Captain Spadaro

So theoretically it's still on the table?

IWantMyNewGT

I'm considering this, Jeff, as I don't really need SYNC. But I would like the upgraded dash from the Premium. I don't like that Ford has bundled what used to be separate options (Leather, IUP, Shaker 500, Sirius) into what is now the Premium package. I am hoping Ford has expanded the options for the base GT from the very short list on the '10s for those who don't want or need everything the Premiums have.

metroplex

I don't buy that because even the Smart has a true automated manual and it costs peanuts compared to the Mustang. Ford is also switching over to automated manuals in the future for some of its models. This isn't the same as a manumatic, which is what we're talking about and that is even easier to incorporate. It's all electronically controlled so you'd just have to give it a + and - control.

Captain Spadaro

High torque DCT transmissions are expensive to design and produce, as any BMW and Porsche exec will tell you. Don't get me wrong, they're fantasic pieces of engineering, but right now they're limited to smaller engines.

metroplex

Understood, but Ford has planned/is planning to implement automated manuals in many of its cars. For the Mustang's automatic, implementing electronic controls to manually upshift or downshift is a matter of connecting a few wires and adding 2 buttons - OR tweaking the floor shifter layout. It wouldn't be a problem either way to implement that feature in a Mustang. I would still get the traditional manual because the manumatic isn't nearly as good as an automated manual.

Overboost

Anyone ever think they're not bringing the SelectShift out until after sales start to slow down? Never come out with all your cards right off the bat...

Captain Spadaro

I had not considered that. I feel silly now.

If Ford makes do what it does in the SHO (like opening the throttle on downshifts), then I'll wait.

RandyW

I don't think it's one the table at all for the 2011 model year. But since the transmission will mechanically support it, Ford could decide to add controls to the cabin in some future year. Although adding those controls wouldn't be a huge expense, it still costs something.

As far as I'm concerned, a car this cool deserves a driver who loves it enough to shift it him/herself. But that's my own personal prejudice.

metroplex

It'd be a dumb strategy, always think ahead and beat out the competition. You'd save money this way by selling more vehicles with the same part. Coming out with a nifty new gadget (that costs $$) when sales slow down only makes it less viable to implement. If they'd debut the 2010 Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8 and manumatic, and the 2010 SVT Raptor with the 6.2, it'd really change the face of competition. This incremental stuff is a waste of time and money.

metroplex

I agree. The manumatics aren't that fast anyhow and that's the only reason to use one of them instead of a traditional clutch and synchronized gearbox. The automated manuals are proven to be faster than a regular manual and that's what you're looking for. Subaru already had a manumatic that revs your downshifts, it's nothing new.

05fordgt

That is what they used in the Fusion Sport, Metro! My last demo was a 2010 Fusion Sport and the manumatic control was great! It NEVER shifted for you, unless you were going so slow that it had to downshift automatically. It would let you bounce off the rev-limiter all day long without shifting. It was all up to the driver. And it was forward for downshift, and back for upshift! It really did work.

metroplex

How much lag was there for the downshifts? I might have to give it a try. I wanted to order a 2010 Fusion Sport AWD but it's $32k MSRP for only 263 hp.

Overboost

The lag really isn't bad for the transmission. We've also got a 2010 Fusion SEL and it has the option as well, which makes it fun if you want to switch it up. For a manu-matic, it's really not bad.

metroplex

I have to try it out then. I've used the manumatics on the G6, Kia Spectra, and VW New Beetle and wasn't impressed with any of them. It took too long to downshift, but the VW New Beetle had some serious engine braking at higher revs - they must have locked up that torque converter tighter than Fort Knox.

Have you driven the older 99-04 GTs with the 4R70W and locked out the Overdrive (effectively forcing it to downshift from 4 to 3)? Would you say the manumatic downshifts on the 2010 Fusion SEL/Sport are the same speed, faster, or slower?

BTW I checked the SEL pricing and it looked like it was only a few hundred bucks less than the Sport.

Overboost

Only reason we didn't get the Sport was because the 402A pkg(?) wasn't available in the Sport yet, so they didn't offer heated seats. The pricing was close, and instead got a Sterling Grey monochrome SEL.

metroplex

I never understood why they avoid giving heated seats on "performance" models of some cars. It's not like it will slow down the car significantly.

Overboost

It was something they offered, but didn't have in at the time we were purchasing the new car. Besides, the color selection for the Sport trim was lacking. IMO, a Sterling Grey Sport would be gorgeous.

michigandevil

If your talking about the Fusion Sport not having heated seats it does have them.

05fordgt

Hey bud, what do you mean the 402A package wasn't available in the Sport at the time? If that is the reason your dealer gave you for not being able to get it, he's full of S**T!!! I say this, as I had a 2010 Fusion Sport 402A package for my demo! It was the 2nd 2010 we got in, back in April, when they were released! No one had even seen a 2010 Fusion on the road, let alone the new Sport and I had one!! My car has every option (including heated seats) except navigation (we don't put that option in demos). It even had the factory-installed remote start. I just sold it on Thursday to a good friend. I'll miss that car as it was the BEST demo I ever had!!!! AWESOME AWESOME CAR!!!!!!

Sorry to say you couldn't get what you wanted. Let me know the reason they gave you.

05fordgt

Hey bud, he means you have to get the Sport in the 402A package. The Sport does NOT come with heated seats standard! Its part of the electronics package that is the main opiton in the 402A package!