I'm of two minds about the whole autoattack thing.

Like anything in FFXIV that's unique, it'd be sad to see it go, but it might be for the better. The implementation of it would significantly enhance class uniqueness (i.e. letting a Marauder feel like they're swinging slow and powerful swings because the swings are actually slow and powerful) and would make balancing a bit easier (autoattack speed would make a great "tuning knob" for class balance, to quote a developer from another game.)

Lastly, while it would require a complete overhaul (which is coming either way), it could allow the developers to better balance things like Weapon Skills and abilities from the stamina bar.

I just really, really, REALLY hope the stamina bar doesn't go the way of the dodo (and I don't mean killed for a leve, I mean extinct). It's one of the most unique and interesting things about this game and it has a lot of potential with abilities and weapon skills, even if basic attacks are removed from the stamina bar. It could even have more potential without things like Heavy Strike or Light Slash.
I also really hope it's not the lazy way out with "okay, autoattack is now simply Heavy Strike being used constantly until you toggle it off, and it's just gonna eat through your stamina bar." That would be awful.

((the title of this post is me trying to figure out the tagging system for the forums))