Never driven a stick shift
02-06-2011, 09:39 AM
#11
6th Gear Member
Think of it as learning to ride a bike. At first, it's a little daunting but after the first few times it just gets easier and easier.
I wouldn't have bought my GT as an automatic. It's not my DD, however, but I still use it for long distance trips since it gets better mileage than my V6 SUV. If it WAS my DD AND I did a lot of city driving I'd have thought twice.
I think you'd always question yourself if you bought an automatic.
I wouldn't have bought my GT as an automatic. It's not my DD, however, but I still use it for long distance trips since it gets better mileage than my V6 SUV. If it WAS my DD AND I did a lot of city driving I'd have thought twice.
I think you'd always question yourself if you bought an automatic.
02-06-2011, 09:43 AM
#12
If you want the stick, you like the feel, and the control, then for sure, save yourself almost $1000 off the the sale price for the manual tranny. The stick does have a manly feel to it, the control over the car you have definitely fill you while driving
As for learning a stick, the hardest part is learning that pesky clutch friction point. On the '11 GT, the friction point is about a quarter way to half way of the pedal being depressed. And on top of that, the power of a Coyote 5.0L, or even from the 4.6L engines are nothing to sneeze at. You cannot step on the gas more than a quarter way down when daily driving because you will seriously jolt the car forward as you let off the clutch. But honestly, it will take practice as you feather the gas and are learning the friction point. You will eventually get it, stepping on the gas just right while releasing the clutch right at the friction point for a silky smooth take off from a stop sign
However, going with auto tranny is not as bad as you think. It is not much more, the 6R80 (automatic 6spd) is only $995 more to option in.
And believe it or not, with a good shift point adjustment built into an aftermarket tune, the 6R80 will shift way better than you can. As a matter of fact, to shift like a tuned 6R80, you have to basically be a professional racer. I know I cannot shift like that.
As for learning a stick, the hardest part is learning that pesky clutch friction point. On the '11 GT, the friction point is about a quarter way to half way of the pedal being depressed. And on top of that, the power of a Coyote 5.0L, or even from the 4.6L engines are nothing to sneeze at. You cannot step on the gas more than a quarter way down when daily driving because you will seriously jolt the car forward as you let off the clutch. But honestly, it will take practice as you feather the gas and are learning the friction point. You will eventually get it, stepping on the gas just right while releasing the clutch right at the friction point for a silky smooth take off from a stop sign
However, going with auto tranny is not as bad as you think. It is not much more, the 6R80 (automatic 6spd) is only $995 more to option in.
And believe it or not, with a good shift point adjustment built into an aftermarket tune, the 6R80 will shift way better than you can. As a matter of fact, to shift like a tuned 6R80, you have to basically be a professional racer. I know I cannot shift like that.
02-06-2011, 09:57 AM
#13
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,935
Are you buying a new one? If so, just go to the dealer and explain to them that you are buying a new mustang, but you cannot decide which transmission. See if there is a salesman that will take you out and teach you on a manual. That's how I learned for the first time. It's easy once you get the concept of how the clutch works. The 2011's are the easiest to drive of them all. My automatic is a monster for drag racing out of the hole, but It's almost kind of boring. Much less fun on the street too.
02-06-2011, 09:58 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
If you want the stick, you like the feel, and the control, then for sure, save yourself almost $1000 off the the sale price for the manual tranny. The stick does have a manly feel to it, the control over the car you have definitely fill you while driving
As for learning a stick, the hardest part is learning that pesky clutch friction point. On the '11 GT, the friction point is about a quarter way to half way of the pedal being depressed. And on top of that, the power of a Coyote 5.0L, or even from the 4.6L engines are nothing to sneeze at. You cannot step on the gas more than a quarter way down when daily driving because you will seriously jolt the car forward as you let off the clutch. But honestly, it will take practice as you feather the gas and are learning the friction point. You will eventually get it, stepping on the gas just right while releasing the clutch right at the friction point for a silky smooth take off from a stop sign
However, going with auto tranny is not as bad as you think. It is not much more, the 6R80 (automatic 6spd) is only $995 more to option in.
And believe it or not, with a good shift point adjustment built into an aftermarket tune, the 6R80 will shift way better than you can. As a matter of fact, to shift like a tuned 6R80, you have to basically be a professional racer. I know I cannot shift like that.
As for learning a stick, the hardest part is learning that pesky clutch friction point. On the '11 GT, the friction point is about a quarter way to half way of the pedal being depressed. And on top of that, the power of a Coyote 5.0L, or even from the 4.6L engines are nothing to sneeze at. You cannot step on the gas more than a quarter way down when daily driving because you will seriously jolt the car forward as you let off the clutch. But honestly, it will take practice as you feather the gas and are learning the friction point. You will eventually get it, stepping on the gas just right while releasing the clutch right at the friction point for a silky smooth take off from a stop sign
However, going with auto tranny is not as bad as you think. It is not much more, the 6R80 (automatic 6spd) is only $995 more to option in.
And believe it or not, with a good shift point adjustment built into an aftermarket tune, the 6R80 will shift way better than you can. As a matter of fact, to shift like a tuned 6R80, you have to basically be a professional racer. I know I cannot shift like that.
I realized that was true for some autos, but it is interesting that you seem to be suggesting that it is true for many autos. The performance isn't really a huge issue, though. It is all about how fun it is to drive.
