Manual or Auto Trans?????

I am going to purchase a newer GT very soon and was wondering what trans I should go with?? Also it seems like more people go with the manual trans? Why is that? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to getting one over the other???

A stick loses less power thru the drivetrain than an auto. If you're good with a stick, you'll be quicker.

If you're just okay with a manual, an auto is consistent...no missed shifts, etc.

2 identical cars with identical drivers, one stick, one an auto....the stick shift wins.

I have heard that same thing. I was just curious. I am pretty sure that I'll be good with it. Is there really much of a difference though?

All things being equal...

The Mach 1 guys I chat with claim about a 1/2 sec faster with a stick in the 1/4 mile.

With the manual, you're driving the car; with the automatic you're just riding in the car.

With the manual, you're driving the car; with the automatic you're just riding in the car.

So you are saying that the Manual is better????? Its going to be an every day driver so I will probably be in traffic alot. Would that Matter??? OR would it just be easier for the auto instead of shifting through traffic?

John, what I'm saying is, if you want to have some fun actually driving the car, get the manual. There's nothing like running along through some nice twisty, hilly, country roads on a nice sunny day, where you upshift and downshift through the gears. You're actually part of the process of driving; you're not just "riding along". You've got to watch the tach and listen to the engine and find the right power band all the time; not so with an automatic, it does all the thinking for you. What fun is that?

If you want to just line up next to somebody and blast away when the light changes, get the automatic.

If you're going to be driving in stop-and-go traffic all the time, get the automatic....hell, get a 4-cylinder econo-box, you don't need anything else!

You're a young guy, get a car you can have fun driving. That's why I vote for the manual! The days of the Family Truckster will come soon enough.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

"The family truckster will come soon enough".

DAMN RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe me, I'm 33. The fun car days came and went WAY TOO FAST!!!

Dave, That was very niecly put. I see what your saying and I am going to take your advice. I will let you know what i decide. Thanks

I drive GT,s everday working in a dealership having it in an auto instead of manual is a waist of a modern muscle car manual is way more fun sounds cool. But if your wondering about performance changes you won't find any power and gas milage will be the same

its not the power that changes its the power transfer absorbed through the drivetrain lost. manual is more fun yes, but id never want to drive around a stick car every single day.

Autos are good for when your girl wants to get frisky, and cars under 10 sec :D Other than that, make it a 5 speed.

I have driven manuals pretty much always. But then again I now live in Maui. Very little stop and go. I prefer for the feel and gas mileage has always been better for me when chillin.

its not the power that changes its the power transfer absorbed through the drivetrain lost. manual is more fun yes, but id never want to drive around a stick car every single day.


I drive a stick every day and belive me it fun every day . especially when i rev up the engine in front of everyone.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to getting one over the other???

S197 Mustang Transmission Info:

Manual:
T5 5-speed
Tq rating: 330 ft-lbs
Old design, well-known.

Auto:
5R55S 5-speed
Tq rating: 550 ft-lbs
Road-head
Can be just as fast as a manual with an ECU re-tune.

Note: I have a 2007 V6 with the 5R55S, I chose it because of the higher torque rating knowing that I'm probably going to go F/I after the warranty expires, plus it's my daily driver. In any other car, I would have gotten a manual, but the Mustang is the exception.

Also, if you test drive an S197 manual, bring a cup with you. Something that you'd put in a cupholder, like from Taco Bell or Burger King or whatever. Put it in the cupholder (they're in the center between the driver and passenger) and see how the shifting is with a cup there.

IMO a manual will outlast a automatic. If it were me I would get the 5-speed. Plus 5-speed transmissions are alot smaller than the automatics, which means less weight.