My father and I went to the dealer the other day, and he wants me to trade my 2010 in on the 2012 Race Red cali special they have sitting on the lot. I REALLYYYYYYYY want a manual (test drove it and LOVED it), but the tranny issues have me worried. I have been reading and hear about more and more people running into issues with their manual. I went to another dealer last night and found a 2012 grabber blue cali special AUTO with the glass roof, hids, and comfort package. My MAIN question is, are the problem with the manual worth holding back on? I mean I dont want to buy a brand new car and have shifting issues, so maybe the auto is the way to go?.?.... I really wanted a manual cause I love being able to choose your own gear and choosing when YOU want to shift, but the issues have me a little worried.

Also I have read that people are blowing cyl #8, have gotten a bad engine tick after their first oil change, and some are also burning oil (some bad, some only minor). Has anyone on here run into these issues??

 

I haven't had any motor problems in my 2011 GT manual but with in the last two weeks I've been having an issue with my tranny making whining sounds while it's in gear... Took it in Monday and they told me they would have to break it down and find the issue why it's making those sounds.. My car has 10,900 miles on it right now and it's just know messing up.. But if i was you I would wait till the 2013 came out so it will give them time to work this issues out they been having with the 11s and 12s

 

Its your call but me personally I would wait. I just dont have any confidence the trans issues have been worked out. Best of luck on what ever you decide to do.

 

First time poster. But, I've been lurking for a bit.

grabber blue, I was in a similar position to you about two months ago. Really wanted a 12 GT/CS MT, but kept reading about all the tranny issues. I ended up pulling the trigger despite everything I have read. There is no doubt some 2011-2012 GT MT owners are having some major issues, but I'm not convinced its statistically significant... at least more than normal. Maybe I'm an optimist, but who knows. I don't think any one will really have an idea of how much of an issue there is with the tranny until the NHTSA finishes their investigation and shows their final numbers. And who knows when that will be? Anyways, I'm about three weeks from delivery - and will find out for myself. I just tried to keep an open mind... People who have catastrophic problems are the ones who are going to make the most noise (rightfully so). But, in the same breath, people who don't have any issues, probably aren't going to run on-line, join a forum, just to say that they love their cars (some do, obviously, but there is undoubtedly a different motivation there). Anyways... thats just my .02

Good luck with your decision!

 

Guys not to sound condescending but do you believe everything you read on the Internet? There are a few, handful of people who have had issues, and I don't fully believe it's not there fault. As far as the trans, I'm puttin 600 to the wheels with zero issues as are others. People like jmatero who have gone thru three trans.....come on please....he either has the worst luck on earth or he's doing something wrong period. I have been saying most of the issue with the notch shifting etc is due to a very chinzy bracket assembly. Let's see...other issues....shhh the dreaded number 8! Over zealous tuning, bumped timing, and hot hot weather.....BOOOOM. Guys these are great cars, I'm not quite sure what your gonna wait for.....this is the best production stock mustang ever produced. You will love it. Buy one and join the club. Btw if you lurk on the challenger, camaro sites, you will find just as many people complaining about all kinds of problems. You rarely ever hear from a satisfied customer, but you'll never stop hearing it from a customer with a problem.

 

I have had my 2011 Manual Brembo car over a year now, and with over 25,000 miles on it now couldn't be happier. I have had not one single issue with the tranny or engine.
I think the cylinder 8 issue was caused by the BAMA tune which recalibrated the knock sensors. I got a fantastic tune from Justin at VMP, and this car is a rocket! Breaks the tires loose 1st-2nd shift, and chips 3rd! He told me he does not take any risks with knock sensors, and SCT highly recommends VMP tuning.
So if you want a manual, go get it! I think you will be very pleased!

 

If I were you I would wait to see what comes of the NHTSA investigation or buy the auto. There may or may not be a serious problem with the MT82 but $30k plus is allot of money so why take the chance.

 

I've got 10.5k trouble free miles from my manual transmission thus far. It is a bit notchy, but that is an easy fix as stated above. I'd say go for it......... Hell it comes with a warranty anyhow so worse case you get it fixed. Get what you want, drive it, and enjoy it. You could always look at a Shelby and get a different trans.

 

I kinda think we only hear of a handful of problems & concentrate on that. Since we don't hear of say the 99% of the non-issues, it has people worrying? I don't know anything about everything!! This is just my opinion. Wasn't there a poll of this a while back. Nope, it was who had #8 issues; not tranny's. Maybe someone needs to start that? I'm a tickled pink automatic driver!!

I say if the $'s right, buy!!!! Don't delay the happiness it will bring! If you go out looking for crap to happen, it will. Again, my opinion.

 

Couldnt have said it better myself. Go get it and enjoy yourself man.

 

Nobody comes on here and starts threads about how great their transmission has been. I bought mine six weeks ago, knowing full well that there was a NHTSA investigation and a TSB out there. Why? Because the problem appears isolated to a few cars, because I believe Ford will take care of me with it, and because I bought an extended powertrain warranty. Cost me $500 to extend the warranty from 5/60,000 to 7/100,000.

Buy it and enjoy it.

 

+1 buddy

 

 

Ima not saying there bad cars at all, I love mine the power these have stock are sick.. Ima just having issues with the whining in my tranny.. Can't get it in the shop till the 1st to have them tear it apart to look at it but they said they prob will have to replace it

 

Since the 2013 model year is fast approaching, I would be waiting to see what improvements are offered, as well seeing if any mechanical changes are going to be made in the area of the shifter or internals of the manual.

In fact, I am waiting, continuing to enjoy the 2010 GT I now have.

 

another +1. Remember that along with the forum community, the vocal minority will be the loudest. Don't give the "issues" more than their real weight.

You test drove the manual and loved it you say. You've got cold feet and you're looking to talk yourself out of it. Like it's been said; if the $ is right, do it. If not, 2013 refresh is right around the corner if you have the patience.

 

I guess all of your opinions are right. The car comes with a warranty for a reason and if something does go wrong its ford job to fix it. I loved driving the manual (this was my first time driving one and didnt stall!!!!) compared to my auto so I think if I get a good enough deal on this I might just go for it. The red cali special in the dealer doesnt have the 3.73's like I wanted but its the color I like and has hid/security pakage, comfort package, and shaker 1000.

When is the 2013 supposed to come out? I would DEFINITELY rather have one of them if the wait isnt to long, and I could also order this way I get everything I want and not the things I dont want.

 

It'll be out in the spring. Unless you're worried about a couple tenths of a second acceleration improvement, take the slightly better gas mileage of the 3.31 gears and be happy.

 

Well it grinded going into 5th once while I was test driving it, so I want to drive it again and see if it happens again, and this time take it for a much longer test drive to see how the tranny performs. The 3.73's was something I wanted, but like you said I could probably deal without and take the better gas mileage. My 2010 now has 4.10s and it's a beast compared to when it had the stock 3.31's but it also does 2500rpm at 70. They also have a white cali special with 3.73's that I would like to test drive if the tranny feels weird on the red one, or if it grinds again.

 

I was in the same boat as you. I always had cars with manuals but I talked myself into going auto this time. Big mistake. I'm bored out of my mind with it. Don't get me wrong, the auto works beautifully from a dead stop going full throttle, but just driving around in a line of traffic, or on a twisty backroad I'm really missing being able to shift for myself.

I think the changes for the 2013 model year are supposed to be announced very soon (as in 3 weeks or so). I'd just sit tight and see what's coming up, then make your decision. Bottom line, if you're used to driving stick, you'll probably regret getting the auto as it currently exists (no paddle shifters, auto-stick, etc.) My $0.02 anyway.