Orders Placed AT or MT?

[DMassey]

we are ordering a manual.... because the wife suggested it! I had sorta gotten used to an auto tranny in my Lightning, and I like how well it helped manage big power. But when the WIFE says we should get a manual, what kinda husband would I be if I said no to that lol

I do miss the "control" of a manual. I don't road race the car so I won't miss the paddle shifters (we NEVER use them on our Acura TSX).

Sponsored

 

[phil1336]

I wanted dearly to order the 2015 Mustang Convertible with the Ecoboost 2.3 L 4 cyl. engine and the 6 speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, that requires a boost in MSRP from $29.925 up to $ 35,495. Lots of "bells & whistles" added no doubt but a $5.500 hit, regardless. Decided I`m going with the Base V6 instead of the "Premium" Ecoboost 2.3. Convertible since you cant order that in regular Trim Since I`m going that route, going for AT for $1100 extra. Resale value for (all/any) stick shifts are terrible. Even VW Jetta, Passat, BMW, Audi, etc get killed at the Auction. You save a grand up front and lose $3 or $4 Grand at trade in time. If you live in a heavily congested area with lots of stop & go driving and highway traffic jams, putting that left foot down on the clutch a thousand times in an hour get tired real quick! Personally, I won`t ever use the "paddle" shifters. Just shift it into (D) and drive, everything else is a gimmick, imo.

 

[scottpe]

Even VW Jetta, Passat, BMW, Audi, etc get killed at the Auction. You save a grand up front and lose $3 or $4 Grand at trade in time.

The customer demographic for those cars is probably a bit different. There's no doubt that autos are more popular overall regardless of brand/model, but I suspect there is a larger percentage of Mustang customers that are interested in a manual than with those other brands.

Anyone that is overly concerned about resale value should steer clear of Mustangs in general, because you're going to be disappointed.

And potentially sacrificing the enjoyment of the car, potentially for years, out of concern for resale value is a shame. Life is short. Buy the car with the features you really want and enjoy the heck out of it!

 

[alterbrett]

I had a manual on my 2010 Camaro SS. I loved it. It was fun. I had an automatic daily driver at the time which made the Camaro feel extra special. I considered a manual strongly on the Mustang GT 401A I have on order but for me personally the extra effort of shifting in traffic made me go automatic. After seeing the Ecoboost videos I think this could be the first car I actually use the paddle shifters in. I currently drive a Fusion Titanium which is a great car. I have been longing for a sports car since departing with my Camaro so needless to say I am ecstatic about my GT and can't wait to get it.

 

[Snakedriver]

No PP on the auto, I went with the manual.

 

[phil1336]

The customer demographic for those cars is probably a bit different. There's no doubt that autos are more popular overall regardless of brand/model, but I suspect there is a larger percentage of Mustang customers that are interested in a manual than with those other brands.

Anyone that is overly concerned about resale value should steer clear of Mustangs in general, because you're going to be disappointed.

And potentially sacrificing the enjoyment of the car, potentially for years, out of concern for resale value is a shame. Life is short. Buy the car with the features you really want and enjoy the heck out of it!

I might add, since I work at Manheim Auction Palm Beach part-time on Auction Sale Day, its not just (certain) Brands and styles of Vehicles that get beat up with "manual" transmissions. On "High Line" Sale Days, Maserati`s, Lamborgini`s, Ferrari`s, HP Audi`s all with (mid-engine) drive, the Automatic`s with paddle shifters are the staple. Very few manual transmissions cross the Auction block now anymore and when they do, they bring very low bids or none at all. You can` even order most Pick Up Trucks with manual transmissions anymore. Sorry, except for a few fanatics with a (cult love affair) of rowing their own gears manually, its over. I too wanted to order my new 2015 Mustang Convertible with a stick shift. My Wife sorely preferred that choice too but the practicality of both resale eventually as well as constant stop and go urban driving ultimately made the rational choice to go AT.

 

[Wild Stang]

I might add, since I work at Manheim Auction Palm Beach part-time on Auction Sale Day, its not just (certain) Brands and styles of Vehicles that get beat up with "manual" transmissions. On "High Line" Sale Days, Maserati`s, Lamborgini`s, Ferrari`s, HP Audi`s all with (mid-engine) drive, the Automatic`s with paddle shifters are the staple. Very few manual transmissions cross the Auction block now anymore and when they do, they bring very low bids or none at all. You can` even order most Pick Up Trucks with manual transmissions anymore. Sorry, except for a few fanatics with a (cult love affair) of rowing their own gears manually, its over. I too wanted to order my new 2015 Mustang Convertible with a stick shift. My Wife sorely preferred that choice too but the practicality of both resale eventually as well as constant stop and go urban driving ultimately made the rational choice to go AT.

Sorry, but I'm not going to choose AT vs MT because of some perceived lesser resale value on luxury, non-muscle cars. I want a car that I will enjoy driving and don't care about all the MT doom & gloom people are spewing. In fact, if MT are doomed then that's all the more reason for me to get one while I can. However, I think it will be offered and desired on muscle cars for the foreseeable future.

If I was old and/or handicapped or had to sit in traffic for long periods every day, I might consider otherwise.

