I dunno about MT Vtecs, but i DO know that the ordinary 1.5l Exi model that came to SL had a manual gearbox option which was pretty popular... My mother got one from office when the car was first launched.... in 2000 or 2001 i think, and even then her office alone bought 6 cars, all Manual Transmission
Well about the model in general, i dont know enough to compare it to the EK Series beause i havent driven any EK's for any length of time, but we have had two ES8 in our family since it was launched (2001 manual and 2003 Auto, both brand new, Exi model) and i can say very good car..
to answer the general questions,
Fuel Consumption (Actual Experience) - Manual, Colombo 9-10 Km/l, Outstation, 12Km/l
Auto 6.5-7Km/l Colombo and 9km/l outstaition
It rides extremely well for a car of the class, and also handles pretty tidily, though it's height compared to the Ek is a bit of a problem it grips pretty well.
as for pulling power, it'll easily outrun any other car of the same category whether manual or auto, we made it once from matara to colombo on a saturday afternoon, in 2 hours and 15 minutes, with my MOTHER driving!!!
so if you can stretch your budget, you should seriously consider the ES8, whatever model, it may not be as "cool" as an Eg or Ek, but it'll serve you better in the long run... plus, prices for ES8's havent been artificially blown up by their popularity, nlike the Eg/Ek!
Hope this was useful
Cheers
S_N