Manual or Automatic?

[JDJP]

Hey guys Im new to the board, and I apologise if this has been discussed already. I have been looking around at cars lately, and have always liked mustangs, but never owned one. I have had 2 other trucks, and they were both automatic. I know how to drive stick, but only driving a really old chevy truck, and a 2001 maxima(a little), I don't really have anything to base my choice on. My friend(with the maxima says to get a 5 speed, but I don't know. The gas is about the same (17/25 manual-18/23 auto) so can you guys give me some pros and cons. Would any of you simply not buy one of them?
Help me out guys, I just don't want to get somthing I'll regret.

Thanks
JD

 

[Bobbys97R]

Manual
Gayomatic

Ive had three five speeds and there nothing like slaming 2nd and 3rd gear getting all buck. And from what I can tell T-5 and the T-45 can take some abuse

 

[Gray02GT]

Look, if you don't get the manual you are going to regret it. I was in the same situation with my 02 GT.

GET THE MANUAL!

 

[IWantMyNewGT]

No doubt about it, a stick is more fun to drive on an open road. But if the car will be your daily driver and you have to crawl to work in commute traffic, you may regret not getting the automatic. I think the answer to your question will depend on how you will be using the car.

Hey guys Im new to the board, and I apologise if this has been discussed already. I have been looking around at cars lately, and have always liked mustangs, but never owned one. I have had 2 other trucks, and they were both automatic. I know how to drive stick, but only driving a really old chevy truck, and a 2001 maxima(a little), I don't really have anything to base my choice on. My friend(with the maxima says to get a 5 speed, but I don't know. The gas is about the same (17/25 manual-18/23 auto) so can you guys give me some pros and cons. Would any of you simply not buy one of them?
Help me out guys, I just don't want to get somthing I'll regret.

Thanks
JD

 

[LilHog]

I was in the same situation as you. I really love shifting and the control of a manual trans, but I was curiuos about the new 5 speed automatic. So I test drove both and really liked the automatic. It is geared perfectly for off the line acceleration. Actually the auto felt quicker to me off the line, and as a daily driver it's perfect. Everyone said "why did you get an auto" until they saw how it performed, and it shut them all up. The new automatics perform much better than previous versions in years past. I went back to the dealer the next day and took the auto home and have been smiling ever since. So if you ever pull up to the line next to an automatic, be prepared. They are very quick off the line and they shift extremly fast................

 

[Florida Bob]

Welcome! The stick is a lot more fun, but if you drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, the auto really shines.

 

[REDFIRE 05 GT]

does the auto still have 3:55 gears out back?

 

[LilHog]

Yes, the rear gears are the same 3:55

 

[426H]

Yes, the rear gears are the same 3:55

Actually, the auto has 3,31:1

 

[REDFIRE 05 GT]

yes you are right 3:31

http://www.modernengineuity.com/specs/mustang_05.html

 

[JDJP]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I guess a lot of you favor the manual. I will not be doing a lot of stop and go driving, so right now i am leaning towards the manual. From what ive read, the auto trans in the V6 and GT are the same, but the manual in the GT is a bit beefier, is this true?
I guess Ill just have to go drive both, and figure it out.
thanks again
JD

 

[Gray02GT]

No doubt about it, a stick is more fun to drive on an open road. But if the car will be your daily driver and you have to crawl to work in commute traffic, you may regret not getting the automatic. I think the answer to your question will depend on how you will be using the car.

This is silly, I don't see why people find driving a stick in traffic too hard. The clutch is also so light in these cars I can't see that it would be an issue.

 

[66Satellite]

If you are under 30 just get the manual. If you are older than 30 and still don't know the answer to your question you should probably get the auto.

 

[QCStang]

Automatic.

1) It comes really well built to withstand a lot of punishment - it can take far more horsepower and abuse than the manual. Not your average auto tranny here.
2) It is a proven transmission used in vehicles that sell for twice as much as the Stang.
3) In northern climates, the auto is safer in slick conditions. I leave mine in overdrive in the winter when I use it.
4) If you drink coffee in traffic in the morning, you don't have to ask why.
5) As for Bobbys97R's answer, I think his manhood is in doubt.

 

[ruffy]

I'd go with the manual 5 speed. It's fun!

 

[Glenns05]

This is silly, I don't see why people find driving a stick in traffic too hard. The clutch is also so light in these cars I can't see that it would be an issue.

You are silly, maybe traffic is not an issue in Eaton, CO population 2,450 or Denver (population 550,000) if you would like to pretend that you live in a big city (because its 70 miles away) but try rowing on the Edens expressway through Chicago population 2,869,000. You might see things a little different.

I live in a suburb 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. It is 13 square miles with a population of 44,000 thats about 20 times the population density of of Eaton, Co.

 

[boy_racer]

Daily Driver, lots of stop and go traffic: Automatic

Fun Car, open roads: Manual

 

[LilHog]

I stand corrected 3:31 it is, sorry. Which ever trans you choose you can't loose. They are both great, drive both and make your decision.

 

[drummer]

Actually, the auto has 3,31:1

The final ratio is because of the lower OD gear I do believe

 

[JDJP]

Automatic.

1) It comes really well built to withstand a lot of punishment - it can take far more horsepower and abuse than the manual. Not your average auto tranny here.
2) It is a proven transmission used in vehicles that sell for twice as much as the Stang.
3) In northern climates, the auto is safer in slick conditions. I leave mine in overdrive in the winter when I use it.
4) If you drink coffee in traffic in the morning, you don't have to ask why.
5) As for Bobbys97R's answer, I think his manhood is in doubt.

How is it that the auto can withstand more horsepower and abuse than the manual, I thought it was the opposite?