5.0 V8 - Automatic vs Manual

[intoadaze]

Hey Everyone,

As I wait for the 2015 Mustang to come out I'm debating on wether to get it Automatic or Manual. The problem is that I don't know how to drive Manual. I do have friends that are willing to teach me but is it enough time from now till Fall to be decent at it?

I wouldn't want to mess up the transmission on the new mustang, and well the 2015 will have paddle shifters which I kind of like.

So any advice, pros and cons would be highly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

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[Nate408]

Should be plenty of time. Just don't expect to be as fast / redlining every shift perfectly / driving stick like a boss after a few months. That being said as long as you are careful you can learn more than enough to avoid damage before the Mustang is available.

Get the Manual if practice goes well / you like it!

 

[Hashbrownn]

Learning to drive manual transmission is not as hard as you think, since you already know how to drive and follow the traffic law. In my experience it only takes a day or two to learn or teach others how to drive a manual transmission. I've taught both my sister and wife.
Modern cars now day have traction control... you can rev it up, dump the clutch, and let the electronics figure it out for you. I've let my wife and sister do this a few times in my car. I think knowing the fact that the traction control is there, helped with their confidence.

In my opinion, conventional automatic with torque converter can't match the speed and connectivity that manual transmission offers.

Of course, you should try to learn to drive manual before buying one.

 

[MadMoose]

It only takes a couple days to learn stick well enough to get by. Especially easy now that everything has hill start assist.

 

[Grimace427]

I tought myself how to drive manual by purchasing a car with one and forcing myself to learn quick. I'll never go back to an auto. Even tought my girlfriend to drive stick and she will say she will also never go back to an auto.

 

[nyyankees2589]

Same here. I didnt learn manual until I purchased my 03 gt. Honestly I dont think ive actually had a direct benefit from driving stick but I sure wont be going back to auto. The fun factor is totally worth. I say go for manual.

 

[mustang317]

i am also thinking about buying a cheap honda civic for the summer to learn how to drive stick

 

[Thed]

Have your friend give you the run down on it and have a few parking lot sessions of him teaching you. After you get the feel for it see if you can borrow a car from someone to get some solid on-road experience. You should be good enough after about a week.

 

[PC4621]

A stick for sure

My motto is that if you're going to get a sports car, get a stick for sure. Anyone can learn to drive a stick in a weekend with no trouble. Just remember that each one has a different feel, so when you get your new Stang it might take a few minutes to adjust.

 

[Chameleon]

Manual all the way.

 

[Frizzle]

Unless ford is offering a twin clutch Direct gear transmission... I wouldn't bother with flappy paddles on a car.

Get the manual or go home...

 

[TakeMyMoneyFord]

Hi intoadaze, I also live in Los Angeles and traffic is so bad here that I will be getting the auto. It will be my daily driver so the paddles will have to do.

 

[RTD]

Real cars have 3 pedals.

 

[BLITZM]

Unless ford is offering a twin clutch Direct gear transmission... I wouldn't bother with flappy paddles on a car.

Get the manual or go home...

Even twin clutch stuff is nonsense. Just get a manual and you'll love it.

 

[Grimace427]

Twin clutch transmissions still use valvebodies and software, so if anything an actual auto with a torque converter will be smoother and more comfortable in traffic. Twin clutch transmissions are still too clunky for me a low speeds, they aren't as good at slipping a clutch as a human. When racing yes they are lightning fast but take the fun out of shifting yourself.

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