OK, so this subject was beat to death but it seems that the 6R80 might be a better trans than the MT82 right now. I came really close to buying a Job 1 '11 5.0 with the stick but didn't when all of the "issues" started cropping up. I'm hesitant to buy an auto for obvious reasons and have not owned an auto car in 20 years but am starting to lean that way. And I'm getting tired of the rush hour clutch shuffle.

Pros
-It is a truck trans and can handle the torque.
-It's been around a while and is proven.
-More consistent at the strip (I know a stick is a better choice on a twisty)
-Several have run well into the 12's with the 6R80.
-Not made in China.

Cons
-It's not a stick and Mustangs *should* have sticks.
-Limited stock gear choices (although the 3.15 & 4.17 1st gear is steeper
than the MT82 w/ 3.55)
-No Brembo's.
-No Select shift.
-It's not a cool.

It just seems that Ford is not solving the MT82 concerns like the clutch issue, the 1-2 shift. If the '12s come with select shift, hmmmm.

I'd really like to get a '12 and hopefully the issues are fixed but a local dealer has a base '11 5.0 auto in one of the colors I'd like relatively cheap.

It just seems like I'd be commiting sacrilage with an auto but in some ways it makes sense. What to do?

 

After owning 5 stick shift Mustangs over the years, I don't regret buying my '07 GT with an automatic one bit as it is quicker at the dragstrip than the manuals I run against all the time at our two local tracks. Makes managing all that power (about 490hp at the crank) so simple & consistent.

If I were buying an '11/'12 GT it would be an automatic without even hesitating. It's the better trans right now and not made in China as you noted!

 

If I could go back in time, my car would definitely be an automatic.


With that said, does anyone want to buy an 11GT with 700 miles on it? HaHa

 

My '11 GT is bad to the bone. 12.21 @ 116 w/ drag radials, spare tire and subwoofer in the trunk, and a 315lb driver. I haven't been back since putting in 3.73's. Heck, I might be in the high 11's now with my suspension mods. I've got 9k miles worth of fun, spirited driving. No regrets on the auto.

 

To the OP,
You have to get what YOU like. I have an early made '11 (4/10) and haven't had any clutch issues and my MT-82 shifts smooth. It’s not perfect and no Manual is. Just because you see people with problems on the internet doesn’t mean EVERYONE has a problem. I test drove an auto first and was not impressed compared to the fun factor of the M6. Wheel hop is another story; it’s very bad on my car. A manual is just MORE FUN. This is coming from a person who daily drove and raced an SVT Lighting for 10 years. The auto was easy at the track yes, but when the auto breaks it cost way too much to fix/rebuild and that was a 4 speed. To rebuild that Auto (4r100) was about the cost of a brand new T-56. I’m not trying to argue which is better; I am just saying why I went M6. Autos are great for the track.

 

FivePoint0,

I agree that the internet is not the place to base fact most times. But it appears that Ford has acknowledged there is an issue.

And you are right, there are good ones out there.

It seems that Ford got their act together with this auto though. I should go drive one with the auto and that might make up my mind either way.

 

What don't you like about it?

 

Personally i think this car is so amazing that the forum is forced to nitpick over small things.

job 1 car built in late june, my clutch works fine at redline. 1-2 shift is butter 97% of the time and when its not, put a little force behind it..problem solved.

I'm a manual fanatic tho, i'd buy a minivan if it were 5 speed.

 

And after thinking about it, here is my issue with the MT82.

It seems like the old days of the T-5 are coming back just manifesting themselves in a new platform. A trans with some inherent issues.

I used to race and broke quite a few T-5s to the point where I could get one out and back in in my sleep. And with the alleged "issues" with the MT82, I'm having flashbacks.

Recently, I made contact with a couple of my Mopar buddies from my racing past who have SRT8s. They go out occassionally and I am feeling the itch again. Nothing hard core, just having fun.

I don't want to relive the past by picking up parts and rebuilding stuff in the wee hours of the morning before going to work the next day.

 

The specs are already out for the 2012 Mustangs. If they were going to be available with Select Shift, we'd already know about it. For myself, a manual is way more fun, but you should get what you want. You don't have to explain yourself to us, it's your money.

 

That would be cool!

I saw the LMR Fairmont with the FRPP 4.6 on Craigslist recently and thought about it for a few seconds.

 

I'm trying to explain myself to me.

And looking for opinion/experience from those who already have made the decision.

In the past, there was only one choice to make. I don't know which direction I want to go now that there is a decent auto.

 

When I read that the first time, my brain saw, "A trans with some internet issues."

 

This month's MM&FF magazine has an article about the MT82 being very weak with a swap article for the Tremec T56 Magnum into the '11's to handle much more power than the stock MT82.

 

OK, maybe a bad word choice!!

Five Oh Brian,

I haven't gotten that one yet. Should shed some light on the issue. Thanks!

 

When I trade in my '10 on the '14 redesign I'll consider an auto if it has paddle shifters that are worth a ****. Hopefully by then you can get the Brembo package with an automatic.

 

I just read that this morning. When I get my car back from Vortech I think I will look in to that.

 

You should get what you want, but the manual issues right now isn't bad enough to be a deal breaker.

And I'd expect something to be done about it before Ford goes in production for the 2012

 

Yeah, like maybe Ford will stop getting their manual transmissions from China. I think the MT82 will go down in Mustang history as even worse than the T5.

 

It only costs more to fix if its out of warranty, I got the auto because the last manual I had went through a clutch in 13K miles, had to pay to replace it myself. As far as I know the entire Auto trans. is covered for 5yr/50K. I love the auto, dont regret it one bit - but get what makes you happy, not what other people think.