I think people that have sports cars with stick own them for the enjoyment. I think people that have sports cars with automatics own them for the looks and stature.

I'm all for personal preference. Mine...manual, but I fully understand those that sit in rush hour, have bad knees, etc. have a "need" for an automatic. I'll still rib ya though.

 

Money in my pocket from not getting the automatic: $995 dollars

Annual savings from improved fuel economy: $50 dollars (ballpark)

Better rev control, less drivetrain loss, and never having to start a sentence with the words "Yeah I went with the automatic:" Priceless :drive:

 

I can't believe they charge an extra Grand for the auto. They should be offering huge rebates to try to entice people to buy them. That still wouldn't work for me. It's got to be manual even if its the V6. (I've owned two V6 manuals)

 

someone wanan teach me to drive a manual? noone here will and i'm not learning on a new car.

 

You're so right! Especially since the slush box is faster down the quarter than the stick!

 

Kevin, first of all, congratulations on starting another thought-provoking thread. In the short time it has been on the boards, it has seen hundreds of hits and provoked several responses. Well done!

I think it's great that you're happy with your decision to purchase an automatic. Although I am a survivor of rush hour traffic on the Long Island Expressway, I would still opt for the manual tranny. Just a preference. I firmly believe that driving a car with a manual transmission is more interactive and thus, more rewarding. Automatics tend to make me feel more like a spectator than a participant. Shifting makes me feel more engaged in the activity of driving.

HOWEVER, there are times when I regret it... such as while using the cell phone (should get a hands-free unit) or when I want to sip my coffee. Still, it's a small price to pay for having the reassuring control a manual transmission provides!

PS - That torch red 'Stang of yours is a thing of beauty...

 

heh, well put !

 

I my :drive:. I don't have as much traffic as I did when I lived in DC (and I still drove a stick then too). But here I drive in some slow traffic going up hill. That is a pain sometimes. But I wouldn't trade it for an auto. Not bashing the people that like autos, to each his own. For me; no dissapointments or regrets.

 

Due to my much accelerated entry into the mustang owners world compliments of the wrecked bronco.......I had to get an auto cause it was then or buy a new truck. I chose impractical.

I am not unhappy with it being auto per se, but its not a stick and that kinda blows.Not as much fun to drive, cant peel off.......

 

Here's a question for you manual-or-die types:

If you had a weekend/fair weather Mustang with lots of performance mods and a manual tranny, would you still get a manual for your (2 1/2 hours a day of rush hour traffic) commuter 05 GT?

 

My minivan is an automatic. The GT I ordered will be a manual. I couldn't imagine myself not getting a manual for a car like this, even with Long Island traffic. Even if the cost of the automatic were the same it would be a no brainer. IMO it just adds so much to the driving experience. But to each his own...

 

Yes.

 

If I had my choice, I would have

05 GT - In permanent heated storage (an investement sure to outperfrom the 401K)

05 GT - Stick to drive when I choose to drive it - For the sheer enjoyment of it

05 GT - Automatic - for the 4 hours a day stuck in Chicago traffic

05 GT Convertible - for the rare 5 days of perfect weather in Chicago

66 Shelby GT350R - another investment - and for an annual trip to the track

that is, if money was no object and I had a place to store them all

 

However in reality, I chose a stick because it was the only choice.

 

What he said.


Manual all the way...

 

Beyond the fact that I think the manual is fun to drive, I think the auto shifter just looks "wrong" in there for some reason. But, I understand why some people prefer it.

 

For a mustang get a 5speed there aint no other way to get it.

 

When I order my GT (next week if all goes well...), it will have the stick. I test drove a GT auto (about 40 miles of mountainous country...!) over Thanks Giving (only GT they had). Before I drove the automatic, I was FIRMLY in the no slush box no way in heck! camp. After the drive, I REALLY had to sit down and think about it. A lot.

This car will be my daily driver. And the automatic is the best automatic I have ever driven. Period. But after thinking about for a while, I came to the solid realization that I want a SPORTS car. Thats why it will have a stick and it will also be a nice, bright RED.

But that is STILL a VERY good slush box! I wonder if I could squeeze one into my '81 F100... I might have to tose that 24V V-8 in it as well to get everything to bolt up...

 

To be honest, first week i had regrets (it's been 8 years since I've driven a manual full time). As each day passes, it gets sweeter and sweeter.

For those who drive a lot in stop and go traffic on hills, what are your secrets.

 

Manual all the way, I couldn't picture myself in this car with an automatic.