[poll] Auto or Manual next gen?

[Donky]

I'm finding that I'm having to use the phone in the car lately. Perhaps I need to transition to a hands free means anyway. It all depends how the autos are geared with the i4 and (hopefully) the later ecoboost v6 models. Those are the models I'm most interested in because I'm looking for a daily driver. If the autos don't provide for enough grunt to get moving, I'll be swayed more to a manual setup or the v8 model. The auto would be ultimate practicality, but a manual would be the best driving experience, for my experience this far.

If ford puts in a great paddle shifting system, I'd love it, but I seriously doubt we'll see anything like that in a Mustang on a performance competing level for some time.

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[91z28350]

I have a 6spd now in the GT500. Love it, BUT, since I am more into drag racing than road racing, I would prefer a dual clutch auto.

 

[ChuckC]

My '05 is a manual, with Hurst shifter.

My daily driver is an auto.................I'd go auto for my next Stang........but then I'm getting old LOL

I'm getting old and I bought my first manual when I bought my 2012 GT.

I'm glad I did. I get bored to tears when I drive the two automatics in the family.

 

[Dirk McGurck]

My only car only ever came with a manual. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Even getting stuck in rush hour traffic in NYC wasn't bad enough to take away from perfectly nailing a gear change through a back road.

I will drive manual until I am no longer physically able to. For this reason I largely ignore most of the new and powerful and technologically marvelous cars that are out today. As soon as I see no manual as an option, I lose interest. I know a dual-clutch auto will almost always beat a manual in a drag race, but for me it's a connection with the car, and a bit of elitism from all the slushboxes out there.

That being said, Ford is one of the few companies left that offers manual-only on their performance cars (Focus ST, Fiesta ST, and GT500). But they are also perpetrators of only offering manuals on the stripped-out cars (Fusion, Focus) or not at all (Taurus SHO)

If the Mustang ever loses its manual transmission, it will lose me, too.

 

[Black GT]

I like my auto but I want another manual.

 

[mikeyjobu]

I was knocked around a bit growing up, and got my drivers license late -- but I've always driven a manual, and always will -- so long as they are offered. I'll likely keep a manual forever since they seem to be going out of style. I can't for the life of me understand why. I am seriously disappointed that manuals are giving way to the likes of PDK and such. Vote with your dollars and buy a manual. I live in a metropolitan area -- the Washingon D.C. area -- and guess what -- it's not so bad as to dismiss a manual transmission. When coupled with a willing chassis and adequate power, there is scarcely any joy greater...

 

[gojensen]

I've been driving manual cars for over 20 years (it's the thing over here, autos are rare and used to add $5000 to the pricetag) ... and apart from racing I see no friggin' point in having a manual. My first car was an auto (which I had for 2 years only - a '73 1.0L 2 speed Toyota!) and I drove the V6 '13 Mustang for 5 weeks last year...

My next car is an auto. No question about it.

 

[Joe O]

Got my license 1950 in our 1936 Ford convert(3spd stick)and will buy a Manual to complete my life.No traffic to drive in=more time to find the twisties.

 

[likeaboss]

Manual all the way!

 

[crysalis_01]

I've got my Terminator to row my own gears in. My S550 will be my "cruiser" so an auto will be fine for that purpose.

 

[K.Lysius]

Depends on how fast the auto shifts with the paddles. If it's approaching dual clutch transmission speeds, I might finally make the jump from manual. This next Mustang's gonna have to serve as my daily driver.

 

[DHG1078]

I personally prefer manual. Just way more fun. If im not buying a truck then im buying a manual.

 

[KZStang]

It'll be interesting to see if the overall take rate for the manual transmission will change for the 6th generation forward as it keeps getting pushed down with big advances in auto and DCT in terms of fuel economy, performance and fun factor. I have a feeling with the demographic that would be interested in the 4 cylinder EB, the auto tranny take rate will increase overall.

Right now, the GT dominates with almost 40% manual take rate for the convertible and 65% for the GT coupe. In comparison, the V6 only has a 7% manual take rate for the vert and 19% for the V6 coupe. Very stark contrast there and it makes for about 30% overall manual tranny take rate across all trims. I would imagine if we start to see that number begin to drift even lower, say under 20%, it may put into question whether it will be offered at all. Granted, there is a large group of Mustang enthusiasts and purists that will let Ford hear it if it ever comes to that, myself included.

 

[Hashbrownn]

Sticking with Manual unless it's a Dual Clutch Transmission with pedals.

 

[Boydstang]

Mustang = V8 + Manual

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