Hi all. I will be purchasing a new mustang GT in the next couple months. This will be my first new car. I have never before drove a stick shift, however I am thinking about getting one in my new mustang. It seems like the manual would be more fun in what will be my first sports car.

My question is will a manual be harder to control in winter driving? I live in Wisconsin and snow and ice are a part of daily life in the winters.

Although I have never drove a manual it seems that it might be easier to control than an auto in the winter. I base this reasoning on the fact that the driver could shift earlier (at lower RPMS) than in an auto.

Any more experienced driver's opionions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ben

 

driving a manual in snow isn't difficult, roll off the clutch slowly, or start off in higher gear (2nd vs. 1st) you should be alright... and watch the downshifting, no crazy stuff on black ice and you should be alright. Driving a standard is much more fun then driving automatic, you just have to be more "connected" to how the car is acting. I've always owned sticks and wouldn't trade em for the world, well maybe if someone offered me a free 05 stang auto... but only if it were free
I'd still have to buy a standard though lol

hope this helps...

 

I was tempted to get a manual, even though I still am mustang-less. Mustangs need manuals, they just complete the overall mustang experience, in my opinion at least.

 

I've driven a V-8 manual Mustang in the winter. I don't have much problem doing it, but I've been driving V-8 manuals for about a dozen years.

If you want my recommendation, don't drive your Stang in the winter at all. If you can afford a brand new Mustang, you can probably also afford a $1000 beater truck for crappy weather. That is what I will be doing.

Granted, I know that Wisconsin is like Michigan in the sense that even days which start out as sunny can turn to snow, so you do have to be prepared to drive in snow, I just wouldn't recommend trying to do it all winter long in a Mustang.

This is more due to the fact that the Mustangs are so light in the back than anything. Sure, there is traction control, but that won't fix everything.

Lastly, I heartily recommend finding someone who has a crappy standard shift car, and getting them to show you how to drive it. A car with 320 ft-lbs of torque is not to be taken lightly, snow or not, and you could easily burn your clutch up if you try learning to drive manual in the Mustang. Those are just my opinions, but I have owned 50+ cars, so I've driven quite a few different vehicles in the winter.

 

The manual is better than the automatic if driven properly even in snow .For years I have driven both and prefer the standard over the auto if I have a choice .One of the first questions I asked was the front to rear weight ratio for the mustang .The reason was the same for driving in snow and ice ,the more weight up front for a rear wheel drive car the less weight in the back to give the tires traction .The mustang for 05 is very good I belive its 53% for the front and 47% for the rear ( don't have the spec book in front of me but I belive thats correct ) and some where I read in the forums that the mustang was the best rear wheel drive they (the engineers ) have ever driven in snow !!For me this car will be mostly a summer driver only ....but if it has to run in the winer I want to make sure it can handle it if it has too.

 

My mistake here it is 52% front 48% rear ...even better.

 

Auto vs. manual in the winter should not be the reason to choose one or the other IMO. There are good arguements for both in the winter.

I say, choose what you'd rather have on any given weekday or weekend during better weather.

From what you've said, I'd say that you should get a manual.

 

I live in Pittsburgh where there is snow and hills. Adds that little twist of trying to start from a dead stop while going up hill.

All in all, I find it ok. You just have to take caution and run a few stop signs. I hate when they put a stop sign on a steep slope. But since most areas I drive in is backroads, there isn't much traffic (or cops).

 

I live in Wisconsin too, and had a 1999 Mustang GT with AOD that I sold a year ago to get my 03 Cobra. Both drive fine in the snow, IF you get snow tires. Without snow tires, I found that both of them were flat out dangerous in the snow. The stock tires do not get good traction in the snow.
So, choose what makes you happy, get a set of extra rims and snow tires, and you will be fine.
Dave

 

I don't care if the '05 is the best-ever in the snow. Its still a rear-wheel drive sports car. Once I get the new one next spring, there will be a winter ride in the driveway as well. Actually, I am shopping for a winter ride right now.

As for sitck vs. automatic? Drive a stick and get what ever one you like the best.

