Back in the day from the Fox body right up to 2004....the automatic was very slow when in comparison to a manual. These days it appears the automatic is the way to go.....on you tube all the 5.0s in the 11s and faster are automatics. So my question is......is the automatic now equal or quicker than the 6 speed? I still prefer the manual shift driving experience, but if the automatic is faster that may be the way to go?

 

From what I´ve noted most of those that are actually concerned with this, they won´t be at stock, but they can be easily reprogrammed to be far more consistent than even the best manual stick guy/girl.

Although since 6 speed is now the standard for the new models, for fun factor and just general control-freakness why would ya aside from truly racing your own? Thanks btw FORD, ya bastids. *Waves his cheese 5-speed in their face*

 

I really think they're about equal. The big difference being that it's much easier to launch the auto and do so consistently. It's really tricky to launch the MT82 if you're running on the stock tires. Very tough to launch without spinning the tires, well at least for me it was. The new auto tranny's are very, very good & I've read they're even better once you add a tune.

I guess you have to decide what you value more. If you're just drag racing, I say go auto. If you like to auto-x or just enjoy the feel of a stick, get the manual. But it'll be up to you to decide what's more important to you. Either tranny you're getting a kick a$$ Mustang!!!! Sounds like a win, win situation if you ask me! Good luck!

 

Good advice......I could never buy a automatic street car.....6 speeds forward are the way to go. Plus....the automatic tranny is heavier....I think 200lbs?

When I raced my Z back in the day the automatic Zs and T/As were just as quick and sometimes quicker. When i had the stock shifter I remember racing automatic T/A and Zs.......we would be neck and neck, but everytime I shifted the other car would pull a little. The stock shifter was garbage....the rubber stops and long throw made it garbage.......I upgraded to hurst and had better luck.

My point was it appears that the automatic stangs now appear to be just as or maybe quicker than the manual shift.....compared to past mustang generations even though it's 200lbs heavier. That's the impression I get from you-tube. I have not driven a new 6 speed or automatic....yet....hopefully next month.

Has anyone raced an automatic vs. a six speed? Not that it will matter to my descion....I'll go with the 6 speed.....just curious.

 

I would say that today, with all the refinements auto trannies have gone through, a manual would be hard pressed to keep up with the auto with a good tranny gear shift point tune in it.

The driver of the manual would have to be on the top of his game to keep up with a performance shifting tune. Auto trannies are actually at a point that they can shift seamlessly faster than what any human driver can react.

 

The manual is still faster, however the difference isn't as large as it used to be (in the 2010's and below). The thing is that the auto is much more consistent and easier to ride, where as the manual is much harder to drive....with that said, 2 equally talented drivers, you'll get better times out of the manual.


2 drivers like myself, and you'll be better off with the Auto haha

 

I would have to admit that I am in the same category. I haven't driven a manual in over 10 years prior to having my current car.
Funny, the only reason why I chose a manual was because optioning the 6R80 would have cost me $950 more.

 

If the car will live on the strip and/or you intend on making money on it, get the auto. It is much more consistent, and sad to say... it is looking like it is built quite a bit better as well.

If the car is not going to live on the strip, and you don't have bum knees, and you want to retain your man card, get the stick shift. QC problems aside it is a wonderful transmission, and you will have a much greater feeling of control.

And, better highway mileage.

 

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So far good advice......let's see how many votes we get for the auto.....hard to imagine that an auto will get so much praise. I remember back in the day in the fox body we chucked the T-5 for a C6....once into the deep 11's.....now with the new stangs with some minor tweaks...11s.....technology Doesn't seem as though we have to work / earn our 11 sec passes....which for some is the part of the fun. I guess the work/fun is getting the new stangs into the low 10's or high 9's.