Deciding between GT Auto and EB Manual coupe

[JoeC1982]

Just wondering, what are your goals?

I run a small performance parts business so i need a more mod friendly platform to show off various companies products. I'm also looking for a little higher performance level than what my car can top out even fully modded.

+2

OP, why not a manual coupe?

Ford is saying the 2015 Mustang will beat the 2013 Boss 302 on the track. So it can handle, thats for sure!

I will drive a manual GT also but doubtful that i would buy one, just never been a manual guy unless its a less powerful car. Most of my previous cars have been more handling or otherwise focused, nothing with a ton of power but ready to change that. I have had a ton of different cars, the list is too long to even post but lots of imports and some Ram hemi regular cab sport trucks.

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[Dirk McGurck]

You only want to drive less powerful manual cars? I just can't get on the same page as you.

 

[S3XPanther]

You only want to drive less powerful manual cars? I just can't get on the same page as you.

+1

 

[Trackaholic]

You only want to drive less powerful manual cars? I just can't get on the same page as you.

I think he prefers an automatic, but if he went with the lower powered car he'd consider a manual in order to keep the performance high.

For thE OP: I thnk with a six speed auto, there won't be much of a performance advantage to the stick shift, except for things like track days and autoX. Therefore you could get an auto with either engine choice.

-T

 

[Dirk McGurck]

I think he prefers an automatic, but if he went with the lower powered car he'd consider a manual in order to keep the performance high.

For thE OP: I thnk with a six speed auto, there won't be much of a performance advantage to the stick shift, except for things like track days and autoX. Therefore you could get an auto with either engine choice.

-T

Yeah, I'm still not getting it.

 

[JoeC1982]

I think he prefers an automatic, but if he went with the lower powered car he'd consider a manual in order to keep the performance high.

For thE OP: I thnk with a six speed auto, there won't be much of a performance advantage to the stick shift, except for things like track days and autoX. Therefore you could get an auto with either engine choice.

-T

Correct, my first choice is auto GT but if the EB handles a lot better by some odd chance then i will consider the manual on it.
I don't want to start some big deal about auto vs manual, i prefer auto but i think an EB/manual combo could be something special. I have read a lot of negatives about the GT manual in the previous cars so we'll just have to see. Obviously some of you guys prefer manual, there is no one right answer that's why they give us the choice.

 

[nametoshowothers]

Correct, my first choice is auto GT but if the EB handles a lot better by some odd chance then i will consider the manual on it.
I don't want to start some big deal about auto vs manual, i prefer auto but i think an EB/manual combo could be something special. I have read a lot of negatives about the GT manual in the previous cars so we'll just have to see. Obviously some of you guys prefer manual, there is no one right answer that's why they give us the choice.

I do not think the EB will out handle the gt, unless on a small autocross course. Of course depends on what you define handling as. The GT is suppose to be better than a boss, hard to beat that.

 

[JoeC1982]

I do not think the EB will out handle the gt, unless on a small autocross course. Of course depends on what you define handling as. The GT is suppose to be better than a boss, hard to beat that.

You are right about that, just wondering more about steering feel and if the weight loss up front will make any difference with my drive. I used to own a Scion FRS with some mods and should have kept it, was perfect for my area just lacking power. My ATS handles very well, i was surprised actually when i test drove it and its got decent power but i'm wanting something faster but without losing the nimble feeling.

 

[1cobra]

2 things

Hi,
The turbo 4 will probably be 180 lbs lighter than the new GT(350+ lbs lighter than the old GT) and have the track pack and large brakes so it will beat the GT around an average track. If you doubt it just look at the euro rally cars.
The turbo responds better with an automatic on acceleration as you have full boost going into the next gear just like the grand national buicks that were fast at the drags, powerbrake the engine to build boost and your gone. if you powershift a manual trans it will fry the clutch.
Should be interesting having a 4 cylinder beat up on a lot of muscle cars.
Perry.

