Just want to see what people think of the new 5 speed automatic feature. Personally, I prefer standard, but I have been hearing that if you are not that great with a standard (such as a professional driver) that you would actually get faster response times with the new automatic. What does everyone else think.

 

I prefer the automatic to the standard. I live in an area where I would spent the my entire trip going somewhere going between 1st and 2nd and other than that I I figure the computer in the transmission knows what its doing much better than me anyway.

 

If I stilled lived where there was lots of traffic and commuting, it'd be tempting to get the auto, especially since it's a 5-speed. tanding on the clutch in 1 hour of rush our traffic can be tiring.

A manual can be a little more "fun" because it requires more interaction, though. I guess it all depends on what you want.

 

Manual, Manual, Manual.

Autos are for lazy Corvette owners. :notnice: [Dons flame suit]

 

I agree.
I got an auto for my stang because of Stop/Go traffic....

It all depends how/where you drive your car.

The new stang won't be so bad as it has a hydraulic-assited clutch.
Little easier on the leg.

 

The auto is probably close to the manual in performance. It won't accelerate quite as fast, since there is no such thing as a zero-loss torque converter, but it will be close. If you're even asking, get the auto.

The only place a manual is a real advantage is racing. A skilled driver can get off the line faster with a clutch, and a manual is much better for autocross because you can downshift at the right time in a corner instead of waiting for the transmission to react.

 

We've discussed this a billion times, and my opinion hasn't changed. Manual in every situation for me, period.

 

only place an auto should be bought is the big cities with a lot of rush hour traffic. Or San Francisco b/c of the hills... Auto is best in hilly areas so you don't accedently hit someone (unless you're going downhill, then it's fun as heck)

 

Also the auto has 3.31s the GT manual has 3.55s

The 3.31 are also in the V6s auto/manual.

 

After some 36+ years of driving sticks, I bought an auto in my Mustang because of traffic in Southern California. I had sticks in both Seattle and San Francisco. I wouldn't do it again with a daily driver.

Now that I live in a small town in Northern California where traffic is less of a concern, I still prefer the auto, and my next Mustang will have one as well.

I don't care about the 3.31's vs the 3.55's. My car has 3.27's and performs just fine for me on the street. I don't go to the track, so that doesn't matter to me.

It'll be interesting to see the minimal performance differences between the stick and the auto in the new Mustang.

For me, the best of both worlds would be a 5 speed manumatic. We may see that in the future in the Mustang. I'd gladly pay for it as an option.

 

The 5 speed auto in the 05 stang has a taller 1st gear than the old 4 speed auto.

1st gear in the 5R55S = 3.23:1

1st gear in the 4R70W = 2.84:1

So between the extra torque (especially at low RPM) the 05 auto will probably have pretty good response off the line.


2.84 x 3.27 = 9.29:1 - - 1st gear x rear end 04 Stang Auto

3.23.31 x 3.31 = 10.69 x .945 (correction for larger diameter tires on 05) = 10.1 :1

So at an effective 1st gear ratio of 10.1 vs 9.29 the 05 has a 9% torque multiplication advantage. PLUS the 05 has at least 20 lb ft more torque.

04 = 9.29 x 302 = 2806

05 = 10.1 x 325 = 3283 - we pretty much know the 320 lb ft is under rated

This all says the 05 auto will have almost 20% more oomph off the line than the 04.

 

Wardog :flame2:

 

5-speed automatic all the way. Only good drivers with normal feet can enjoy manual in every situation. So those of you that can are lucky.

 

1st and 2nd gear the whole way? might be faster to ride a bicycle.

 

I'll have to drive them. If I go with a vert though, definately automatic, I have to drive a vert with my left hand on the corner of the windshield. B)

 

You obviously need more practice using your knees to keep the wheel steady while you shift with your right hand.....left hand can stay on windshield.

 

Driving with your knees is very fun... freaks people out though...

Manumatic! Sounds fun... Have a button that allows you to switch between the 2, and on the shifter, after the last gear, have reverse, then just D. That would be for the Auto, and the 1-5 gears would be for manual. It's a great marketing idea!

 

I had a dream about that dude. My sister had a auto car and It was able to be standard too. I doubt that will happen.
Manual for life B)

 

Would be nice, that car would be a best selling one for sure...

Especially if it used Hydrogen or water instead of ditry expensive gas!

 

Hydrogen.........umm I thought it was HIGHLY unstable.

If you get in an accident.....I would not trust that one bit. It'll be Hindenburg 2......or whatever it was called.