Glad to see this question come right from Buck. None of those points Jeff made play any bearing on what I look for in an auto. At least not in as simple a form.
How quickly it deploys, the sound, or recoil matters not to me...
I would buy it to use it, not play with so what's important to me is:
1) Serviceability - can I thoroughly clean it myself with absolute certainty?
2) Lock-up - does the blade lock open with enough rigidity to give me confidence in using it for the task at hand?
3) Blade cross section - With a single cutting edge, is the thickest part of the blade nearer the center, or the spine?
Perfect auto for me would
1) have one side scale removable to ensure dust, lint, sinew, etc... could be thoroughly cleaned.
2) have a 1 to 1.25" blade height with the thickest point being the spine.
3) lock up tight, with absolute confidence. Minute side to side blade movement i can handle so long as the blade stays open until I'm done with it.
So... My idea of a winner? Make a 110 with an aluminum or Ti frame with the mechanics fixed to one frame half so I can remove the other for maintenance. Has to be a little lighter for me to pack it every day.
Better yet, make it with a 112 or 500 and I'll but 2. An auto is intimidating to the sheep, no sense in making it with a blade longer than 2.75 or 3"
My $0.02, don't spend it all in one place...