 

I've lived in Michigan, up state New York & Indiana, so I have had my share of snow driving. I now live in Tennessee. I didn't get my first Mustang until I moved down here. I would love to have a front wheel drive beater to drive in the winter but then again our winters aren't to bad & don't last near as long. Iwould have never had a Mustang as my primary vehicle up north. I have a 5 speed now & am getting an automatic 05 GT. I think we are going to keep the 2000 5 speed so if one does get me to work safely I'll park it & take the other. I think an old front wheel drive beater would be a good 2nd car to have for those who live up North.

 

I currently drive a RWD 1982 LTD (A Big Boat). I understand that the mustang might be a little worse because of the shorter wheel base and the increased HP. But really how much worse could it be?

 

Manuals are better in snow in my opinion. You may have to start off in 2nd gear at times if the snow is deep and you are slipping too much in 1st. But at least you have more control than an auto.

 

My 97 Thunderbird LX, 4.6 V8 Likes to Break the Tires Loose when the Road is Dry, and when it's Wet, it LOVES to Break Em Loose Even More! Of course it's an Automatic, Ford hasn't built a V8 Manual Thunderbird in Decades. If I lived up North I'd probably go with an Automatic so I could have the Traction Control as a Backup, But I want a 5 Speed Manual in My 05!

 

Once you learn to drive a standard transmission, you'll find that it's actually much better in the snow, as YOU have control over the gear selection. Otherwise, the car might have a tendency to upshift too soon, before you've achieved proper traction.

You DON'T WANT that in the snow, because getting up into too high a gear can easily cause you to lose control once the car gets going.

With standard, you can use the engine to slow the car by downshifting, thereby lessening the use of the brakes to slow the vehicle. As you've probably already learned, sudden braking is the fastest way to go into an uncontrolled skid on slippery roads.

Combined with the Traction Control (which I believe is also available with the manual transmission) you will have a fighting chance on slippery roads.

But I agree with other posters here. If it starts to snow significantly, park the Mustang. It's too nice a car to risk. Remember, even if you know how to drive properly, there are a lot of idiots on the road who don't have any idea how to drive in inclement weather. Then there's the issue of subjecting your new baby to all that road salt and grime.

Get a beater, bum a ride, or use public transportation until the worst of the snow is gone.

The last thing anyone on this forum will want to look at is a wrecked '05 Stang!

 

Just what I was going to say, a bit of snow and most of the world forgets how to drive!

I've got an Auto. If you are starting on snow, all you do is take your foot off the brake and you are moving. With a stick, if you rev just a little too much, your wheels are spinning and the back end is coming round! No-one likes to be a passenger in a car when they are in the driving seat!

 

I know what you mean. If it is raining, I can break loose driving up hill in my driveway (on blacktop).

 

I've gotta disagree guys. With an automatic, you just release the brake pedal and the car starts moving slowly. There is no need to think about synchronizing engine speed to ground speed, clutch release to throttle position. Just drive feeding more throttle as available traction permits.

Like the five speed stick, the '05 auto will be a five speed, but will have a faster thinking, computer controlled tranny which will be near Luxus quality. The old days of a pure sports car requiring a stick are gone. What will be interesting to see is how much faster the auto is down the 1/4 mile with a driver of ordinary skills!

 

True, but how about the natural tendancy of an automatic to coast, requiring the need for braking which in slippery situations can reduce your ability to stear.

Manual trannies have the advantage of engine braking which can be utilized effectively in the winter.

Which is why I said, both auto and manual have their own respective advantages and disadvantages in the winter. I don't think there is a clear winner.

I've driven manuals and autos in the winter. I don't think that its too big a deal driving either.

 

True, but how about the natural tendancy of an automatic to coast, requiring the need for braking which in slippery situations can reduce your ability to stear.

Manual trannies have the advantage of engine braking which can be utilized effectively in the winter.

Which is why I said, both auto and manual have their own respective advantages and disadvantages in the winter. I don't think there is a clear winner.

I've driven manuals and autos in the winter. I don't think that its too big a deal driving either.[/b][/quote]
Don't forget, autos can be downshifted too. I don't remeber if the '05 auto has an electric OD button, but if it does, this is especially convenient when seeking some gentle compression brakeing.

In the end, it is driver's skill that ranks supreme.