lureynol

OK, I'm in a quandary, as I said, I'm moving from NYC to LA, and this is my first car. A few years ago my father taught me how to drive stick on his old Merkur (not a misspelling of Mercury, a little known German car from the 80s and 90s), and I got reasonably good at it (we didn't do much, but what we did, I got the hang of it) When I found out that I got this job, I realized I better really learn to drive PDQ, so he taught me again, this time on the family's Mercedes station wagon, which is an Auto. Having browsed car lots and info, I finally decided on a Mustang for my first car, now my father maintains that I should get a manual, for various reasons, mainly that it's a lot harder to go faster without realizing it, and that it's more fun to drive. So I said fine, as I've always wanted to drive stick anyway, so to get a refresher, he sends me off down the private road our house is on in his Mini Cooper S, which is one tricked out little flyer (manual 5 speed, 190 hp, turns on a dime - his favourite hobby is using it to really **** off porches by passing them) the shifter is, of course, really sharp and flighty, and totally destroys all confidence in my ability to stick shift. He then re-assures me, saying the stick on a mustang is somewhat easier and more forgiving, and that I should have no problem on it. Then I start reading all this stuff on here about people having problems with their manual shifters... so now I'm uncertain.

So come on guys, what do you think, given my situation, Manual or Auto?

Erdrickk

There is no real problem at all with the manual transmission. Its a bit noisy and is sticky at times. I have had my new car for 3000km now and I can feel it wearing in and smoothing out. I am actually getting pretty good at shifting quick now. Anyways, take one for a test drive and see how you like the feel.

Jiraiya

Manual. I've heard people gripe about their stick, and frankly I think they're the exception rather than the rule. The stick has a lot of travel and it's kind of clunky, and the clutch pedal is a bit stiff - but I expect that kind of feel in an honest-to-god muscle car. The stick-shift 06 Mustangs I've driven have been a lot of fun and not very hard to get the hang of - you'll get used to it quickly. You're definitely going to have an easier time with it than the Mini.

lureynol

I have no problem with a stiff clutch, the Merkur had one, and I've got the size and bulk to do it without tiring.

JStang78

I avoid autos...just as a matter of personal policy, so my opinion is obviously baised.

Your dad is right on just about every point (especially about the fun factor) - except he left out the better gas mileage, and the fact that you reduce the chance of your car getting stolen greatly by getting a stick.

I bought my car with 7000 miles on it; however, it was reacquired by Ford under lemon laws, and the transmission (among other things) was replaced, so the transmission actually had about 3000 miles on it when I got the car. I went from an '02 ZX2 (stick) to this one, and honestly, the ZX2's shifter was a million times more forgiving than the Mustang's. That's not to say that the Mustang's is particularly tight - it's really quite comfortable once you get its feel - it's just not nearly as loose as the Escort's. One thing I do find myself mucking up every now and then, is, if I stall (as in delay moving my hand - not "stall" the car) at all or slowly shift between fourth and fifth, I'll lose track of third and fifth, and find it a bit easy to mistakenly put it in third by mistake.

Given any situation - except maybe physical or medical limitation - I say go manual! Then again, like I said, I'm biased.

Funny you mention the Merkur - the last automatic car I had was an '88 T-Bird Turbo Coupe, which had the exact same engine as the Merkur XR4ti.

JStang78

Ugh....can you believe I'm an editor?!

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lureynol

To me, Roisin has always been the ultimate name for a hot little car, but then, I'm biased, thanks to an ex-girlfriend, which is also why I can't use the name myself. As for me, my potential baby's name is currently Sycorax.

The XR4ti was the exact car I learned on, great little thing, a lot like a mustang, sleek but burly, and not quite as styling, but it did come stock with a turbo...

JStang78

I liked the XR4Ti, myself - especially that double wing on the back. That, and the fact that it was one of those cars that everyone said "what the heck is that?!"

lureynol

Usually as it went scorching past.