No flames necessary... your opinion is your opinion, which is absolutely fine. My personal opinion is that a manual transmission, the process of shifting gears yourself, etc. gives you a better sense of connection to the vehicle. It also implies a certain degree of skill and exclusivity as well. Not everyone knows how to drive a manual. With so many auto vehicles these days, it's becoming a lost art. To me, that gives a "manual-only" vehicle an extra sense of exclusivity, and makes me want it that much more. Because not eveyone can drive it, its value increases in my mind.

There are many reasons to have an auto tranny, and I'm sure that a lof of them are good reasons. I just feel that to full experience a high-performance, 450+ horsepower, 0-60 in sub-five-second-range vehicle, manual shifting is a must-have part of the experience.

 

:scratch:
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I'll try to translate, but it seems he's saying that since the 6-speed is made in Mexico, he wouldn't want it.

That's fine, one less person for me to compete with for one.

 

Now it's getting interesting. As of this post it's even, maybe just a touch biased towards the auto option. Which is great. Choice is good (like democracy I guess). Exclusivity by way of limiting the car to manual will only limit sales (if we believe what TTH says about building as many as are ordered) - and the dreams of alot of people who can't (or don't want) to drive a manual.

One more thing.....there's been over 500 or so TMS folks looking at this vote and less than 1/5th taking the time to cast their ballot. Come on everyone, show your support, give Ford something to think about!!

 

I for one chose manual only, my reasons.
1. If your going to go with a manu-matic why not get the whole shebang.
2. Automatics with this kind of power and the propensity of owners to mod will make the transmissions short-lived (comparatively speaking)
3. I like manuals better and there's nothing like shifting it yourself vice the computer doing it for you.
4. IMO the car can be made to handle different ways easier with a manual. Example, when going trough a corner and wish to adjust the cars "attitude" it can be done easier with the manual because the there is no torque convertor to absorb some of the "tip in" power (read; easier to modulate.)

But hey, who am I, If you want an auto by all means get after it, but I think a car like this should be row-your-own only. :worship:

 

I'll try to translate, but it seems he's saying that since the 6-speed is made in Mexico, he wouldn't want it.

That's fine, one less person for me to compete with for one.
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Then I guess that leaves out every American RWD car with a manual. They all use TTC Automotive (manual) transmissions. GTO, Viper, Vette, Mustang.

 

Finally, a really good attempt to make a case for a Manual-only tranny (instead of just someone's personal likes/dislikes). Although I might tend to disagree with you because, as others have said, Ford would limit their market by not offering other tranny options, thus decreasing the value (Remember the whole supply and demand thing...then again, perhaps there is already enought Demand).

I am still waiting for someone to state if offering an automatic tranny (or IRS) as an option would increase the cost of the standard vehicle... So is it safe to assume that Ford recoups all the costs (including R&D) for the options in the price for the option itself?

 

Well that's been my point all along...If someone wants an auto, then give them the option to get it.
But if Ford listened to your vote (and the other 42 people) for Manual Only, then how do you suppose someone get the auto?

 

But if Ford listened to your vote (and the other 42 people) for Manual Only, then how do you suppose someone get the auto?
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You have to look at the big picture. While there are 42 people that say "manual only", there are 51 people who have voted in one of the other "automatic" categories. That's 55% in favor of some type of automatic for the GT500.

EDIT: Check this out:

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102079

Are you out there watching us Ford???

 

I think it's important to also make a distinction between those who would WANT a Shelby with an auto, and those who will ACTUALLY be purchasing a Shelby with an auto.

It may not change the numbers at all, but just wanted to clarify.

 

I think you're right RMac...we would end up with 2 different responses.
For example, I would vote to offer the option of an Auto, but I would vote to PURCHASE a manual (or maybe an SMG style if the price is right).

