tyres, and they probably can't drive. but your auto also isn't stock is it?
i haven't driven a manul yet that you can't snap change (or that you can't change gears without the clutch, both up and down by blipping the throttle at the right rpm). i'm not talking flat change. flat change is not using the clutch and holding the accelerator down, cnap changing is keeping your foot on the gas then kicking the clutch as you change gears, which usually results in frying the rear tyres, and as your clutch gets worn, frying it too.
as for the auto box taking it's time deciding, that depends on what speed you are doing. at certain speeds it will drop back 1 gear then a second half a second later.