Future Mustang?

[Performance nut]

Hi all. I am considering getting a 2015 Mustang GT but I haven't driven a Mustang in 18 years. My preference right now is AT, to be honest I have never been good at driving MT. I had a few questions that I can't find that I'm hoping someone on here can give some insight.

1. Is there a reason why Ford put the PP on the MT but not on the AT?
   • I would think most of the parts would work despite what transmission you use. I'm wondering if it is because some parts don't fit/work or if it is merely that they thought there would be minimal market?
2. Is the PP worth it?
   • For $2500, for those who do all their own work, I can see this being a matter of opinion. For those who have professionals to modify their cars, I can see this being one hell of a deal. Anyone have some insight? Wheels and brakes seem to be the big ticket items but they all add up pretty quick.
3. Is the AT robust?
   • I looked around and saw some conflicting search results. I plan on modifying my car and just want to know if it can handle modifications and how much power it can withstand before dramatically reducing its life.

I'm sure I have more questions but these are the bigger ones I have right now. I appreciate the insight.

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[SeventhWard]

Welcome.

1. To make the Limited Edition more limited? No one here knows with 100% certainty and theories run abound. For 2015 you CAN get the Performance Pack with Automatic Transmission only with an Ecoboost OR a European market GT.
2. Yes, it's worth it. If you were to try to add each component to a non-PP Mustang, you'll easily spend more than $2500 - it's a great bundle and presents great savings opposed to doing it a la carte.
3. My impressions from reading posts here is that the manual transmission, the Chinese built MT-82, is much improved in the 2015 Mustang - however it has vocal critics. The most I know about the AT is that it's built in the US and I recall some dude here calling it "bulletproof".

Stick around. Keep reading. These are hot topics so there's multiple threads discussing the same thing. And pay attention to the guys who are using aftermarket suspension components to outperform the factory PP. And go get the car, its time to ride.

-SeventhWard

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Question number three: the automatic transmission is bulletproof. It has a reputation for handling crazy power -- drag guys were getting over 800 hp at the wheels with no modifications other than a new torque converter. The manual transmission has a spotty rep.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

The 6R80 automatic is bulletproof and is the transmission of choice for drag racing. My '14 GT automatic has over 100 passes at our local 1/4 mile dragstrips on sticky drag radials w/o issue. My '11 GT had the MT-82 manual and it was not a good trans for drag racing. Missed shifts, cold start grinding, clutch pedal sticking to the floor, etc. I even swapped to an MGW Ltd shift assembly and it only helped a little. Supposedly, the MT-92 is better in the '15 GT's, but I love my 6R80 way too much now that I've owned both transmissions. Oh, I should mention that historically I've preferred manuals. I've owned 8 Mustangs and only 2 have been automatics, but those two automatics were awesome ('07 5R55S and '14 6R80).

 

[Twin Turbo]

Agree with everything the gentlemen above have said.

Personally, I'd wait until the '16MY is announced as, hopefully, the PP with be available with the auto at that point.

 

[minjitta]

Lets hopes 2016 GT AT have PP once LE are gone.

 

[berserker_sid]

This thread is interesting and informative

 

[SVTFreak]

The 6R80 automatic is bulletproof and is the transmission of choice for drag racing. My '14 GT automatic has over 100 passes at our local 1/4 mile dragstrips on sticky drag radials w/o issue. My '11 GT had the MT-82 manual and it was not a good trans for drag racing. Missed shifts, cold start grinding, clutch pedal sticking to the floor, etc. I even swapped to an MGW Ltd shift assembly and it only helped a little. Supposedly, the MT-92 is better in the '15 GT's, but I love my 6R80 way too much now that I've owned both transmissions. Oh, I should mention that historically I've preferred manuals. I've owned 8 Mustangs and only 2 have been automatics, but those two automatics were awesome ('07 5R55S and '14 6R80).

What he said.

My 11 was the mt82. Never failed but never was smooth or consistent (how could it be notchy one day and smooth the next with same temperatures?). My 15 is auto. I'll never go back.

 

[imjuslazy]

I would get the auto. Much better transmission of the two. Plus Sync 3 comes out for 2016.

 

[elfiero]

I gave this subject a lot of serious thought before going with the GT Premium non-PP. Several reasons: unless you are autocrossing, the Brembo brakes are serious overkill. The PP wheels have a smaller sidewalls and summer-only tread that requires a winter set of wheels-no option. They tend to magnify small imperfections in the road surfaces- this is fine if you drive 10 tenths all the time, but commuting and grocery getting? it's a PITA. The car already comes with more than enough cooling capacity for us 99%ers. I plan on putting on Steeda swaybars and lowering springs(kit-$700), which are at least as good as the PP counterparts. So it comes down to preference- I don't care for M/Ts on a day to day basis, and judging by the fact you say you haven't driven a mustang for 18 years, I suspect you have reached that "certain age" where your not that interested in it either. More power to the young guys that want to row the gears every time they drive to work or golfing! Me, I'll let otto take care of shifting- he's better at it anyway.