 

Manuals:

Pro: cheaper, lighter, more efficient, simpler, get to shift it yourself
Cons: gotta shift it yourself, need three legs :-)

Auto:

Pros: you don't gotta shift it yourself (traffic), need only two legs :-)
Cons: costlier, heavier, less efficient, more complex, you don't get to shift it yourself

SMG type:

Pros: efficient, lighting fast shifts, get to shift it yourself but don't gotta, need only two legs :-)
Cons: expensive, more complex, still rather new technology

 

...and the winner iiiiisssssssssssssssssssss..........the SMG Type !!!

 

I think you're right RMac...we would end up with 2 different responses.
For example, I would vote to offer the option of an Auto, but I would vote to PURCHASE a manual (or maybe an SMG style if the price is right).
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I agree, maybe should have put that as one of the choices. But, I was hoping that the "choice" of one or the other would be the issue at hand, not what individuals are actually going to purchase. I'm 2nd on my SVT dealer's list but if the car isn't going to be offered with an auto option, I'm not buying. Period. No question. And it's not that I can't drive a stick - love them actually - but my wife doesn't and there's no way in h.e.l.l. that she'll agree to this thing without an auto. I'm probably not alone. And then there's those who just want an auto for auto's sake. Good for them. All I'm hoping for is choice.

 

I remember spy photos of an SMG system on an '04 Mustang test mule, I wonder what ever came of that? Maybe it was axed by the bean counters just like the IRS.

 

there should definitely be an automatic option.
1st off, most people can't even drive a manual good enough to realize the benefits, 2nd, its nice to just chill and cruise in a powerful car.

i like mercedes AMG philosophy. they see manual trannys as a thing of the past strong efficient auto. tranny's can be as good or better. no AMG car has manual...but then again, it would be even better if there was choice for those who want manual. those guys go get M cars from BMW...

 

Another point well made. Why is it that the Europeans have the technology and the will to put auto's (and in many of their super hi po cars, an auto is the ONLY option) in their cars while on our side of the pond, it's mostly come down to a matter of "to be....or not to be....macho". This (in some peoples minds) seems to be the deciding factor!

Ford is SO on target with this car with this one small exception. Hopefully the next year or so of development, pre-production planning and maybe another quick scan of the demographics will convince them of the viability of the auto option.

 

While I can understang Mercedes/AMGs philosophy, given the refinement, efficiency and effectiveness of modern ATXs, but I still like to have a choice.

Now if that choice were a blazing fast SMG/DSG type tranny... :-)

Also, I wonder what ATX Ford might have on its shelves that would readily plug into the GT500 and Stang chassis, given the 5.4's prodigious outputs.

And also, if they don't have a ready plug-in ATX, might that development money then be better spent on something that would make the GT500 go faster rather than just easier to drive (SMG/DSG, IRS...?)

 

if i could buy a cobra with an auto or SMG then I would. i dont mind changing my own gears, but i just dont like the clutch work.

 

Another point well made. Why is it that the Europeans have the technology and the will to put auto's (and in many of their super hi po cars, an auto is the ONLY option) in their cars while on our side of the pond, it's mostly come down to a matter of "to be....or not to be....macho". This (in some peoples minds) seems to be the deciding factor!


GREED. U.S. Automakers want more bang for their buck. =)

 

Im adding my opinion here.

1. I own an original 67 GT500 that is an automatic.
It came from the factory that way.

2. My Old Man would like to buy a NEW GT500. He had a bicycle accident about 10 years back (we used to ride) and broke his hip-

He can no longer drive stick shift cars-

I believe there are alot of older men who for one reason or another can not drive stick shift, who would love to own a GT500-

and if Ford really is reading this-

For the most part old guys have more money then young guys-

I dont see any autocatic MACHs left on the lot because dealers cant get rid of them-



Do I love banging gears?

Yes

Do I want to deny someone the right to own a GT500 just because they cant?

NO

Besides that automatics built right are faster then 6 speeds in the 1/4 mile anyways.

I say build 20% of them automatics.