Just about ready to buy until...

[Loki-GT]

My opinion has always been that it is impossible to have too much power. However, as the owner of a 2018 GT A10 with 3.55 gear it is almost impossible to use all of its performance on the street for more than 4 or 5 seconds at a time without either breaking the law or attracting unwanted attention. That is one of the reasons I drag race. I suppose if I lived in Nevada or another extremely rural area I might look at power adders but a stock '18+ GT A10 is a pretty thrilling daily driver.

DITTO, the one thing that was great about my 1985 LX 5.0 Coupe when I bought it new, you could stretch its legs for a bit, back then that seemed damned fast. Now a punch in 1st gear to 2nd and suddenly you're at way above speed limits and you realize while it's awesome to have this kind of power there isn't many places where you can literally stretch the cars legs legally. I go to the drag strip a lot in the summer to feed the itch to let loose.

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[Zelek]

The only thing that would cause me to sell my car would be knowing that the 5.0 V8 is going away and we've reached the end of that. I would buy the final model year to carry the engine before we move to hybrid tech. I don't think that's the case so I will be hanging onto mine for a long time. Between the money I paid for it brand new, custom ordered, and the mods I've put into it, there's no reason for me to get rid of it.

 

[VooDooDaddy]

I had my heart set on a brand new mustang. I was going to get the 2020 version. I had planned on spending 48 to 50K and get it fully loaded. I had rented and drove extensively a 2018 and loved the A10. I ended up getting a fully loaded 2015 for about 55% of what I had planed to pay and I think I am getting 95% of the enjoyment.

My point exactly. I could not have said it any better.

 

[brucelinc]

Some of these posts have focused on the financial aspects of new vs. used. I would agree that in most cases settling for a used car is probably more FINANCIALLY wise. However, some of us are very fussy enthusiasts and look beyond the simple financial aspects.

I have owned 4 Mustangs including 2 S550s. The 2018 is far ahead of any of the others in terms of features, performance, refinement, and overall enjoyment. I loved my 2016 GT. However, even if my 2016 gave me 95% of the enjoyment of my 2018, it would not be enough. I won't settle for just 95% when it comes to something I am passionate about. I don't mind having a 10 year old washing machine, refrigerator or other appliance. I don't need the biggest fanciest house or the latest smartphone or TV. However, I bought a new Mustang GT with the 401a package, active exhaust, A10, 3.55 gear, shaker pro, and safe & smart package because it gave me what it took to scratch my itch....and I could afford it.

I would never criticize anyone for buying a used car if they are willing to settle for a bit less in return for saving some money. The person who bought my 2016 got a great car at a fair price. Each of us just have to decide our own priorities.

 

[VooDooDaddy]

Each of us just have to decide our own priorities.

^^^^ That is what makes this country the greatest in history. We each get to earn our money as we see fit, and spend it as we see fit.

 

[Nomadic]

I'd take a base A10 Mustang GT new over a modded to death 2016-2017 any day. I had a '15 GT PP supercharged with lots of mods. Yeah it was crazy fast.......too fast for the streets. And if you don't know how to wrench or have an issu with the blower (I don't, nor do I have the time), you take to a shop which costs money and time.

Not to mention a base A10 sounds bad ass and if fast as hell (even non 3.55). Buy it, drive it, forget about it. Hopefully it's reliable and you have a warranty. And the A10 blows away the A6 in every way possible. If you want an auto, I'd say get the A10 if you can afford it. Heck, they were going to sell me a base A10 for $31K. Needs no mods IMO.

 

[JCFoster]

Having a ‘16 auto with only 17k miles it’s been flawless, predictable, and smooth. But, it’s not a drivers car. I also have no desire for an A10. I think they’re overrated. Being the fastest in a drag race doesn’t do anything for me and could care less. In several years I don’t see them as being as reliable when they start getting some miles on them, say around 75k. I would try a M6. With that, if I was wanting a car to mod up and wanted an auto an 18 or 19 wouldn’t be it especially with the rapid depreciation unless you could get a killer deal.

 

[Shifting_Gears]

What have we learned here today, children?

 

[VooDooDaddy]

What have we learned here today, children?