 

[Performance nut]

Agree with everything the gentlemen above have said.

Personally, I'd wait until the '16MY is announced as, hopefully, the PP with be available with the auto at that point.

I was really considering that just to see what next year brings. A GT350 probably wont be in my future but it would be nice to see what it will cost.

I gave this subject a lot of serious thought before going with the GT Premium non-PP. Several reasons: unless you are autocrossing, the Brembo brakes are serious overkill. The PP wheels have a smaller sidewalls and summer-only tread that requires a winter set of wheels-no option. They tend to magnify small imperfections in the road surfaces- this is fine if you drive 10 tenths all the time, but commuting and grocery getting? it's a PITA. The car already comes with more than enough cooling capacity for us 99%ers. I plan on putting on Steeda swaybars and lowering springs(kit-$700), which are at least as good as the PP counterparts. So it comes down to preference- I don't care for M/Ts on a day to day basis, and judging by the fact you say you haven't driven a mustang for 18 years, I suspect you have reached that "certain age" where your not that interested in it either. More power to the young guys that want to row the gears every time they drive to work or golfing! Me, I'll let otto take care of shifting- he's better at it anyway.

This was the sort of response I was looking for in regards to the PP!

• I figured the brakes were an overkill but again, I'm not familiar with the newer Mustangs. I wouldn't mind hitting an autocross or two or ten but it isn't my goal right now. But I haven't ruled it out either and I know how expensive brake mods can get. Would a good aftermarket pad and some slotted rotors help with infrequent track time (for those not looking to break records but just get out and have fun)?
• Wheels aren't a big thing for me, I'm more into function that looks. So long as they aren't heavy and tires don't cost an arm and a leg, I'm good with just about anything.
• My <insert performance vehicle name from competing manufacturer here> use to have a rather stiff suspension which I absolutely loved how it handled in the turns and endured on the street. Since I like my filling inside my teeth, I don't wish to overdo it. I'm no stranger to suspension mods but don't exactly enjoy doing them either. $700 for springs seems nice but with labor, closer to $1500? How bad do Mustangs "scrape" when you lower them? I like cars that sit low, just curious how crazy it gets.
• As for the automatic, like I said, I'm not good at it. I can do it but it starts to become a chore for me and gets to the point where I only want to do it for special events. I literally would need a rev matching technology to really give me the capability to drive this everyday and not be annoyed by it. I saw something that said something along the lines of "hill assist" but had no idea what that was.

Thanks all for the confirmation concerning the AT. I really feel better knowing these can roll with the punches very well. That way if they ever release a supercharger for AT's, I know I don't have to worry about the transmission too much.

The engine on the other hand, not sure why they did away with forged pistons but it still isn't something to sneeze at. I honestly like the Hellion TT setup. Don't really care to push 1200HP as the system advertises it can but making a Mustang variant of the Hellcat would be hella cool.

 

[OppoLock]

Interesting how opinions on the 6R80 are so different. I guess if you're into drag racing and durability, it's a good option. If you base an auto's merits on shift response and shift speed, I find it about as mediocre as people's opinions on the MT82. Go figure!

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Interesting how opinions on the 6R80 are so different. I guess if you're into drag racing and durability, it's a good option. If you base an auto's merits on shift response and shift speed, I find it about as mediocre as people's opinions on the MT82. Go figure!

It's not as technologically advanced as a ZF automatic, but there have been people having problems with catastrophic failures in ZF's. The 6R80 is somewhat lower-tech, but the transmission itself will outlast the rest of your car. Which is a big concern if you plan on keeping the car around for more than just the term of a loan.

 

[Branden]

Interesting how opinions on the 6R80 are so different. I guess if you're into drag racing and durability, it's a good option. If you base an auto's merits on shift response and shift speed, I find it about as mediocre as people's opinions on the MT82. Go figure!

I've heard these criticisms before, but I've been really happy with the shifting in sport mode. Drop it into normal and it shifts like a luxury sedan again. I actually enjoy it more than I thought I would, and my previous Mustang was a manual GT.

 

[Farmundeh]

I've heard these criticisms before, but I've been really happy with the shifting in sport mode. Drop it into normal and it shifts like a luxury sedan again. I actually enjoy it more than I thought I would, and my previous Mustang was a manual GT.

I might be alone on this one, but I'm not a fan of the shifting in sport mode - it's a little too all over the place and delayed IMO. I love the throttle response though.

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