Auto to Stick conversion?
6th Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,828
From: Clarksville TN
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
ORIGINAL: Netmaster
I'd say, you are very lucky to have found someone that will do it for that cheap cause most shops would charge a few thousand for it in parts and labor at least. The heavy labor is what usually jacks up the price so the part cost factors in very little. It's all that work they are having to do. In switching with someone else you are saving on parts, but that's it. That's all providing you can find someone wanting to switch and pay out some major $.
My situation was a bit different. I originally wanted a GT but I saw the price of one brand new (2001) and chickened out after seeing what my monthly payment would look like (around $430 a month is the kind of cash I just couldn't swing at that time) so I ended up getting a V6 auto because I also shyed away from the stick shift in the first Mustang I looked at. My ignorance of a manual shift at that time just put me in the usual mindset of those who are too lazy, or afraid, to learn how to drive a stick. The V6 I got was bare bones. No cruise control (my first car, a 79 Buick Regal had it and that really spoiled me), and no spoiler (I tried to justify it by telling everyone, and myself, that it was not needed and that spoilers were overused anyway), and it had the cheapest feeling seats. The lack of power was also something I tried to always justify by telling everyone "Well this is fast enough and gets me around just fine". I always deeply regretted not having cruise control and everytime I put my hands on my steering wheel I could feel the plugs in the steering wheel where the cruise contol would have went. It was as if they were constantly mocking me and reminding me that I went cheap and was stuck with it now that I had my high payments [:@](I still ended up paying $375 a month for a V6 that fell very short of what I really wanted). Well I made do and was patient. It was a brand new car and there is a certain bit of excitement of getting a car that is brand spankin new but that feeling quickly wares off. This went on until the wonderful day that I realized that I only had a few payments left on it. When I found that out, I couldn't wait one single second to get rid of it and get something that had everything I wanted. When I decided to get rid of it, I initially told myself that I was sick of a Mustang. Well I thought it through and realized that I wasn't sick of a Mustang at all. I was just sick of the subpar V6 that I had. I wanted a lower payment than what I had though, along with lower insurance than what a brand new GT would get me, so I decided to see what used car lots offered, and I only went to those that offered an extended warrantee on their vehicles (so I could have the same benefit that new car owners get when it comes to maintenance and repair). I settled on the most reputable used car dealer in my area that had the most word of mouth and the biggest outfit. The only things they had were V6s though. They tried to sell me on another V6 Mustang only this time it would be the new 05 body style. Well, I was less than pleased with the newly designed sides and with the removal of the side scoops and trim, and also with the removal of the scoop from the hood in the new models I looked at. They did have cruise though and I was very tempted to pick it up because they weren't necessarily bad (just not the look that liked) but I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to own a real GT come hell or high water! I did not give in to his sales tactics. I told him that if I got another Mustang that this time it would be a GT and would have everything I wanted along with a low monthly payment. He said that he didn't have any but that he would keep an eye out for me and give me a call if he found anything. Well the next week he calls me up and tells me that he has just got in a GT with only 66 thou miles on it (still well below average mileage for that year). To top it off it had cruise control and the hot looking spoiler (they really do just seem to make it look even faster). Although the seats are not leather, the seats are clearly made of much thicker and much higher quality material than my previous V6. Once more, they even had it in my favorite color (silver) that my previous stang was in (the one thing I did really love about it) and with my low milage trade in, I was assured of a nice low monthly payment. It was a stick shift though and I had only driven a stick two other times. Well I decided that if I really wanted a real GT and a true sports car, then I simply had to go all the way and get a stick and stop being lazy or afraid, and just learn it once and for all. Well that was only a week ago and I can honestly say I have never ever had as much fun as I have now when I get into the driver seat of my Silver 01 GT. It's a whooooole new world baby! The rumble of that engine, and the rush I get when I slam that stick into 5th gear and feel the explosion of power as I take off like I was just shot from a rocket launcher, is as close to heaven on earth as you can possibly imagine.
Stick or auto? No contest here. Not even a chance.
I'd say, you are very lucky to have found someone that will do it for that cheap cause most shops would charge a few thousand for it in parts and labor at least. The heavy labor is what usually jacks up the price so the part cost factors in very little. It's all that work they are having to do. In switching with someone else you are saving on parts, but that's it. That's all providing you can find someone wanting to switch and pay out some major $.