02-06-2011, 10:01 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Are you buying a new one? If so, just go to the dealer and explain to them that you are buying a new mustang, but you cannot decide which transmission. See if there is a salesman that will take you out and teach you on a manual. That's how I learned for the first time. It's easy once you get the concept of how the clutch works. The 2011's are the easiest to drive of them all.
Thank you everyone for the input. I am really excited about this vehicle. I am sure I will be happy no matter which I decide to go with.
02-06-2011, 10:02 AM
#16
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MO
Posts: 367
This car is actually very easy to drive with a stick, very forgiving. Something to be said about having gobs of torque down at low rpms. Wouldn't be a bad car to learn on, that's for sure.
While you'd think learning on a beater would be a better idea so you don't tear up your new car, you have to realize those beaters are generally cheap POS FWD econoboxes with less than 150hp and 140 ft/lbs of torque. The clutch feel in those is garbage, and you'll have a very hard time finding the engagement point. They are MUCH harder to learn on. Trust me I learned on one, had I learned on something like my Mustang, there would have been a lot less neck snapping and stalls, same with the smell of burnt clutch.
If you can get the Mustang down, you can then progress your way up from there.
Hell, my wife can drive stick, she's not the greatest, but she can do it. She has no problems in the mustang at all, you wouldn't even know she isn't a good manual driver, but when it comes to her trying to drive my 2005 Focus, she can't even get the damn thing moving. She either stalls it, or smokes the clutch. That car has absolutely no friction point in it at all that you can feel. I'm used to it though, I just know when it's going to grab by how far the pedal is off the floor. Has a lot to do with it having a dual mass flywheel and MAYBE 120 ft/lbs of torque.
While you'd think learning on a beater would be a better idea so you don't tear up your new car, you have to realize those beaters are generally cheap POS FWD econoboxes with less than 150hp and 140 ft/lbs of torque. The clutch feel in those is garbage, and you'll have a very hard time finding the engagement point. They are MUCH harder to learn on. Trust me I learned on one, had I learned on something like my Mustang, there would have been a lot less neck snapping and stalls, same with the smell of burnt clutch.
If you can get the Mustang down, you can then progress your way up from there.
Hell, my wife can drive stick, she's not the greatest, but she can do it. She has no problems in the mustang at all, you wouldn't even know she isn't a good manual driver, but when it comes to her trying to drive my 2005 Focus, she can't even get the damn thing moving. She either stalls it, or smokes the clutch. That car has absolutely no friction point in it at all that you can feel. I'm used to it though, I just know when it's going to grab by how far the pedal is off the floor. Has a lot to do with it having a dual mass flywheel and MAYBE 120 ft/lbs of torque.
02-06-2011, 10:11 AM
#17
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,935
02-06-2011, 10:20 AM
#18
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CT
Posts: 1,472
Unless you drive a lot in stop & go traffic the manual is the way to go. Automatic Mustangs GTs are great so I'm not knocking them but, the manual Mustang GT is the way the pony/muscle car was meant to be when developed. Either way you will be happy! As far as learning how to drive a manual trans....it's a natural ability you should have no problems learning. Good luck
02-06-2011, 10:51 AM
#19
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: WV
Posts: 4,460
I am thinking about buying a mustang, but have never driven a stick shift. From everything that I have heard, a stick shift is the way to go when buying this type of car. Not knowing how to drive one poses some serious problems:
1. I can't test drive it.
2. I don't know if I actually will prefer a stick shift.
The options I see here are:
1. Buy an automatic.
2. Buy a stick and hope it is right for me.
3. Somehow learn to drive a stick before buying this car.
Each of these options has a problem, though.
1. I will always feel that I should have gone stick shift. Trying one would either cure this or make it much worse.
2. I could end up hating my new car.
3. I know no one with a stick shift. My only choice would be to buy a lesser car.
What do you all think I should do?
1. I can't test drive it.
2. I don't know if I actually will prefer a stick shift.
The options I see here are:
1. Buy an automatic.
2. Buy a stick and hope it is right for me.
3. Somehow learn to drive a stick before buying this car.
Each of these options has a problem, though.
1. I will always feel that I should have gone stick shift. Trying one would either cure this or make it much worse.
2. I could end up hating my new car.
3. I know no one with a stick shift. My only choice would be to buy a lesser car.
What do you all think I should do?
I bought my first standard ever 3 years ago, and it too was in the mustang family.
I couldn't even test drive it. I had no idea how to drive a standard. I had to have someone help me get it home. It sat in the driveway three days while I looked at it. I finally decided it was time to learn, and it just came natural!
These cars are so user friendly. You will be fine. Believe me...I had several male figures attempt to teach me, and I just always ended up crying. Lol
Now my daily driver is a standard, as well as my '03 mustang. In the future, I will be only considering a standard transmission mustang.
Go ahead and do it. You won't regret it, I promise!
02-06-2011, 11:02 AM
#20
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CT
Posts: 1,472
SaddleUp:
"I couldn't even test drive it. I had no idea how to drive a standard. I had to have someone help me get it home. It sat in the driveway three days while I looked at it. I finally decided it was time to learn, and it just came natural!"
I would of lost my mind!!!! Good story!!!!
"I couldn't even test drive it. I had no idea how to drive a standard. I had to have someone help me get it home. It sat in the driveway three days while I looked at it. I finally decided it was time to learn, and it just came natural!"
I would of lost my mind!!!! Good story!!!!