paddles vs stick

[Free Agent]

Ford is the only manufacturer that offers manuals only on their HiPo models. I'm fine with that.

But it limits their sales. They are in business to make money, not lose sales to competitors. Not offering an automatic in models we have listed is tying one arm around their back sales wise.

Sponsored

 

[Free Agent]

Yes, by all means, keep making the manuals but offer some automatics as well.

Ford is over the top with manuals. I would have already bought a focus ST for my daily driver, but guess what.....no automatic:(

Same with the Fiesta ST.

You are a perfect example. I would actually try to save up a little more coin and buy an end of the run 2014 GT500 if it were offered with an automatic in place of a 2015 GT later this year. But again, it isn't offered. I'm even considering a used ZL1 automatic as Plan B. That doesn't put money in Fords pocket.

 

[S3XPanther]

But it limits their sales. They are in business to make money, not lose sales to competitors. Not offering an automatic in models we have listed is tying one arm around their back sales wise.

To be fair, I'm sure Ford (and GM with the C6Z06/ZR1) is well aware that offering only one transmission option is limiting their sales. Those hi-po cars, however, were designed solely for purists, so they knew going into it that such cars weren't going to return significant profits anyway.

As we're seeing with the C7Z06, GM is offering an auto so as to increase their sales. Things are obviously changing. Do I agree with it? No, I don't. I can understand it, but I don't like it. It's just my opinion that cars like that should be enjoyed rowing your own gears. This is why I bought a 1LE, it ONLY comes with a manual (as I felt the ZL1 should have as well). Now, will Ford reply in kind with their hi-po S550? I don't think anyone can say with any certainty. :cheers:

 

[Grimace427]

To be fair, I'm sure Ford (and GM with the C6Z06/ZR1) is well aware that offering only one transmission option is limiting their sales. Those hi-po cars, however, were designed solely for purists, so they knew going into it that such cars weren't going to return significant profits anyway.

As we're seeing with the C7Z06, GM is offering an auto so as to increase their sales. Things are obviously changing. Do I agree with it? No, I don't. I can understand it, but I don't like it. It's just my opinion that cars like that should be enjoyed rowing your own gears. This is why I bought a 1LE, it ONLY comes with a manual (as I felt the ZL1 should have as well). Now, will Ford reply in kind with their hi-po S550? I don't think anyone can say with any certainty. :cheers:

I agree. These hi-po models don't represent major sales opportunities but rather symbolism of what the specific model is capable of.

 

[Free Agent]

Yet if sales dwindle year by year (which trends indicate) for manual vehicles or manual only vehicles pretty soon manufacturers will question whether they should be offered at all OR raise prices drastically pricing a good chunk out of the market. You fans of manuals should be rooting for remaining makers of hi-po models to offer automatics as well as manuals because it brings in the makers more money and amortizes the hi-po vehicles. Keep only offering manuals, watch the sales numbers decline, watch transaction prices go up and pretty soon you won't have that hi-po manual variant that you such desire. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face so to speak. There is room for both and with vehicles trending towards automatics, those sales are going to allow manufacturers to continue to offer the manuals. Your "salvation" lies in sales of automatics to your chagrin I'm sure but it isn't 1965 anymore. There is room in the boat for BOTH of us.

 

[JoeC1982]

haha my saying is flashy car flashy color so I'm probably going comp orange

I will have to see it in person but comp orange is a possibility but i would want some black maybe on hood and roof to tone it down a little.

 

[Dirk McGurck]

Yet if sales dwindle year by year (which trends indicate) for manual vehicles or manual only vehicles pretty soon manufacturers will question whether they should be offered at all OR raise prices drastically pricing a good chunk out of the market. You fans of manuals should be rooting for remaining makers of hi-po models to offer automatics as well as manuals because it brings in the makers more money and amortizes the hi-po vehicles. Keep only offering manuals, watch the sales numbers decline, watch transaction prices go up and pretty soon you won't have that hi-po manual variant that you such desire. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face so to speak. There is room for both and with vehicles trending towards automatics, those sales are going to allow manufacturers to continue to offer the manuals. Your "salvation" lies in sales of automatics to your chagrin I'm sure but it isn't 1965 anymore. There is room in the boat for BOTH of us.

