Problem being- when I am headed out, and both mustangs are home, I ALWAYS go for my own. Dunno why.

 

I prefer a manual, but wouldn't "look down" on anyone for getting an auto. To each their own.

Mine's not a daily driver, and I don't get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic very often... so a manual is perfect for me. Personally, I love shifting myself!

 

from a racers point of view

manual trans is way faster and more durable on the road race course.
and works out of the box.
(autos overheat and die on the road course) even with aftermarket coolers.

auto trans is by far faster at the drags, if set up correctly
(needs work ie tune/converter)this set up =$$$$$

so if its not your driver and all you do is drag race go auto all the way

for every other situation i can think of a stick is more fun and a better performer


jay

 

Jay you have it right, thank you.The stick on a road course and fun to drive and the auto at the drag race.I have no work done on the auto i have and i beat the sticks all the time at the drags.

 

I always say that it depends how how much you drive, or where you drive. If you dont want the hassle of sifting though the city, and a lot of stop lights on your way to work every day, get the Auto. BUT.. If you dont plan on driving it a lot, when you DO drive it, you are going to want to shift it...

As fo the question "do other guys look down on guys with autos? I think maybe some...but not all....

 

All the racing stuff aside - lets talk quality;

The Tremec TR3650 5speed is, at best, a mediocre transmission. Yes - I own a 5speed Stick in my car. It is temperamental when hot - does not always like to shift smoothly nor without "Catches" in the gates. It's noisey, but a little gear whine doesn't bother me a lot. The clutch is without positive feeling of engagement or disengagement - feels like you stepped on a grapefruit rather than a clutch pedal. The shifter (for factory stuff) is alright and does not vibrate in my car unless I am lugging the engine down below 1500 RPM.
The fuel economy is alright, but the city EPA fuel economy is better I think.
I like driving a stick - which is why I chose it in my car, but I can't help but feel that the automatic car would feel / drive like a higher quality car.

 

I went with the auto since my weekend car has a stick in it (see Avatar area). Besides I'm driving the Stang to work everyday and traffic where I am can be horrible.

 

"The fuel economy is alright, but the city EPA fuel economy is better I think.
I like driving a stick - which is why I chose it in my car, but I can't help but feel that the automatic car would feel / drive like a higher quality car" quoted from Big Foot

having owned both an 06 V-6 auto and a GT Stick. The Auto care does fell like it a higher quality car. As for City MPG. If I baby both cars I get apx the same MPG. I drive suburgs to work Traffic is not that bad here, I ave apx 35 mph per tank. I ave 23.1 on the V-6 and 22.8 on the Gt.

now if I play the GT get a lot worse MPG but its so fun to run it threw the gears, just cant get that same feeling in an auto. I'll take the standard for the FUN factor.

 

I've had my 06 Tungsten GT thats a MANUAL for about 6 months now, and this past weekend my dad rented a GT-H that is conveniently only available in an AUTOMATIC..Driving that thing after my car was like a joke. It couldnt seem to decide when to shift, I mean this is just my $.02 but I think that once you go manual, you never go back.

 

My problem with automatics has always been that the tranny and I are never on the same page during the millisecond moments when conscious thought takes the backseat. Unfortunately, that's when it is most important. The DSG is the only auto that can steal my heart from manuals.

 

MY 05 is the first slushbox stang I've owned in the 8 I've bought since 83. As a daily drive, the auto is a lot more pleasant to live with. On a recent vacation to Denver, we got caught in Denver's gridlock several times, and I didn't miss the stick the least little bit. Same thing driving through the **** construction in Milwaukee yesterday.

Driving up MT Evans, I left it in second during the steepest and tightest corners, comnig down I did the same, until below the tree line when the road becomes more reasonable (and I was more comfortable) and I got on it a lttle harder. It was then I missed the flexibilty (fun) of choosing your own gears. The auto in the stang really needs a autostick type shifter! In a straight line, the auto shifts so quick and fast, I know I'm up to highway speed faster than I ever could shifting my 99 GT. Passing on a two lane is a no brainer.
I don't miss the clutch at all.

 

I had an auto, wife has an auto......I traded my auto in for a Standard. I think the standard is more fun to drive / play with.....

 

My 1998 'Stang had an auto. I hated it. That to me was the number 1 reason I dumped the car for my 2002 'Stang with a stick. I distinctly remember driving home from the dealership with a huge grin on my face proclaiming, "Now THAT's a 'Stang!!!"

When I got my 2005 'Stang, a stick was a no-brainer. To me the car isn't fun with an automatic, pure and simple.

I don't look down on you auto folks but I also think you are missing out.

 

you know your automatic isnt just some other automatic when the tires are spinning through 3rd gear while clearly hearing the chirps upon the gear change. This is thanks to the Precision Industires converter btw.

-Dan

 

Split the difference, get one of each.

Yea, the auto is so simple and boring the village idiot could drive it- I got mine because I wanted one that day,plus Ellie was waiting on me to take her home. Got a manual the second time around.

 

Only insecure, immature people would look down on someone because they chose to drive and automatic, thats pretty stupid.

 

Manual or Automatic comes down to personal perference...period! All mustangs are great. I have a automatic. I don't look down on manual or stick vehicle owners. We should all be happy that we own the new generation mustangs. My next one in 2008 will be a stick though...that way I can say I have one of each.