No Doug is right, a manual would be nippier but... not being familiar with how to get the most out of that autobox (which you aren't Zac mate) will have made a difference.
It's true though, she ain't a racecar
Where the autobox is really good is when I'm cruising round town or down to a laning weekend (especially now I've fitted the lockup switch) and when she's offroad, especially rock crawling.