Maybe buying the 3.55 was a mistake
4/13/11, 04:06 PM
#1
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Maybe buying the 3.55 was a mistake
After owning my 2011 GT for more than 6 months, I'm starting to think buying the 3.55 was a mistake and I should have gotten the 3.31.
I drive mainly in traffic and rarely get out on the open freeway, and I'm shifting way too often. I don't know if things would be a lot different with the 3.31, but with the 3.55, I find that 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears are almost useless. The RPMs climb so fast that the car never feels comfortable until it's in 4th. I drive in fifth gear at 40 MPH and above. So I'm shifting five times just to get up to speed and start moving along, then I hit a traffic light and the whole process starts again.
I wonder if any 3.31 owners can tell me if they have this experience or if their cars are better in congested areas, and also I wonder if I can change to 3.31.
I drive mainly in traffic and rarely get out on the open freeway, and I'm shifting way too often. I don't know if things would be a lot different with the 3.31, but with the 3.55, I find that 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears are almost useless. The RPMs climb so fast that the car never feels comfortable until it's in 4th. I drive in fifth gear at 40 MPH and above. So I'm shifting five times just to get up to speed and start moving along, then I hit a traffic light and the whole process starts again.
I wonder if any 3.31 owners can tell me if they have this experience or if their cars are better in congested areas, and also I wonder if I can change to 3.31.
4/13/11, 04:09 PM
#2
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I have 3.31s as well and I almost feel the same way! Maybe not quite as bad but close.
1st and 2nd are pretty useless. In the city I do 60km/h (38mph) and do that in 4th. I have to get out of 1st before I'm even through the intersection.
1st and 2nd are pretty useless. In the city I do 60km/h (38mph) and do that in 4th. I have to get out of 1st before I'm even through the intersection.
4/13/11, 04:38 PM
#5
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Yes - I do break 2,000 and 2,500. Of course. But I'm not always revving the car up.
I thought about buying an auto, but I really do enjoy shifting and would miss that. I just didn't think I'd be shifting this much!
I thought about buying an auto, but I really do enjoy shifting and would miss that. I just didn't think I'd be shifting this much!
4/13/11, 05:13 PM
#7
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Replace "effort" with "fun" and you have my opinion on this. 
Seriously, I actually enjoy shifting gears even in traffic, though I do avoid bumper-to-bumper nightmares generally. Even then having 3.73s actually helps in these situations if you ask me, makes plodding along in 1st at 1k RPM only about 5-6 MPH. Handy sometimes. Still gets annoying when the jerk in front of you is going uphill at 2 MPH.
Seriously, I actually enjoy shifting gears even in traffic, though I do avoid bumper-to-bumper nightmares generally. Even then having 3.73s actually helps in these situations if you ask me, makes plodding along in 1st at 1k RPM only about 5-6 MPH. Handy sometimes. Still gets annoying when the jerk in front of you is going uphill at 2 MPH.
4/13/11, 05:21 PM
#10
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Then when I want to do spirited driving, don't mind running up the gear shifts
4/13/11, 05:30 PM
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4/13/11, 05:37 PM
#13
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I went with 3.73's and I thought like you for a short time and know after 6100 miles and counting I must say I really love the set up I have, their is power everywhere even in 5th. I just love that
FORD FOR LIFE
FORD FOR LIFE
4/13/11, 05:48 PM
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(After the engine is completely warmed up of course - not just the water temp). These are high revving engines - so continued low rpm driving loads them up.
Last edited by cdynaco; 4/13/11 at 05:49 PM.
