Assuming you guys are relatively equal drivers, the manual is a consistently faster car.

 

This topic is way too broad. There are too many variables that makes this thread moot.

 

Ok guys thanks for the input auto vs stick. As far as I can gather every one believes it is all up to the driver. I didn't realize how even both cars would be. Thanks for the input.

 

lol I still remember seeing a CAI/exhaust 5 speed try DESPERATELY to get out of the 15s all night during a test and tune! Finally got it down to a 14.4@98mph, but for like an hour he was just burning rubber at the tree.. kinda felt bad for the guy.

Then again, there's another dude with a CAI, drive-shaft and drag radials running 12.7s all day... 5 speed.

 

I went back and forth trying to decide the manual vs. Auto and went with the manual. All of my other vehicles have been autos and I wanted something fun and I got it. I don't drag race every day, but I do freeway on and offramps etc every day and that is what matters to me.

 

Great choice man you won't regret it...and keep in mind, you have just as much if not more potential with a 5 speed at the drag strip, it just takes more practice then with an auto.

 

Its funny, I always felt that my 07 and this 10 automatic GTs felt faster than my 09 manual GT did, all with a CAI/tune for comparison. Maybe my butt dynos broken, lol. I was pretty underwhelmed with the 09 manual and only the CAI/tune. Maybe its just that the difference on the auto was much more blatant. I still love the fact that I can bark the tires going into 3rd gear on this auto.

 

If I had the opportunity to garage my GT and have a beater to drive daily, I might have went with a 5 speed to change things up a bit since I've always prefered an auto for dd duties and not to mention their dead consistent in the 1/4...if that's your thing.
I've had numerous automatic muscle cars that were fun as hell including an 86 Buick Grand National, 95 Z28 Camaro, 73 Plymouth Scamp and an 80 Pontiac Grand Prix with a Chevy 400.
If I bought a more 'sports car' oriented muscle car for auto x or great handling (Audi S4, Corvette, Viper, etc.) then I would most likely want it a manual trans.

 

The auto with a tune and 4.10s......is a lotta fun.

 

Basically what we are seeing in this thread is that the 2011 automatic is now equal to the manual transmission....as far as performance goes. In the old days this was never so....the manual was always at least a second quicker in the quater-mile....up to a certain HP point....then everybody installed a C4 or C6.....automatics are the way to once your in the 10's and lower.

Bottom line is that the auto's are just as quick as the manual's. Driving an auto or stick is a personal preference and the stangs performance is the same regardless.