Why did you buy an automatic? (and why I ordered a 6spd)

[Mazman]

I'll give my perspective.

I'll start off with saying I have 2019 ND MX-5/Miata which I do track and take to auto-x sessions and I love it!

If I get into a new GT/Mach 1 again it will be very difficult for me to choose between the two. I'll explain why. Here in Europe the export models do come with the 3:55 gearing irrepective of it being A10 or M6(MT82 or Tremec in the M1). The gearing in the Tremec is a bit shorter than the MT82 which is nice but the 18+ MT82 did get longer gearing compared to the gen 1 S550. So why am I saying this, the gearing is to tall in Europe in my opinion and it's like the car has quite less power comparing a M6 with the A10. I know numbers are not everything, again I do have an MX5 . However with that said, there is more or less a 1 second difference 0-62 in real world situations between the A10 and M6. This in turn means there is not much gear-shifting to be happening with the M6 on regular roads at least.

One option is to swap out the gearing and change the diff to the torsen but that requires some work and cash and I am not sure how the gearing can be changed in the software on the 21+ model years, don't want to tune

It's a total bummer for me, would love to have the M6 Mach 1 however I am afraid the car will feel sluggish with the M6 :(. I had the A10 in my GT and it transforms the car from a performance perspective at least on the export models

Sponsored

 

[MakoShark]

I've been a stick shift FWD driver for 15 years straight. I always had a manual transmission since I was 18. I never had an automatic and I swear I would never buy one even if I spend most of the time within the city limits and I rarely hit highway. When I was on road trip back in 2017 and rented 2016 Mustang with an automatic, I was disappointed. The car felt great, drive was amazing, and the suspension in the city was almost perfectly smooth, but the transmission was terrible. I couldn't stand that delay at lights

However when I had an opportunity to buy 2019 Mustang with 10-speed auto, I immediately fell in love with it. 10-AT is absolutely amazing and in 95 % I feel like the gear is correctly selected even in normal mode. Sport mode is near to perfect. I got used to those unnecessary upshifts over the time and downshift when I feel like the transmission is going to select the wrong gear or I switch to paddle shifting when I am driving the same uphill section over and over again.

 

[detamble13]

The only reasons to buy a Mustang with an automatic are:
1. You are physically incapable of driving a manual
2. You consistently drag race
3. You live in or commute to a large city with significant traffic

Laziness is most likely the main reason most people drive an automatic Mustang though. This includes not wanting to learn how to drive a stick.

 

[Balr14]

The only reasons to buy a Mustang with an automatic are:
1. You are physically incapable of driving a manual
2. You consistently drag race
3. You live in or commute to a large city with significant traffic

Laziness is most likely the main reason most people drive an automatic Mustang though. This includes not wanting to learn how to drive a stick.

I fit none of your criteria and I still prefer the A10. Manual transmissions are boring. You do the same thing over and over and over, so many times most drivers can do it in their sleep, there is no conscience effort at all. While the A10 is highly entertaining.

I just sold my Mini and a manual transmission is great when you have a shitbox with no engine that you flog the crap out of just to reach legal speed limits. But, with nearly 500 hp and two tons, I don't think so.

 

[detamble13]

I fit none of your criteria and I still prefer the A10. Manual transmissions are boring. You do the same thing over and over and over, so many times most drivers can do it in their sleep, there is no conscience effort at all. While the A10 is highly entertaining.

I just sold my Mini and a manual transmission is great when you have a shitbox with no engine that you flog the crap out of just to reach legal speed limits. But, with nearly 500 hp and two tons, I don't think so.

Repetitive for sure but you're doing something. What is more entertaining in doing nothing?

I learned to drive manual on a Ford Escort which was also a shitbox but a fun one specifically because of the transmission. A manual mated to a powerful V8 only makes the experience better.

 

[Stephen@lethal]

I love manual cars but man, taking an auto car to the drag strip and cracking 9s on your first run without breaking a sweat is hard to beat lol. It does get boring on the street but nothing beats the way an auto puts power to the ground imo.

 

[13GetThere]

You'd think that if you weren't a cripple and CHOSE an A10 over a manual, that you traded manhoodual for a kotexmatic.
Of course I'm bitransmissional so it doesn't matter to me. I do prefer an automatic right now, but maybe that's because I'm in a long term relationship with a manual.

 

[TrackMustang]

I fit none of your criteria and I still prefer the A10. Manual transmissions are boring. You do the same thing over and over and over, so many times most drivers can do it in their sleep, there is no conscience effort at all. While the A10 is highly entertaining.

I just sold my Mini and a manual transmission is great when you have a shitbox with no engine that you flog the crap out of just to reach legal speed limits. But, with nearly 500 hp and two tons, I don't think so.

Lmao, manuals are boring. So an automatic, where you do less, is more entertaining. Because you do less. Cmon man, you obviously fit the criteria but can’t admit it to yourself. Saying you can shift in your sleep but somehow the auto (that takes your right arm and left foot out of it) takes more focus and entertains you more? That is the most backwards logic I’ve ever heard.

Or, you’re not talented at driving a manual so the car itself is less fun. That I completely accept as possible.

 

[M-Driver]

I am german and I live in west-germany. I love the american way of life, I am a car enthusiast and I always wanted to drive a V8 muscle/pony car as long as it is possible in our absurdly environmental obsessed and over-regulated country. In 2019 I fullfilled my dream and bought a 2016 Mustang GT automatic. Before the GT I always had manual cars and enjoyed the shifting when I drove my cars for pleisure, but definitly hated that additional work in traffic especially on our "Autobahn" (like Interstate/Highway in the US).