 

[Gman11Gt]

Comes down to what you want. If your into drag, consistently running good ETs along with having a DD you definitely want the Auto. Even in stock form, the modern auto with the proper tune and set up is superior along with it being near bullet proof in stock form.

For track and more fun while reliving your youth. I would take a manual all day every day. I tend to like my manual in a more lighter weight higher reviving car. The Mustang GT just does a lot better in the Auto transmission.

I like the variety myself. I would buy the Auto in the new GT, but would have a manual in the EB4. Just my personal preference.

 

[Whiskey11]

Hi,
The turbo 4 will probably be 180 lbs lighter than the new GT(350+ lbs lighter than the old GT) and have the track pack and large brakes so it will beat the GT around an average track. If you doubt it just look at the euro rally cars.
The turbo responds better with an automatic on acceleration as you have full boost going into the next gear just like the grand national buicks that were fast at the drags, powerbrake the engine to build boost and your gone. if you powershift a manual trans it will fry the clutch.
Should be interesting having a 4 cylinder beat up on a lot of muscle cars.
Perry.

I will be shocked if the EB4/PP does better on ANY roadcourse than the base GT. It is going to have to literally rock the corners to survive the butt rape on the straights.

At an autocross event, I'd chose the EB4/PP all day long (I'm a glutton for punishment ) but for a roadcourse, a GT's 100+ HP and TRQ is going to be a absolute killer on the straights.

 

[1cobra]

NO

Hi,
Actually there is usually only 1 longer straight on a course with say 14 turns. The brakes are actually more important as the 4 will slow and turn better in all those corners and be far ahead by the time the main straight comes around, if the GT could catch it then would lose the leed on the next tight corner.
My opinion; E stock winner
Perry.

 

[Trackaholic]

Hi,
Actually there is usually only 1 longer straight on a course with say 14 turns. The brakes are actually more important as the 4 will slow and turn better in all those corners and be far ahead by the time the main straight comes around, if the GT could catch it then would lose the leed on the next tight corner.
My opinion; E stock winner
Perry.

With that much of a power advantage, the GT will pull ahead on short straights as well, IMO. Like Whiskey said, maybe in an AutoX the two will be close, but on any kind of track I believe the GT will be ahead overall.

-T

 

[Whiskey11]

Hi,
Actually there is usually only 1 longer straight on a course with say 14 turns. The brakes are actually more important as the 4 will slow and turn better in all those corners and be far ahead by the time the main straight comes around, if the GT could catch it then would lose the leed on the next tight corner.
My opinion; E stock winner
Perry.

Lets take this to the extreme shall we? Boss 302 Laguna Seca vs 2013 GT500 PP/TP, car and Driver's Lightning Lap at VIR (yes, it's a power course but has A LOT of handling sections):
Boss 302 LS: 3:02.8
GT500: 3:00.6

The weight difference between the GT500 and Boss 302 is a bit bigger than the EB4PP and New GT is assumed to be, but it's pretty close. The power difference is larger though. That's comparing a "turd" handling car (GT500) to a proper handling car (Boss 302).

I fully expect a similar thing to occur between the base GT and the EB4 PP which for all we know will have the same suspension under it.

 

[scottpe]

Hi,
The brakes are actually more important as the 4 will slow and turn better in all those corners and be far ahead by the time the main straight comes around, if the GT could catch it then would lose the leed on the next tight corner.

Regarding brakes, one thing to keep in mind is that the GT+PP gets better brakes than the Ecoboost+PP. GT gets 15 inch rotors with 6-piston calipers. EB gets 13.9 inch rotors with 4-pot calipers.

So the bigger/better brakes on the GT+PP should significantly narrow any potential gap in braking performance between the two. Combine the better brakes with the 100+ HP advantage, and I suspect the GT wins in most scenarios...

EDIT: There's one more feather in the GT's cap... the GT+PP comes with wider 275 tires, compared to the EB+PP's 255s. So 100+ HP more + wider tires + better brakes = Advantage GT me thinks...

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