My situation was a bit different. I originally wanted a GT but I saw the price of one brand new (2001) and chickened out after seeing what my monthly payment would look like (around $430 a month is the kind of cash I just couldn't swing at that time) so I ended up getting a V6 auto because I also shyed away from the stick shift in the first Mustang I looked at. My ignorance of a manual shift at that time just put me in the usual mindset of those who are too lazy, or afraid, to learn how to drive a stick. The V6 I got was bare bones. No cruise control (my first car, a 79 Buick Regal had it and that really spoiled me), and no spoiler (I tried to justify it by telling everyone, and myself, that it was not needed and that spoilers were overused anyway), and it had the cheapest feeling seats. The lack of power was also something I tried to always justify by telling everyone "Well this is fast enough and gets me around just fine". I always deeply regretted not having cruise control and everytime I put my hands on my steering wheel I could feel the plugs in the steering wheel where the cruise contol would have went. It was as if they were constantly mocking me and reminding me that I went cheap and was stuck with it now that I had my high payments [:@](I still ended up paying $375 a month for a V6 that fell very short of what I really wanted). Well I made do and was patient. It was a brand new car and there is a certain bit of excitement of getting a car that is brand spankin new but that feeling quickly wares off. This went on until the wonderful day that I realized that I only had a few payments left on it. When I found that out, I couldn't wait one single second to get rid of it and get something that had everything I wanted. When I decided to get rid of it, I initially told myself that I was sick of a Mustang. Well I thought it through and realized that I wasn't sick of a Mustang at all. I was just sick of the subpar V6 that I had. I wanted a lower payment than what I had though, along with lower insurance than what a brand new GT would get me, so I decided to see what used car lots offered, and I only went to those that offered an extended warrantee on their vehicles (so I could have the same benefit that new car owners get when it comes to maintenance and repair). I settled on the most reputable used car dealer in my area that had the most word of mouth and the biggest outfit. The only things they had were V6s though. They tried to sell me on another V6 Mustang only this time it would be the new 05 body style. Well, I was less than pleased with the newly designed sides and with the removal of the side scoops and trim, and also with the removal of the scoop from the hood in the new models I looked at. They did have cruise though and I was very tempted to pick it up because they weren't necessarily bad (just not the look that liked) but I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to own a real GT come hell or high water! I did not give in to his sales tactics. I told him that if I got another Mustang that this time it would be a GT and would have everything I wanted along with a low monthly payment. He said that he didn't have any but that he would keep an eye out for me and give me a call if he found anything. Well the next week he calls me up and tells me that he has just got in a GT with only 66 thou miles on it (still well below average mileage for that year). To top it off it had cruise control and the hot looking spoiler (they really do just seem to make it look even faster). Although the seats are not leather, the seats are clearly made of much thicker and much higher quality material than my previous V6. Once more, they even had it in my favorite color (silver) that my previous stang was in (the one thing I did really love about it) and with my low milage trade in, I was assured of a nice low monthly payment. It was a stick shift though and I had only driven a stick two other times. Well I decided that if I really wanted a real GT and a true sports car, then I simply had to go all the way and get a stick and stop being lazy or afraid, and just learn it once and for all. Well that was only a week ago and I can honestly say I have never ever had as much fun as I have now when I get into the driver seat of my Silver 01 GT. It's a whooooole new world baby! The rumble of that engine, and the rush I get when I slam that stick into 5th gear and feel the explosion of power as I take off like I was just shot from a rocket launcher, is as close to heaven on earth as you can possibly imagine.
Stick or auto? No contest here. Not even a chance.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
You sure you've driven a stick shift?
Since you throw 5th when going 50+ miles per hour and higher (at least that's what you're supposed to do) I'd say you had better feel an explosion of power or there is something seriously wrong with your car (or your shifting
).
Since you throw 5th when going 50+ miles per hour and higher (at least that's what you're supposed to do) I'd say you had better feel an explosion of power or there is something seriously wrong with your car (or your shifting
).
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 14,917
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
If a stock GT can feel like there is an explosion of power shifting into 5th, then driving a 300+RWHP car would be like having a Nuclear Bomb hitting you in the *** Netmaster.
