Auto test drive

[Timewarp]

Just deciding whether to go for the Mustang or not, so I went down for another test drive the other day, unfortunately they only had the GT auto in (I would be after the GT manual). Also it was the convertible they had and I would be after the fastback (not sure the difference in handling, if any?).

Didn't seem a patch on the manual that I first drove a few months ago. It seemed a bit dull to be honest, although this could be due to the salesman not allowing me to use sport mode, or to even take it on any decent, less restricted roads.

Is it me, or is there night and day between the "fun" factor in the autos and the manuals? Does sport mode make that much of a difference?

I do remember the GT being awesome when I first had a go, however this might be due to not driving anything else of similar performance for a while before, whereas now I've driven a couple of others (A45 AMG & M135i). Granted, nothing is really in the same category as the Mustang (i.e. V8 for the price it is).

I think I'll have to have another test drive of the manual before I decide whether to go with the Mustang, or one of my other contenders. :s

Sponsored

 

[marks]

Yep, I completely agree. I drove the auto in the states and it was by my standards sedate and then the manual a few months back in the UK, although better than the auto still a bit sedate. The manual is always going to be more fun than an auto, you buy the auto for convenience. But then people like Chris Harris says it feels like a 4.8 second to 60 car in manual but for me it didn't when I test drove it. The reasons I think it felt sedate for me are:
1. I couldn't really open her up as it was wet and the salesman wouldn't let me. Apparently you don't get the full 'throw back in the seat' force until around 5000rpm.
2. There were 4 adults in the car.
3. It was on comfort mode - I understand that in sport plus or race the throttle response improves.

Yes, I'm going to test drive again when the weather improves before making the decision over this or the new M2.

 

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

It is an old school auto and as such is shall never be as engaging as the manual to drive. It will be super smooth and just change through gears effortless in D mode.

In sport mode they will feel a tad firmer and you can use the paddles, but when you pull a gear do it 1s before you want to because its quite a slow box.

My advice if you drive in heavy traffic often and want to drag race or traffic light grand prix is your thing, buy the AUTO.

If you want more fun, more interaction and enjoy weekend blast buy the manual!

Ford will hopefully announce the 10-speed DCT style auto in the Mustang in the future, this I would take over a manual as gear changes will be super fast like 100ms or faster, aggressive and firm, feels great. Those who have driven Porsches with PDK Sports plus or BMW M with DCT will know what I am on about and the new 10-speed in sport/manual mode should be just as good when it comes.

 

[Gibbo205]

Yep, I completely agree. I drove the auto in the states and it was by my standards sedate and then the manual a few months back in the UK, although better than the auto still a bit sedate. The manual is always going to be more fun than an auto, you buy the auto for convenience. But then people like Chris Harris says it feels like a 4.8 second to 60 car in manual but for me it didn't when I test drove it. The reasons I think it felt sedate for me are:
1. I couldn't really open her up as it was wet and the salesman wouldn't let me. Apparently you don't get the full 'throw back in the seat' force until around 5000rpm.
2. There were 4 adults in the car.
3. It was on comfort mode - I understand that in sport plus or race the throttle response improves.

Yes, I'm going to test drive again when the weather improves before making the decision over this or the new M2.

The cars ECU limits torque and throttle opening depending on a whole array of signals from various sensors and parameters through the car. So in 1st the car never gives you full power until 3000rpm, this is handy however because from a standstill I just launch from idle and transition instantly into full throttle so the car gets off the mark with ever so slight spin and at 3000rpm plus it pulls very hard whilst still partially slipping the rears, into 2nd get a little squirm and of you go, feels sub 5s for sure.

Race mode in the dry on warm tyres is much better, crisper throttle response the nannies allow wheel spin and stability control won't engage unless you get too much slip angle without enough corrective lock.

In the wet on the Pzero the car needs a lot of respect, be smooth, but when I had Pzero on my 911 they were aweful in cold/wet conditions they give no confidence to push, in the dry they are an OK tyre, but I shall be throwing on MPSS in Summer which are vastly better at everything and last twice as long if not longer.

 

[marks]

Ford will hopefully announce the 10-speed DCT style auto in the Mustang in the future, this I would take over a manual as gear changes will be super fast like 100ms or faster, aggressive and firm, feels great. Those who have driven Porsches with PDK Sports plus or BMW M with DCT will know what I am on about and the new 10-speed in sport/manual mode should be just as good when it comes.

Andreas Preuninger from Porsche perfectly sums up the auto/manual debate in the video link below. A lot of 'clients' are not bothered by the last millisecond to 60 and would rather be included more with the driving experience.

[ame]

 

[marks]

The cars ECU limits torque and throttle opening depending on a whole array of signals from various sensors and parameters through the car. So in 1st the car never gives you full power until 3000rpm, this is handy however because from a standstill I just launch from idle and transition instantly into full throttle so the car gets off the mark with ever so slight spin and at 3000rpm plus it pulls very hard whilst still partially slipping the rears, into 2nd get a little squirm and of you go, feels sub 5s for sure.

Race mode in the dry on warm tyres is much better, crisper throttle response the nannies allow wheel spin and stability control won't engage unless you get too much slip angle without enough corrective lock.

