A manual in traffic
12-05-2007, 04:52 PM
#11
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 230
RE: A manual in traffic
Like it was said before, with a manual you DRIVE the car, with an auto you STEER it.
In my opinion the new Mustang clutches are very light to operate and puttering around in traffic is not a bother.
My last car (truck) was an automatic that I had for 10 years. I was so looking forward to getting a manual, missed it the whole time. Just more fun to DRIVE it in all conditions- except ice.
Frank
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In my opinion the new Mustang clutches are very light to operate and puttering around in traffic is not a bother.
My last car (truck) was an automatic that I had for 10 years. I was so looking forward to getting a manual, missed it the whole time. Just more fun to DRIVE it in all conditions- except ice.
Frank
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12-05-2007, 05:17 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Nor Cali
Posts: 2,059
RE: A manual in traffic
I love the stock clutch in my 2007 Stang. I haven't stalled once since I bought the car. Although, I've only got 3,100 miles on the car. It's easy to get a feel for where the friction point is when you let up the clutch. I don't think the clutch is heavy at all. Stop and go traffic doesn't bother me.
12-05-2007, 06:09 PM
#14
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles Ca
Posts: 2,127
RE: A manual in traffic
I've driven 20 of my 25 years driving,manual transmission-ed cars/trucks. Born & raised in So Cal, I'm pretty much used to and immune to the traffic situation. After a 6 year hiatus from a manual trans('99-'05), I was beside myself and when I decided to get a S197 GT, it had to be stick-shift or nothing at all. Everyone has their reasons for the type of car/truck and transmission they buy, I am just accustomed to performance sports vehicles being stick-shift, I'm sure an automatic SUV/truck/luxury car wouldn't bother me too much.
BTW, the S197's clutch is Jap-light IMO, ever driven an old 60's muscle car with a HD clutch and a linkage set-up? Your left calf ends up looking like one of Popeye's forearms............
BTW, the S197's clutch is Jap-light IMO, ever driven an old 60's muscle car with a HD clutch and a linkage set-up? Your left calf ends up looking like one of Popeye's forearms............
12-05-2007, 06:30 PM
#16
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North part of the South
Posts: 465
RE: A manual in traffic
IF it's a heavy-traffic day then I just think to myself 'hey that's one less limb that needs a workout at the gym now'
I love my manual and wouldn't trade it for auto for anything.
I love my manual and wouldn't trade it for auto for anything.
12-05-2007, 06:34 PM
#17
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location:
Posts: 724
RE: A manual in traffic
The Mustang clutch force is very light compared to my other manual transmission cars. I think it would be easier to drive in stop and go traffic with a heaver clutch and a stronger spring on the throttle.
12-05-2007, 07:15 PM
#19
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 1,533
RE: A manual in traffic
ORIGINAL: sliek0722
I was going to post this as a reply in another thread but I think this is a topic that is worthy of discussion because its always been a burning question to me:
Why is there a stigma that manuals suck in traffic or people hestitate to buy a manual because of city driving? I've been driving a manual for almost ten years and I can honestly say that driving in the city doesn't affect me whatsoever.
I don't even think when I'm driving my car. I do it on autopilot. When I shift from 2nd to 3rd I don't think, "I'm revving at 2500, time to shift" I'm thinking "Boy I would love some mashed potatos with gravy while watching Family Guy tonight" while my body shifts the car for me. I don't worry about stalling out at green lights because I stall out maybe once every six months. I don't have any problems moving the car in first gear and I don't burn the clutch the slightest bit. City driving and traffic do not affect me whatsoever (ok traffic makes me mad but not because I have to shift lol).
And the advantages? I control the car when I want! I can rev high, rev low, slow down easier and have more fun.
I was going to post this as a reply in another thread but I think this is a topic that is worthy of discussion because its always been a burning question to me:
Why is there a stigma that manuals suck in traffic or people hestitate to buy a manual because of city driving? I've been driving a manual for almost ten years and I can honestly say that driving in the city doesn't affect me whatsoever.
I don't even think when I'm driving my car. I do it on autopilot. When I shift from 2nd to 3rd I don't think, "I'm revving at 2500, time to shift" I'm thinking "Boy I would love some mashed potatos with gravy while watching Family Guy tonight" while my body shifts the car for me. I don't worry about stalling out at green lights because I stall out maybe once every six months. I don't have any problems moving the car in first gear and I don't burn the clutch the slightest bit. City driving and traffic do not affect me whatsoever (ok traffic makes me mad but not because I have to shift lol).
And the advantages? I control the car when I want! I can rev high, rev low, slow down easier and have more fun.
+1
12-05-2007, 07:58 PM
#20
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 350
RE: A manual in traffic
The issue is really only a problem when you spend MOST of your driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Some people live and work in areas that are ALWAYS congested. If you have to drive in that, then you never really get to DRIVE the car. It's pointless to own a manual Mustang. If you get to open it up once in a while, then that's different. Last Friday night I was driving home from work, and on the interstate traffic came to a complete stop. For the next ONE HOUR I drove exactly 5 miles....I never even got out of 1st gear. If I did that more than not.....why not just get an auto?