 

[phil1336]

Sorry, but I'm not going to choose AT vs MT because of some perceived lesser resale value on luxury, non-muscle cars. I want a car that I will enjoy driving and don't care about all the MT doom & gloom people are spewing. In fact, if MT are doomed then that's all the more reason for me to get one while I can. However, I think it will be offered and desired on muscle cars for the foreseeable future.

If I was old and/or handicapped or had to sit in traffic for long periods every day, I might consider otherwise.

Without getting personal or vindictive, I was simply stating a "Fact" (not) an opinion! There is nothing (perceived) about lesser re-sale values for Vehicles with a MT! Ask anyone who works at a Major Auto Auction Site (or) Car Dealership what manual transmission Cars finally sell for on Sale Day. Makes no difference if its a stripped down Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent Toyota Corolla or a 100K plus Exotic Car, Muscle or not, the vast majority of Car buyers are opting for AT (not) MT. That shot of being too "old", "handicapped", or had to sit for long periods of time in heavy traffic may not apply to you and by the way. The (old) admittedly does for me, thank you, but I still have full mobility and can & do enjoy shifting a MT at times but I will differ my choice and opt for the AT based on resale value and practicality. If residual value means little or nothing to you or you intend to drive your vehicle until it goes to the Scrap Yard, pull the trigger and get the MT. Its all about choice, Cheers!

 

[Wild Stang]

Without getting personal or vindictive, I was simply stating a "Fact" (not) an opinion! There is nothing (perceived) about lesser re-sale values for Vehicles with a MT! Ask anyone who works at a Major Auto Auction Site (or) Car Dealership what manual transmission Cars finally sell for on Sale Day. Makes no difference if its a stripped down Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent Toyota Corolla or a 100K plus Exotic Car,

Experience (in a specific market, at that) does not equal fact. You can say "ask anyone" all day long, when I don't have the ability to ask anyone. So it's kind of a pointless argument.

Muscle or not, the vast majority of Car buyers are opting for AT (not) MT.

Overall, there have been less MT drivers/cars than AT drivers/cars for a long time. Given that MT supply is lower than AT supply and MT demand is lower than AT demand, the supply/demand curves are likely still very similar, just scaled to a lower quantity with the MT. So of course there are going to be less buyers opting for MT over AT. UNLESS! You're in the American muscle car market. Then you will see more MT drivers and more MT cars. Just do a search on ebay (sold or active listings) for automatic mustangs and then for manual mustangs. See how many automatics you find vs manuals. I guarantee it will be less automatics.

From my observations, there are actually more older (pre-90s) automatic Mustangs than older manual Mustangs and many more newer (90+) manual Mustangs than newer automatic Mustangs.

That shot of being too "old", "handicapped", or had to sit for long periods of time in heavy traffic may not apply to you and by the way. The (old) admittedly does for me, thank you, but I still have full mobility and can & do enjoy shifting a MT at times but I will differ my choice and opt for the AT based on resale value and practicality. If residual value means little or nothing to you or you intend to drive your vehicle until it goes to the Scrap Yard, pull the trigger and get the MT. Its all about choice, Cheers!

That wasn't a shot at you, though it appears you took it that way. I had no idea of your age. I was stating the only reasons I would get an automatic myself.

 

[valentinoamoro]

I got the 6MT. I wouldnt mind an 8 speed auto (like the excellent ZF) with Performance Pack for the commute/traffic days - but still think I'd rather do the manual. Reason being to me, a sports car is driving involvement, the mechanical feedback, control over torque, the coordinating the various actions in the car etc - not outright speed. Bullet train and TGV are fast, but they are not involving as I dont have any control over it etc (yes, this is far from a perfect analogy).

The fact that the AT is 6 geared and doesnt come with a PP makes the choice an easy one for me anyway.

 

[SLVRBACK]

People do know that the auto has paddles for selecting your gear, downshifting and will never go to the next gear until you tell it to...right? The only difference between the two control wise is pushing your left foot down and moving a metal rod. You have all the same performance features and control with this auto as you would the manual.

 

[Wild Stang]

People do know that the auto has paddles for selecting your gear, downshifting and will never go to the next gear until you tell it to...right? The only difference between the two control wise is pushing your left foot down and moving a metal rod. You have all the same performance features and control with this auto as you would the manual.

The paddle shifters only go to the next and previous gears. It's not the same.

 

[Brianm0121]

The paddle shifters only go to the next and previous gears. It's not the same.

Agreed it's not the same, even though I feel like the "excitement" factor can be obtained with paddle shifters in my opinion.

I myself have driven mostly only MTs and even though I will miss the "control" that you have with manual I think the paddles will suffice. Including my daily commute to and from work consists of driving on a interstate with traffic and the main street I live off is full of traffic I know that the "convenience" of the AT will outweigh the daily struggles I deal with driving a MT. If I had enough disposable income to where I could purchase a cheap DD for work and have the mustang to joy ride on weekends I would for sure be getting the MT, but this will be my DD.

My recommendation is if any of you currently drives a MT or AT and are thinking about switching, try to borrow a family/friends car or ask to test drive for a awhile.

Sponsored