I do have to give you a couple +1's for veering so far off topic, yet staying on topic in a 'who's going to read my rant anyway' fashion. Next time, never rely on the dealer to set up your financing. They have sneaky deals with local banks. The interest rate they gave you is probably 3-5% higher than what the bank would have personally gave you. Regardless...welcome to the forum.
97droptopgt: There is several things you need to take into consideration. Do you plan on owning the car long enough to make the price of the swap worth it? Will you ever be trading it in or selling it with hopes of recovering money or not hurting the book value? If you are serious, you need to start locating parts for a general price idea along with talking to shops for the installation, many of which won't want such a project and those who will take on the work will more than likely want you to bend over and try not to squirm too much.
With the price you can pick up a 96-98 GT for (assuming your budget won't increase enough to go 99+), it'd be cheaper to sell the car and purchase a 5sp.
I do have to give you a couple +1's for veering so far off topic, yet staying on topic in a 'who's going to read my rant anyway' fashion.
Next time, never rely on the dealer to set up your financing. They have sneaky deals with local banks. The interest rate they gave you is probably 3-5% higher than what the bank would have personally gave you. Regardless...welcome to the forum.97droptopgt: There is several things you need to take into consideration. Do you plan on owning the car long enough to make the price of the swap worth it? Will you ever be trading it in or selling it with hopes of recovering money or not hurting the book value? If you are serious, you need to start locating parts for a general price idea along with talking to shops for the installation, many of which won't want such a project and those who will take on the work will more than likely want you to bend over and try not to squirm too much.
With the price you can pick up a 96-98 GT for (assuming your budget won't increase enough to go 99+), it'd be cheaper to sell the car and purchase a 5sp.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,828
From: Clarksville TN
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
ORIGINAL: Netmaster
You sure you've driven a stick shift?
Since you throw 5th when going 50+ miles per hour and higher (at least that's what you're supposed to do) I'd say you had better feel an explosion of power or there is something seriously wrong with your car (or your shifting).
You sure you've driven a stick shift?
Since you throw 5th when going 50+ miles per hour and higher (at least that's what you're supposed to do) I'd say you had better feel an explosion of power or there is something seriously wrong with your car (or your shifting
).
4th Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,442
From: Nevada
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
ORIGINAL: stanggang1892
whats tha old saying "autos win races, sticks impress high school kids"? If your going to want to race the car, get a stall
ORIGINAL: GThopeful
I was wondering this same thing a while ago. I bought my auto GT for convenience (I drive in very heavy traffic for school), but now I'm craving the 5-spd fun factor. After a while I plan on just selling to try and find a nice Mach or something.
I was wondering this same thing a while ago. I bought my auto GT for convenience (I drive in very heavy traffic for school), but now I'm craving the 5-spd fun factor. After a while I plan on just selling to try and find a nice Mach or something.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 525
From:
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
To each his own. I considered converting my 88 GT to a stick, but then after talking to some guys with some really mean quick cars with autos, I changed my mind. You can manually shift the auto and have it chirp the tires just as the 5 speed does. I dont see where if you put in a good stall it is worse than a 5 speed. You have to swap the clutch in those just as you would swap a TC. If I manually shift mine it feels just like a stick. But hey if you want a 5 speed, more power to ya! Good luck with the swap.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 247
From:
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
it does kind of suck when you pull up to people and their like ooo sick stang, is that a 5 speed, and your just like no its an auto lol, i get that alot when i introduce the car to people, but hey i like it either way
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 525
From:
RE: Auto to Stick conversion?
That is true, but you have to admit, it gives them quite a shock to see that auto walk off and leave the stick. Plus you dont have to do all that clutching in heavy traffic as it is around here on my way home from work. My knee start to give out after a while. I love 5 speeds, dont get me wrong. All my other vehicles were stick. But its nice to have an auto for a change. Either way man, dont let any of us deter you if you want a stick. Everyone likes different things. Get what makes YOU happy since you drive the car and not us. We are here just to inform you of both options so you can make your decision easier.[sm=smiley20.gif]
Plus you dont have to do all that clutching in heavy traffic as it is around here on my way home from work. My knee start to give out after a while. I love 5 speeds, dont get me wrong. All my other vehicles were stick. But its nice to have an auto for a change. Either way man, dont let any of us deter you if you want a stick. Everyone likes different things. Get what makes YOU happy since you drive the car and not us. We are here just to inform you of both options so you can make your decision easier.[sm=smiley20.gif]