paddles vs stick

[RideTheMustang]

now that the mustang is offered what are some of the pros and cons of each is there any upgrade from the current automatic/manual that would make me lean one way over the other

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[S3XPanther]

Stick shift because 'murica. Seriously though, unless you have disability, there should be no reason for you not to get a stick (other than being lazy). I've driven both the stick and auto version of the 5thgen SS and S197 GT, and the manual is hands down better every time.

 

[Colleton]

Paddle shifters are fun to play with for a while, but a MT is more satisfying/fun in the long run.

I had a dual clutch transmission and paddle shifters in my '08 GTI. Tons of fun, but after the new wore off I rarely used the paddles (was far more likely just to shift into Sport mode and stomp on it), and after 2 years of ownership I was really missing a 6MT.

All of this is JMO.

 

[Taneras]

Automatic for me. Paddles or no paddles that'd be my choice.

My wife cannot drive a stick and there are times she needs to drive my car, and to be honest the traffic is so bad around where I live its no fun getting a manual. When my 4-5 mile commute doesn't let me get much over 40-45 and often has several complete stops sprinkled in, whats the point of a manual?

Sure, there are the occasional weekend dates that I get to areas where I can cut up, but I'm not going to sacrifice a month's worth of heavy traffic driving just for 15-30 minutes of enthusiastic driving on the way to a movie or a restaurant.

To each their own though, if I lived in a more rural area I'd be leaning towards a stick very hard. It's something my wife needs to pick up anyways.

Still, I am looking forward to the paddle shifters. It will be fun, but "sports mode" isn't much to brag about. It's slower than the normal mode once you get it tuned. I think it'd be like Siri for me on the iphone. Fun at first but once the novelty wears off I'd rarely use it.

 

[RideTheMustang]

Automatic for me. Paddles or no paddles that'd be my choice.

My wife cannot drive a stick and there are times she needs to drive my car, and to be honest the traffic is so bad around where I live its no fun getting a manual. When my 4-5 mile commute doesn't let me get much over 40-45 and often has several complete stops sprinkled in, whats the point of a manual?

Sure, there are the occasional weekend dates that I get to areas where I can cut up, but I'm not going to sacrifice a month's worth of heavy traffic driving just for 15-30 minutes of enthusiastic driving on the way to a movie or a restaurant.

To each their own though, if I lived in a more rural area I'd be leaning towards a stick very hard. It's something my wife needs to pick up anyways.

Still, I am looking forward to the paddle shifters. It will be fun, but "sports mode" isn't much to brag about. It's slower than the normal mode once you get it tuned. I think it'd be like Siri for me on the iphone. Fun at first but once the novelty wears off I'd rarely use it.

see thats the way I'm looking at it too i don't drive too far and usually I'm in stop and go traffic the flappy paddle gear box was on the higher end of a 70/30 split i feel like stick wouldn't fit me but i always get asked why auto :shrug:

 

[S3XPanther]

Well, the wife thing I can understand. However, if that's not the case for you and you don't have any knee, leg, or back problems, you just need to make the effort. I drive my 1LE (only came in stick form) in NYC with no problems. Moderns clutches are incredibly comfortable to deal with on a daily basis.

 

[RideTheMustang]

Well, the wife thing I can understand. However, if that's not the case for you and you don't have any knee, leg, or back problems, you just need to make the effort. I drive my 1LE (only came in stick form) in NYC with no problems. Moderns clutches are incredibly comfortable to deal with on a daily basis.

i do have a hip and knee problem from hockey but it is mostly healed but certain things make it flare up so thats my biggest worry i don't want to pre order stick and not be able to drive it but i want the thrill of a full control gear box its a catch 22

 

[S3XPanther]

i do have a hip and knee problem from hockey but it is mostly healed but certain things make it flare up so thats my biggest worry i don't want to pre order stick and not be able to drive it but i want the thrill of a full control gear box its a catch 22

Then go for the auto and enjoy it man. It's still a badass S550.

 

[RideTheMustang]

Then go for the auto and enjoy it man. It's still a badass S550.

i can't disagree with that haha

 

[All-Or-Nothing]

Auto for me. Don't even want a stick.

 

[Taneras]

but i always get asked why auto :shrug:

Well another added bonus is that its faster and can take more abuse than the manual. The manual can launch better, but its going to be hard pressed to beat an auto from a roll. And all it takes to equal the playing field for launches at the track is a high stall tq converter.

Well, the wife thing I can understand. However, if that's not the case for you and you don't have any knee, leg, or back problems, you just need to make the effort. I drive my 1LE (only came in stick form) in NYC with no problems. Moderns clutches are incredibly comfortable to deal with on a daily basis.

I need to buy what I prefer, and currently that's an auto. Not everyone is wired the same. I have a friend that drives in the same traffic and still prefers a stick. That's awesome for him... I wish it didn't bother me as much as it does, but it does. I wouldn't mind saving the extra cash by not checking that "automatic" box but for me its just worth it.

One saving grace, though, could be how my wife's work turns out. She's going to come work with my family within a few years. When she does we'll use her car to go back and forth to work and I'll have a true weekend car. If it comes to that sooner rather than later I'll be getting a manual.

 

[RideTheMustang]

i was seeing something about automatic having an upgrade something or other to decrease time of gear changes what exactly was that

 

[Grimace427]

For all of those with a significant other who is unable to drive stick, teach them how. That's what I did and now she loves manual transmissions so much that every car she buys from now on will have a manual.

 

[williamwally]

I'm still not sure how questions like this come up. Who cares what anyone says to you in person or on forums. Get what you want or what works for you.

On a side note, I've actually had a negative question about my manual trans choice once. It was from my brother in my one year old loaded 2010 audi s4. He said 'why'd you get a manual transmission, is this thing a base car or something?' He was serious, clearly not a car guy.

 

[DBCooper]

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.

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