The old dilemma...auto or manual
08-25-2014, 11:09 AM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 106
The old dilemma...auto or manual
I plan on buying a CPO low mileage 14' or maybe a new '15 GT in about a year so I have time to mull this over. I've been driving a manual car since the 80s so skill is not an issue.
I plan on driving the car 2 or 3 times a week, maybe once to work then tooling around on the weekend. No plans to drag race or track it but I like to row gears and put it through the paces. I never rev and drop the clutch, just not my style. Are the manuals reasonably reliable? Generally, how long does a clutch last?
I don't mind doing some mods like adding a shifter bracket or other things to improve the shifting. In fact, I love to tinker with bolt on stuff.
Am I going to notice a big difference in performance from auto to manual? I don't encounter much stop and go traffic so commuting is not a problem.
I plan on driving the car 2 or 3 times a week, maybe once to work then tooling around on the weekend. No plans to drag race or track it but I like to row gears and put it through the paces. I never rev and drop the clutch, just not my style. Are the manuals reasonably reliable? Generally, how long does a clutch last?
I don't mind doing some mods like adding a shifter bracket or other things to improve the shifting. In fact, I love to tinker with bolt on stuff.
Am I going to notice a big difference in performance from auto to manual? I don't encounter much stop and go traffic so commuting is not a problem.
08-26-2014, 07:41 AM
#7
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: state of confusion
Posts: 7,635
GenX - I see no reason in your description to even consider an automatic.
If you aren't drag racing it or getting a little lurch on all your upshifts because the revs aren't matched, there's little reason to expect rapid clutch wear - you can get these cars rolling from at or nearly at idle rpm much of the time, adding throttle only after you've started to move. And if you shift with reasonable care, maybe think endurance racer vs drag racer here, you shouldn't have any issues with the transmission.
Norm
If you aren't drag racing it or getting a little lurch on all your upshifts because the revs aren't matched, there's little reason to expect rapid clutch wear - you can get these cars rolling from at or nearly at idle rpm much of the time, adding throttle only after you've started to move. And if you shift with reasonable care, maybe think endurance racer vs drag racer here, you shouldn't have any issues with the transmission.
Norm
08-26-2014, 07:51 AM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 337
No dilemma here, these cars are fun with either. That being said, If you already know how to drive a manual, the choice is a no-brainer.
I have owned all sorts of manual cars and the Mustang can hang in there with the best of them as far as shifting goes.
I have owned all sorts of manual cars and the Mustang can hang in there with the best of them as far as shifting goes.
08-26-2014, 09:30 AM
#9
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 106
Thanks for the input everyone. My main concern here is trans longevity. I have been leaning toward the manual but have read about some issues with the manuals. Seems to be more with the '11-'12 models from what I have read. Hopefully Ford ironed out the '14 and '15.
08-26-2014, 11:26 AM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: sweden
Posts: 1,128
go auto
i have driven over 1000 000 miles in my life..have driven ferraris bentleys ect..
never ever have i driven a car with such a noisy notchy gearbox..terrible unpredictable clutch..
i had 2 manuals and hated both...i drive my bosses manual bmw and audi a lot..the mustang felt nasty in comparison...clutch pedal travel is so long aswell..unless u got long legs stay well away
i have driven over 1000 000 miles in my life..have driven ferraris bentleys ect..
never ever have i driven a car with such a noisy notchy gearbox..terrible unpredictable clutch..
i had 2 manuals and hated both...i drive my bosses manual bmw and audi a lot..the mustang felt nasty in comparison...clutch pedal travel is so long aswell..unless u got long legs stay well away