At the end of the day, it depends on whom you are asking? With that being said, I have really enjoyed and appreciate all the responses given thus far. The Mustang community here is a good one.

 

[Noggles]

Having a ‘16 auto with only 17k miles it’s been flawless, predictable, and smooth. But, it’s not a drivers car. I also have no desire for an A10. I think they’re overrated. Being the fastest in a drag race doesn’t do anything for me and could care less. In several years I don’t see them as being as reliable when they start getting some miles on them, say around 75k. I would try a M6. With that, if I was wanting a car to mod up and wanted an auto an 18 or 19 wouldn’t be it especially with the rapid depreciation unless you could get a killer deal.

For the record you are questioning the 10 speed reliability while saying that you think the 6 speed manual is reliable? Driving dynamics aside, there's no way the 6 speed is better at anything unless you are talking about a Shelby.

Also I don't see how its overrated when it performs on par with full bolt on and tuned 15-17s. Driving dynamic wise, its not a DCT on a race track but its more than adequate on a back road with some twisty corners. Its more fun there than my old 6 speed manual car. I don't think the A6 could come anywhere close to it especially having driven both.

 

[brucelinc]

If the 10 speed is not reliable, Ford and GM will be in trouble. It is going into every RWD vehicle they make including the cash cow F150 as well as all of Ford's new models that will be on the CD6 platform like the Explorer. There are software differences between different models but the basic transmission is the same.

I have no qualms about the strength and reliability of the 10R80.

 

[Bluemustang]

The 6R80 is a bullet proof ZF design. I personally prefer the 6 auto over the 10 auto. I had an 10 auto EB loaner and didn't like the 10 at all. Too many gears and too abrasive compared to the 6 IMO.

Also keep in mind that 2015 is a 50th anniversary year and therefore more desirable than a 16 or 17.

I agree completely. And it seems like Ford has not gotten the bugs out of the 10R80 yet because I see quite a few issues arising on this forum alone.

Put a tune to the 6R80 and it's quite a performer. The 10R80 will launch you quicker to 0-60 though so I can see why people would want it. I don't see the need for 10 gears either.

Ford has been using the 6R80 for many years and it's a durable tranny.

 

[brucelinc]

Put a tune to the 6R80 and it's quite a performer. The 10R80 will launch you quicker to 0-60 though so I can see why people would want it. I don't see the need for 10 gears either.

Ford has been using the 6R80 for many years and it's a durable tranny.

Ford used the old 3 speed C6 for many years and it was near bullet proof, too. However, it became obsolete as progress was made. Same is true of the 6R80. Good transmission but made obsolete by the 10R80.

Keep in mind the 10 speed only uses all 10 gears at WOT or when using one of the performance modes. It's closer ratios keep the engine in the optimal rpm range for performance. 10th with a .64 ratio is a good cruising gear for low engine rpm. 9th is very close at .69 and it is nearly impossible to feel upshifts or downshifts between those two.

 

[Bluemustang]

Ford used the old 3 speed C6 for many years and it was near bullet proof, too. However, it became obsolete as progress was made. Same is true of the 6R80. Good transmission but made obsolete by the 10R80.

Keep in mind the 10 speed only uses all 10 gears at WOT or when using one of the performance modes. It's closer ratios keep the engine in the optimal rpm range for performance. 10th with a .64 ratio is a good cruising gear for low engine rpm. 9th is very close at .69 and it is nearly impossible to feel upshifts or downshifts between those two.

True. I can't argue, you got me there. Let's see how it durable it turns out to be. No doubt - the 10R80 is faster. However, the complaints about the slowness of the shifting in the 6R80 - that's all about the calibration. With a tune it will shift as quickly as one would need to.

 

[brucelinc]

At first, I was resistant to have so many gears. I still think it could be overkill when paired with an engine with a lot of low end torque. It doesn't seem to help the torquey Camaro nearly as much as it does the higher revving Coyote.

I have had some experience with the 10 speed in an Ecoboost F150. It is probably good for towing but for just normal driving, I don't see much advantage over the 6 speed in that application. The 3.5 ecoboost is a torque monster and doesn't really care what gear it is in.

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