Was a stick the wrong choice?

I had to buy a stick because it was available and had all of the other options I wanted. The car I ordered (which got turned into an '06) was going to be an automatic.

The thing is the performance of the stick is basically the same as the automatic because the auto in these cars is a 5-speed. Yeah I could make the argument if it was a 4-speed auto vs. a 6-speed stick. But I don't know if the old age argument holds here. Don't I basically have to shift perfect to get the same performance as just gasing an auto.

But the thing is I don't shift perfect. I don't know how to launch the car perfect everytime. I find myself focusing on shifting instead of the road and driving the car. When I need to gun it in a hurry it feels that I have to put pre-thought into what gear I need at what speed. I have to move the gear into the right place before I can start gunning it. That hesitation costs me sometimes when I need to make a move.

In stop light racing I can't always launch from reved RPMs. You don't know the exact moment to rev it up and drop because the light has no yellow light (drag tree). So it turns green is it better to then rev and dump. Or just shift in and go. Cauz the other guy will be gunning it the second it greens. Now if you can watch the yellow of another light or know the light, you can anticipate, but not always.

I used to own a A4 Z28 and I beat people in sticks all the time due to bad shifting. Even Z28's that were M6 of the same car I beat. Even the magazine guys are probably not perfect everytime. They get to launch the car over and over in a controlled condition.

Then again, the stick can be fun. Maybe it is just my I don't want to get beat or not overpower someone taking over.

Thoughts???

1) get used to driving a stick...
2) stick has more fun factor
3) if I'm not mistaken, the stick has a steeper rear end gear
4) stick will get better mpg
5) I've heard that sticks are harder to find and therefore more desireable...
6) the new GT500 is supposed to have a 6 speed, so the swap to one in an 05 shouldn't be too hard, and the conversion parts will be dealer available...
7) other hard core muscle car fans won't make fun of you for driving your moms mustang

Real race cars have three pedals!

Also, your drag strip probably has a test and tune night, you can practice launching there and probably get onsite advice from racers that do it all the time.

you ride in an auto, you DRIVE a stick

Sticks rule!

You made the right choice!
hang in there, you'll get it

The number of gears really doesn't matter. The A4 GTO (according to Pontiac at least) is faster than the M6 0-60 and 1/4.

The real issue is that the 5-speed manual is SO much more fun to drive, if you can drive it. If I ever break down and get a new Stang, it will have to be a stick. The auto is OK, but the fun factor is much better with the stick.

Haha, I got the Automatic GT and somedays I wish I got the stick. The best way to go is to have the best of both worlds, whatever fits your mood. And about the cool guy musclecar enthusiasts making fun of me for driving my Mom's Stang....no problem. The fact is my car is faster and speed is crucial to me. I like going fast, always have...I jump out of airplanes for a living with the 82nd Airborne Division. Any adrenalin junky will tell you it's all about speed. Don't get me wrong, i'm not knocking the Manual...I plan on getting the 6 speed Shelby. I'm just pointing out that it's funny when a paper-pusher thinks he's tough because he drives a stick

Thoughts? - Well it sounds like you're crying over spilt milk.

I mean comon how much time will you spend racing? If its all the time then go buy a race car and slap some plates on it.

Do you want to DRIVE the car or STEER the car?

Time is you friend man....All I can say is give it time, its not like your going to be driving like that forever.

I guess you never heard of powerglide.

I wanted an auto, but with the lack of cars available, I wound up with a stick.

I am putting the factory auto into the car soon. I will be replacing all the stick parts with the proper Ford parts, as if the car came with an auto.

I have nothing against the stick, but my drag racing experiance has been 100% with automatics and that's what I'm comfortable with.

Ballsy move PowerSurge. I actually inquired about swapping out for the Manual...Sean Highland Motorsports is working with Ford to come out with swap kits should we ever get bored. Right now it's in testing phase....but they are developing some impressive stuff and it will be out in about 6 months. Ever consider putting an Triptronic F1 style transmission? It's been done with the 05 Mustang already...I read about it in a California car show.

No, real race cars have paddles.

yeah but you'll find that the paddels connect to a MANUAL gearbox with a hydrolically activated clutch NOT an automatic.

Driving a performance car equipped with an automatic is like kissing your sister

That is correct for the 05 model, the 04 GTO A4 is slower (slightly) than the 6 speed.

One advantage you have with an auto is you can install a remote start kit. This is a huge plus if you live in a really cold or hot area.

Enjoy it while you can. Someday you will have arthritis and other pains and have to have an automatic.