I'm sure Ford has their reasons for offering manual only. And they offer automatics on the models that make them money. If they offered one Mustang model with limited options and manual only, then there might be an early death, like the Honda S2000.

 

[Free Agent]

I'm sure Ford has their reasons for offering manual only. And they offer automatics on the models that make them money. If they offered one Mustang model with limited options and manual only, then there might be an early death, like the Honda S2000.

Oh yes I'm sure they do. I would probably guess minimizing warranty claims on a hi-po automatic transmission as their prime motivating factor. The thing is GM seemingly has an auto that can withstand these levels of power & torque, but Ford cannot?

 

[Grimace427]

Oh yes I'm sure they do. I would probably guess minimizing warranty claims on a hi-po automatic transmission as their prime motivating factor. The thing is GM seemingly has an auto that can withstand these levels of power & torque, but Ford cannot?

The current 6R80 holds more power than pretty much any manual transmission so I think your guess is off the mark a bit.

 

[Free Agent]

The current 6R80 holds more power than pretty much any manual transmission so I think your guess is off the mark a bit.

So it would point to something else then. CAFE numbers possibly. Although I can't see a few thousand more ruining those. I would guess that an automatic GT500 would be saddled with the gas guzzler tax though like the auto ZL1 has. Ford may very well be protecting "purity" whatever that may mean but from a business standpoint it doesn't make sense.

 

[scottpe]

Ford may very well be protecting "purity" whatever that may mean but from a business standpoint it doesn't make sense.

I think there's a really good chance that it DOES make sense from a business standpoint, either directly or indirectly, or they wouldn't be doing it the way they are. That you and I don't know or understand their reasoning doesn't make that any any less true.

 

[Free Agent]

I think there's a really good chance that it DOES make sense from a business standpoint, either directly or indirectly, or they wouldn't be doing it the way they are. That you and I don't know or understand their reasoning doesn't make that any any less true.

That very well may be the case. But when you see Fords chief competitor doing it, it gives Ford an image of incapable of doing it and lets GM gain a leg up so to speak.

Whatever the case Ford knows the reasoning (or lack thereof) and they aren't sharing.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Even though I like manuals better and my wife has no problems with them, this car is going to be a cruiser for me. I will never really drive it to its limits. Plus, these new autos probably shift better than I can. So, it will be an auto for me.

Paddle shifters for me, but certainly NOT for just "cruising", with instantaneous gear changes and total control over gear selection (and engine braking into corners) - and at your fingertips, I would bet the auto will be quicker than the manual.

Would anyone think the Formula 1 guys (the worlds most elite motorsport) just cruse around the track with their Paddle Shifts ?

 

[Jonny11Quest]

In traffic, I would much rather be in a manual. After a 2-hour session of stop and go traffic, my lower left appendage feels like a precise, friction-zone attaining, hesitation slaying, ninja.

 

[Grimace427]

Paddle shifters for me, but certainly NOT for just "cruising", with instantaneous gear changes and total control over gear selection (and engine braking into corners) - and at your fingertips, I would bet the auto will be quicker than the manual.

Would anyone think the Formula 1 guys (the worlds most elite motorsport) just cruse around the track with their Paddle Shifts ?

There is nothing instantaneous about automatic transmissions with paddles. There will be a delay as the valve body interprets your shift request and makes its decision. You have very little control over the gear changes and will be at the mercy of the software. I am hoping they do a good job on the software regardless and will agree the auto will likely be quicker in the 1/4 mile and certainly more consistent. Boring, but consistent.

In traffic, I would much rather be in a manual. After a 2-hour session of stop and go traffic, my lower left appendage feels like a precise, friction-zone attaining, hesitation slaying, ninja.

Haha that is pretty good! I drive primarily in heavy traffic and my manual transmission makes me feel more in control even when inching along. The 3.73s make for nice crawler gears.

Sponsored