The Glade 4.0

Mazda makes some of the nicest manual transmissions I've ever driven. Honda's feel sluggish and clunky in comparison.

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Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves, Scheherezade had a thousand tales
But master you in luck 'cause up your sleeves you got a brand of magic never fails...
...Mister Aladdin, sir, What will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order, Jot it down -You ain't never had a friend like me
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By all accounts the Mustang GT has one of the heaviest clutches on the planet, and I can't say I disagree. It's heavier than the clutch in my F250.

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What is the gear ratio like in the Mustang, and how does the milage control system work with the manual shift?

In the Corvette, if are you driving conservatively (ie what most would consider an average acceleration from a stop), the transmission locks out second when starting from a dead stop and shifting out of first, putting you into 4th, and 4th gear is the most natural gear for most around down driving at all speeds, or 55ish MPH.

If driving a stick is a distraction, then you have no business behind the wheel of a car. Once you know how to drive a stick, there is really no impact what so ever to your level of distraction on the road.

The one in my 2007 California Special was not heavy at all.

The one in my 1999 Cobra was heavy as ****.

YMMV

I didn't like the clutch in the 2009 GT I test drove, not one bit. It was stiff, unresponsive, and generally disengaged in a clunky manner. But, you know, they could probably be fixed. That said, everyone I know who owns a 2008 or 2009 Mustang complains about the clutch.

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if she "can" drive a stick, and it's your car, then go with whatever you like. If she can't drive one, get an auto.

I'd like her to try it, from what I've heard it's much better with the 6 speed, but I'm getting more comfortable with an auto...

...as long as I can change out the rear gear and do a tune

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In time, this too shall pass.

Yeah, the 2007 was a bit clunky as well. It took a little practice to get a smooth engagement, but it was possible.

My current Audi A4 has one of the lightest clutches ever. Too light really, but I've gotten used to it.

I can't remember if the auto on the new 'Stangs allows for slap shifting or not. If so, then it might not be the end of the world, but seriously man. A GT with an auto is just plain wrong.

Buddy of mine has an automatic GT.

Get a stick or you will regret it later.

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Hokanu
Duty is a magnificent blessing because it is the sign of trust from the universe.
END OF LINE.

I asked my wife last night if she would ever drive the car if it were a stick, and she said no, but that it wasn't necessary for her to drive my car so I should go ahead and get a stick if I want.

This from a girl who used to race trucks at a track.

I can't deprive her of this. I'm in my mid 50's, she's mid 40's., and only as good 'once' as I ever was. The days of sawing all the gears of the transmission around all the curves were great (this will be my 3rd Mustang, first 2 had sticks), but all I can see myself doing different than I do now is terrorize the on-ramps getting up to speed. That's about it.

I don't need a stick, and in the long run, it would be better to get the automatic.

But ... I'd like be as good as I once was, just once more, in one of these new cars. 412 freaking horsepower without a supercharger, stock as a rock with a 60,000 mile warranty. I test drove it, just puttering on a flat stretch of asphalt devoid of traffic on a back road going alongside a turf farm... I coasted to about 20 MPH then gave it about 3/4 throttle.

Damn.

And it's rumored to actually get 25 real world miles to the gallon, as advertised, without being babied.

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In time, this too shall pass.

According to Ford, the rated MPG of the 2010 GT is 17/25 for Automatic... not sure why its rumored to get 25 real world without being conservative on the RPMs.

People are probably hesitant to believe the EPA numbers, but since '08 they've been adding this:


Prior to that, EPA figures were much less accurate.

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In time, this too shall pass.

That's 0 to 60 in 7 seconds. Not exactly what I would call "brisk" acceleration.

In any event, my point is that the EPA numbers are always best case, and usually based up on less than aggressive driving, so I would seriously question anyone claiming a car that is rated at 25 MPG by the EPA is actually getting that while not "babying" the car. Also, you said this would be your "everyday" car, which means you would be closer to the city than the highway for fuel consumption.

Many years ago when I was in high school my dad got a new car and went through this issue. "I'm getting older" he thought, "And I have a commute in traffic and my wife can't drive a manual." He bought the automatic. 6 months later he called the dealership asking if it was possible to swap. Turns out there was another guy with a nearly identical car with a manual transmission needing to switch because he has been injured on his clutch leg and couldn't drive it anymore. They somehow traded cars and all was well. When it came time to replace THAT car his wife said "you should get an automatic so I can drive it". He ignored her.

This right here is your answer. If you get an automatic, you'll regret it every single time you drive the car.

I hated stick at first. My fiance has a stick in her Eclipse. I didn't like how there's just so much extra work to just do a simple task. Driving in town and in traffic was a pain.

Then, I bought my own car with a stick. Then again, it was a sporty car, so now I kind of find it fun. I still don't like driving in town or in bottlenecks though. At the end of the day, I really do like having more control over the transmission. Being able to shift down and fly by someone who's going slow is fun.

It has it's pros and cons, for sure. As for how to convince your wife, I have no idea. Good luck.

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I'm thinking the smile on her face when she puts her foot in it will kill any regret. It was really a done deal the moment she said she wouldn't drive it. I believe her. This is too much a cool toy to play with that I can't imagine doing it without my best friend playing too.
But... don't think I'm disagreeing with you all that much. While it won't be regret, it'll still be something I miss...

... but I've told her I still want my 'vette, and she's good with that. How could I disappoint someone like that?

It'll be a few MORE years away than it was, but it's still there. Paddle shifters, baby!

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In time, this too shall pass.

Flappy paddles are terrible :p

Stick on the floor if I have a manual please.

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Holy shitsnacks!

It can become a distraction, however, if you mis-shift. It may seem minor, but seconds can count when driving.

I just don't see manual transmissions as offering any notable advantages over an automatic. They seem mostly a personal preference thing.

I haven't done that since high school. Driving a stick is like potty training... once you've truly learned it you never think about it and don't have accidents anymore; it's just a part of your psyche.

I am driving a manual for the first time in... 8 to 11 years I think. The ONLY trouble I am having right now... I need to learn this new car and where to sit my RPM's at when I go from stop to 1st gear.

I am trying to use both the odometer for the time being because I do not know the feel of the engine yet.

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Darksiege
Traveller, Calé, Whisperer
Lead me not into temptation; for I know a shortcut

How in the hell do you misshift?? It's second nature when you drive a manual!

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"Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use one!"~ Matthew Quigley

"nothing like a little meow in bed at night" ~ Bruskey

"I gotta float my stick same as you" Hondo Lane

"Fill your hand you son of a *****!"

One has far more control over the vehicle with a manual transmission than they do with an automatic.

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Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves, Scheherezade had a thousand tales
But master you in luck 'cause up your sleeves you got a brand of magic never fails...
...Mister Aladdin, sir, What will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order, Jot it down -You ain't never had a friend like me
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Wait a minute... Khross is Monty????

HOW DID I MISS THIS!?!??

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