When I started looking for an american V8 I thought I will use it for cruising paired with times of spirited driving and for that kind of driving profile I thought an automatic would be the best option. So I got one. I even went for test drives the manual and the automatic and at first I was fine with my decision to go for an automatic.

But grass is always greener on the other side and very soon I regretted my decision. I missed the work with the manual and that additional driver-car-connection. The shift paddels could not replace that missing pedal and stick. The delay between input und shift with the pedals on "S" is sometimes even worse than the delay of just mashing down the pedal on "D".

Then recently I had the opportunity to drive ´18 GT manual and after that experience I can say I am fine again with my decision to get an AT. I forgot how notchy the MT82 is and the clutch did not feel right as well. 6R80 and MT82 are both not perfect, but between them I would always go for the AT. In a perfect World where I had to chose between a perfect AT and MT I would choose the MT.

Now I am supercharged (Edelbrock Stage I) and the tuner said for f/i the AT was the better decision.

 

[Balr14]

Lmao, manuals are boring. So an automatic, where you do less, is more entertaining. Because you do less. Cmon man, you obviously fit the criteria but can’t admit it to yourself. Saying you can shift in your sleep but somehow the auto (that takes your right arm and left foot out of it) takes more focus and entertains you more? That is the most backwards logic I’ve ever heard.

Or, you’re not talented at driving a manual so the car itself is less fun. That I completely accept as possible.

You miss the point with the A10. It has lots of modes and two settings available with all modes. I am constantly playing with all of the possible settings and modes. Driving an A10 in manual mode, where you have to shift, requires more thought than you think. It also varies by the mode you select. Mode setting also dictates shift points and shift force, depending on throttle settings. In general, much more to learn than with a manual. Every mode is different. Some use 7 gears, some use 9, some use 10.

For example, for driving track or back roads, track setting and manual shifting is a lot of fun. For drag racing, drag mode and letting the car handle the shifting is best. But you need to set the shifter to S, turn on drag mode, power brake and set the shifter to Normal as you release the brake. Lots of things to learn and play with.

BTW, I have driven manual transmissions in every type of vehicle (cars, track, semis, tractors, etc.) for over 60 years, so I'm pretty sure I have the skills.

 

[TrackMustang]

You miss the point with the A10. It has lots of modes and two settings available with all modes. I am constantly playing with all of the possible settings and modes. Driving an A10 in manual mode, where you have to shift, requires more thought than you think. It also varies by the mode you select. Mode setting also dictates shift points and shift force, depending on throttle settings. In general, much more to learn than with a manual. Every mode is different. Some use 7 gears, some use 9, some use 10.

Right , and my point is that all the different modes is an automatic version of what you do with a manual. Shift at low revs, high revs, different revs for every gear, shift smooth, bang through gears, etc etc etc. I’m not arguing the merit of an auto, I’m well aware, I’m arguing that it’s preposterous to say manuals are boring. If you’re bored with them you’re probably not very good at them. Heel toe to rev match, double clutching, slipping the clutch under different scenarios, these are all things that aren’t boring and take a very long time to learn.

 

[Balr14]

Right , and my point is that all the different modes is an automatic version of what you do with a manual. Shift at low revs, high revs, different revs for every gear, shift smooth, bang through gears, etc etc etc. I’m not arguing the merit of an auto, I’m well aware, I’m arguing that it’s preposterous to say manuals are boring. If you’re bored with them you’re probably not very good at them. Heel toe to rev match, double clutching, slipping the clutch under different scenarios, these are all things that aren’t boring and take a very long time to learn.

I don't have a whole lot of opportunity or incentive to do those things when I drive to the liquor store to buy beer! I don't know what it's like where you live, but I can't travel 500 feet without crawling up the ass of some SUV! Maybe 20 years ago...

Frankly, I find devotion to doing something the car can do better than you can, irrational.

 

[TrackMustang]

I don't have a whole lot of opportunity or incentive to do those things when I drive to the liquor store to buy beer! I don't know what it's like where you live, but I can't travel 500 feet without crawling up the ass of some SUV! Maybe 20 years ago...

You’re not wrong, just about it being boring. I completely agree with everything you said, especially about beer. My whole point was manuals aren’t boring. I’ve never driven the A10 and I hear the GT500 transmission is even better.

 

[jwt]

I like driving the manual, although the MT82 is the worst manual I have ever driven. But I have the A10 in a 2018 Expedition and that is superb and my limited runs in a Mustang A10 where its tuned for sporty driving confirmed that for an auto it can damn near read your mind.

And the Hellcat 8 speed is a thing of engineering beauty and brings a tear to my eye for trained engineers being allowed to do their thing. And using the paddle shifters I can make that car dance.

For getting groceries or commuting to work there are days when I long for the auto Mustang but those days taking a spin out to the Rockies I love the manual. But whether drag racing or a dig off the lights the auto wins hands down. But my Bullitt is for me to have fun in and I like my fun in manual form. Horses for courses. no right or wrong answer.

 

[shogun32]

local dealer just knocked 2000 off their stock of Mach 1s. Alas they are all A10. I can't believe I'm considering such a move. Considering how passionately I DESPISE the trans in 'sport' mode. Thankfully that utter crap can be tuned out...

Sponsored