Better on gas? From what I used to do with my 5-speed and what I read here, I don't think better gas mileage is a benefit.

 

Actually, if you look at the EPA ratings, the Auto gets better gas milage than the stick...

 

I responded to this thread almost one whole year ago. My feelings are the same, if not even stronger now. I always loved grabbing second around a corner and shoving the throttle to the floor, slam it into third and your off. I had mastered the reaching around with my right hand to shift, steer, use the blinkers ect, while drinking or eating with my left.

But I never knew how much fun and how relaxing driving can be. I'm less stressed on the freeway now. Used to shift first, second, neutral, stop, reapeat about a gazillion times. Now I just tap the gas, alternate to the brake about a gazillion times. No more guessing if I should downshift one or two gears to jump into another lane. No more embarassing slipping it into 5th when you wanted to power into 3rd. It's fantastic. I think I get more enjoyment now with the auto than I ever did in a stick.

I still wish I could get a comfy and cool shift ball though. That remains my only regret over getting an auto over a stick.

 

My 2001 GT convertible was an auto. I loved that car, but I found myself shifting the auto lever all the time. There were countless days when I wished I had a stick, as I felt that it's sportier than the auto. For me, the auto was the only regret I had about that car. So...today when I pick my new 06 GT convertible up, it will have the 5 speed.

 

Where do you get this idea? The EPA lists the GT AUTO AT 18/23 CITY/HIGHWAY, while the manual gets 17/25. Since most people do mixed driving, the stick has the edge on overall mileage (not to mention fun)

 

I have an Auto and it's loads of fun. I also live in one of the most congested parts of the country and the drivers are worse. If someone gets pulled over the entire interstate will come to a standstill..that's how bad it is here. Now I have never actually driven a manual car and would like to learn. I didn't have a problem with getting an Auto Mustang because they are traditionally drag cars. I also read that this Auto is superfast and smooth and it really is...i'm willing to bet that a lot of manual drivers would have trouble keeping up with the new auto. It just soars. Ideally I would like to have the best of both worlds so i'm saving for a manual Porsche 911

 

yeah, no regrets

 

No regrets here either, Love it! And I'm usaully a manual guy

 

I love AT because you just have to smash the pedal to leave everyone behind.

 

maybe he was just looking at city

 

I don't regret having an auto, but eventually (once this car is no longer the daily ride) i'll look into a built motor and manual trans, perhaps swap them out or something, but thats a few years down the road

 

I have had my auto GT for over a year now and do not have one regret. I love the car. She puts a smile on my face, and gets my heart pumping every time I hear those Flowmasters singing. The car is A+++.

 

I'll give the manual credit on that....it does sound a bit better. But the flip side to that is it's noisier in general as you get tranny noise coming out of the hole.

As for the gas mileage I'm sure it all depends on driving style. Same goes for tires! I know how I am with a manual....I used to do smokies with a SHO (can't steer!) With an automatic I'm less inclined to do that in the Mustang GT, it's just as fast as the manual but less drama. I've gotten to be a scrooge on tires after replacing a few at $150 each LOL.

 

Auto:

Pros:

- Easier driving in heavy trafffic. Easier driving in general.

- No worries about burning up a clutch.

- Quieter, if you like the car quieter.

- Consistency at the track. If you run a time with an auto WOT, you'll likely run the same time again, give or take a few thousandths. It takes less skill to get a consistent dial-in. However, a manual can be just as consistent as an auto, it just takes a higher skill level.

Cons:

- It tacks another $1,000 onto your bill.

- Not as loud as a manual, if you like your car louder.

- Slight loss of gas mileage due to increased powertrain losses. Moreso of a loss with the V6, as the V6 manuals are 3.31 gears, not 3.55 like on the manual GT.

- Loss of performance control over the car.

- Contrary to what some auto owners here are claiming, the automatic tranny IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE as fast as an identical manual. No way, no how. The powertrain loss alone is enough to put you behind.

- Slight weight gain/nose heavy.

- Respect loss. Like it or not, there will always be some ****** who make fun of you for owning an auto.

It comes down to what you want. If you do a bunch of city driving or using a clutch is out of your realm of motor cordination, go for the auto. If you want better performance (and a higher gear ratio), more control over your car in the turns, and think you can get a manual to be consistent on the track, go for the manual. Just don't purchase an auto and expect it to perform as well as a manual. It won't.