In the wet on the Pzero the car needs a lot of respect, be smooth, but when I had Pzero on my 911 they were aweful in cold/wet conditions they give no confidence to push, in the dry they are an OK tyre, but I shall be throwing on MPSS in Summer which are vastly better at everything and last twice as long if not longer.

Thanks. Good info

 

[Timewarp]

Ford will hopefully announce the 10-speed DCT style auto in the Mustang in the future, this I would take over a manual as gear changes will be super fast like 100ms or faster, aggressive and firm, feels great. Those who have driven Porsches with PDK Sports plus or BMW M with DCT will know what I am on about and the new 10-speed in sport/manual mode should be just as good when it comes.

I know exactly what you mean. The BMW has the ZF gearbox - I initially wanted to drive the manual but the BMW dealer only had the auto. I was blown away by it and would definitely get the auto if I decide on the 1 series.

As you say though, the 'tang auto is a different beast.

 

[Beachfun]

Which dealers have an Auto GT ?
Many thanks

 

[slowhand99]

Just deciding whether to go for the Mustang or not, so I went down for another test drive the other day, unfortunately they only had the GT auto in (I would be after the GT manual). Also it was the convertible they had and I would be after the fastback (not sure the difference in handling, if any?).

Didn't seem a patch on the manual that I first drove a few months ago. It seemed a bit dull to be honest, although this could be due to the salesman not allowing me to use sport mode, or to even take it on any decent, less restricted roads.

Is it me, or is there night and day between the "fun" factor in the autos and the manuals? Does sport mode make that much of a difference?

I do remember the GT being awesome when I first had a go, however this might be due to not driving anything else of similar performance for a while before, whereas now I've driven a couple of others (A45 AMG & M135i). Granted, nothing is really in the same category as the Mustang (i.e. V8 for the price it is).

I think I'll have to have another test drive of the manual before I decide whether to go with the Mustang, or one of my other contenders. :s

I have an auto convertible GT.

With the auto you have 2 levels of sport mode; one being the gearbox sport mode which shifts later, holds gears on the paddle shift and gives engine braking (and throttle blipping); and the sport mode, track mode, snow/wet mode selection on the toggle switch. Together they really wake it up. Assuming to was dry the salesman should really have at least let you run the box in sport mode even if he didn't let you select the engine/traction sport mode to give you a better idea. The other issue with test driving an auto is that it learns how you like to drive it. It is probable that car has been pootling around in wet mode and is not going to adapt to your inputs on a test drive.

In terms of handling I have detected a little shake on really unsettling surfaces in my vert which is to be expected so you may have felt it wasn't as taut as the coupe.

However you use the box it won't be as snappy as the latest 9/10 speed offerings that are coming through.

 

[GR11M]

Which dealers have an Auto GT ?
Many thanks

Near me Harlow has the manual and Stevenage has the auto

 

[tooley]

slushmatic all the way in traffic and pootling about with a bit of WAAAA on tap in sport modes when you want to. Personal preferences i guess
Ps - I actually like the auto 'noise' if you know what I mean. Its been said before on here but pulling away from rest it's classic American burble.

 

[Nostruss]

Auto every time for me. It's not the most responsive in D and the changes are not the smoothest, but as [MENTION=19311]tooley[/MENTION] said I like the grunty auto V8 sound accelerating. Horses for courses.

 

[jord79]

Drive both if you can then decide. I'd have really liked that manual, but on balance I went for the auto due to a large proportion of heavy traffic driving. Been using a manual for the last few weeks, and found myself getting very frustrated during the commute. GT Auto does feel a little 'progressive' with it's acceleration, but then I haven't dared try sport to track mode yet (having only had the car for a day), but switching to manual shift mode definitely livens stuff up from the word go!

 

[jord79]

Just to add, after putting 100 or so miles on the car, and it 'learning' my driving style (although I'm still learning my driving style in this beast!) the throttle response does seem to have sharpened up a bit on launch. Also, having read the manual section on the transmission it would appear that 'S' isn't specifically a manual shift mode, but is indeed a sport gearbox mode. It reads as though the paddle shifters are just there to use as and when you like and the gearbox will make the shifts as it decides according to which mode it's in if you don't. This would explain why the car comes to life noticeably more in 'S'.

 

[Actual]

The 2015 Mustang GT auto will auto shift when D or S is selected. In D you can temporarily override the auto box which is especially good for engine braking. If you are in S and use the paddles even once then it goes into manual mode. It will shift down nicely if you are coming to a complete stop but it won't shift up when you need to get going again which can result in trying to get around a roundabout in 1st gear because you forgot it was in manual mode.

Using S and manual mode is excellent for cruising on the motorway in 6th gear. If the auto shift is working in either D or S and you need to increase speed and you apply power then the gearbox will shift down and you take off at warp speed. If you are already in manual mode them you can apply power and increase speed using engine power alone. For extra acceleration you can flick down to 5th for a few seconds.

I find the auto to be tricky in the cold and wet after 3000 miles I'm now much more familiar and confident with the auto.

Sponsored