Wow....what's with all the Automatics?!?

[Gearbanger 101]

I was scanning through the local Auto Trader to look for a replacement for my Cougar (if/when I sell it this fall) and had my eye on an '05/'06 Mustang GT. It seems like the majority of the cars in their are Autos. Did Ford build more Automatic GT's than 5-speed with the S197 run?

...and not the I'm all that keen on them, but how does the Auto shift compared to the old 4R70W in the SN95's?

 

[kooldawg6]

I had a '95 GT that was the automatic. I put a shift kit in it which helped it alot! It was bone stock except for the Flowmaster mufflers(so not much added HP)and it was no problem for it to chirp the tires into 2nd. It was VERY firm shifting.
My '06 is also the automatic. With just the tuner, it has made a tremendous difference in the way it shifts as well. In stock form, there was no way in hell it was going to chirp, except off the start(wouldn't fry them). Now after adding the tuner and bumping the shift pressure up just 5% has made it able to burn them pretty good off the start and will chirp 2nd. Shifting isn't that hard under half throttle, after that though it kicks pretty damn hard. I know when I was at the track and was WOT the whole time, every time it shifted the car jolted and the rear end squatted! That was an awesome feeling
I have read that the new autos aren't as strong as the previous ones(internal parts), but that it's gain is an extra gear. This comes in VERY handy when adding more gear to the car. With 4.10s, I can still cruise at 80 MPH @ 3000 RPM. That is very tolerable even on several hour long cruises When I either get my Jetta(no fun to drive now that I have the Stang and motorcycle)fixed or get a replacement DD, I wouldn't hesitate putting 4.30s in her!
Bottom line...if shifting at your will is your thing, stay away from the autos. I do have to admit, I'm not regretting the purchase of the auto...yet.

 

[Mrgreen94gt]

I have read that the new autos aren't as strong as the previous ones(internal parts), but that it's gain is an extra gear. This comes in VERY handy when adding more gear to the car.

I've read that too, but these autos seem to be outliving the engines when it comes to blown cars. That seems to indicate to me that they're strong enough.

 

[stanmckinney]

I think there was a shortage of manual transmissions for awhile. I also love a manual, but arthritis now dictates an automatic. The mustang is more than 40 years old and many of its fans, and drivers, are much older than that.

 

[shooterm1]

I was scanning through the local Auto Trader to look for a replacement for my Cougar... It seems like the majority of the cars in their are Autos. Did Ford build more Automatic GT's than 5-speed with the S197 run?

Yes!

plus the folks who purchase an Automatic apparently tend to sell/trade more often as well.

 

[bluecar]

It appears to me that there are more autos out there, maybe a glut but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. The reason I think this is because Ford was offering the Automatic Transmission for free for awhile, or at least a rebate.

I love my automatic. I have mine because of a bad back. Also try clutching up a 17% grade in a traffic jam in the inner city with someone on your tail. Also try reversing uphill on a steep grade. Holding down a stiff clutch and pulling on the ebrake was sorta painful.

Check out this link on the 5r55s http://www.alternativeauto.com/misc/r-and-d-gt.html

 

[YardSpecial]

Called TRAFFIC !

Thats why we got the auto..........

 

[scrming]

It appears to me that there are more autos out there, maybe a glut but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. The reason I think this is because Ford was offering the Automatic Transmission for free for awhile, or at least a rebate.

I love my automatic. I have mine because of a bad back. Also try clutching up a 17% grade in a traffic jam in the inner city with someone on your tail. Also try reversing uphill on a steep grade. Holding down a stiff clutch and pulling on the ebrake was sorta painful.

Check out this link on the 5r55s http://www.alternativeauto.com/misc/r-and-d-gt.html

Lidio's 05 automatic was amazing! He went 10.9 with it on street tires! The tranny took an amazing amount of abuse and Lidio was surprised it held up so well!! He now has an 07 automatic.. he recently installed a whipple on it and is dialing it in...

The nice thing about the 5r55s is it's all computer controlled... no more shift kits! I spent a day with Lidio, having him customize my tranny program... got the car shifting exactly like i want it and when i want it!

 

[cowtown]

Yeah I love my auto, for a number of reasons. Mainly traffic, partly because medically I can have issues with my feet that can make clutch use impossible.

With a tune the thing shifts like a beast, it's great on the highway thanks to the 5th gear and I can enjoy my latte while I crawl in traffic.

Up here in Calgary I talked to two different dealers and both of them said they were selling auto's 3-1 over manuals.

 

[jspagna1]

Hey automatics are more consistent at the track and aren't as tough on the drivetrain, therefore easier on parts.

 

[Gene K]

With the current standard 3.31 Gears the 5spd Auto is at least as fast as the MT. I think the MT runs in short supply. Right now for instance Ford is offering an additional US $645 Rebate on Autos only that makes the Auto free.

That said I will take the MT 3.55 Combo...

 

[Unbrdld07]

Yes!

plus the folks who purchase an Automatic apparently tend to sell/trade more often as well.

Not true! I got the auto and I love it. There is a lot of stop and go here, especially with the summer tourist season under way. I have no complaints with how it shifts and even had a "track" person drive mine to get his opinion and he could not find ANY fault with the tranny in mine. NO, I do not sell my cars right and left or very often. I AM selling my daily driver after 7 years of ownership only because it is getting too difficult to run both with gas prices and everything else going up along with the gas prices. The Stang will become my daily driver FOREVER! Thank you very much.

 

[kooldawg6]

Hey automatics are more consistent at the track and aren't as tough on the drivetrain, therefore easier on parts.

My 4 passes at the drag strip were: 60' times of 2.032-2.050; ETs of 13.345-13.404; MPHs of 103.63-104.34

 

[shooterm1]

OK, lets refocus ...

The question answered was

Did Ford build more Automatic GT's than 5-speeds?

that one is affirmative and beyond dispute .... Ford has sold more GT's with Auto than 5 speeds.

Before that we have the evidence that 'yes' the folks who purchased an Automatic Mustang apparently DO tend to sell/trade more often.

I was scanning through the local Auto Trader to look for a replacement for my Cougar (if/when I sell it this fall) and had my eye on an '05/'06 Mustang GT. It seems like the majority of the cars in their are Autos.

see??

Since there are more listed For Sale, ergo more are being offered for sale by their owners ...... correct??

Note: no where did I suggest or even imply our member in good standing, mr. cruizin-on, should or would be selling his most dear automatic powered Mustang ...

in short, I was speaking in "generalities",

something that we do ALL of the time here on these pages.

Oh! and of course I am more than glad that you're happy with your purchase.

Please drive carefully ...

 

[scupking]

I had a '95 GT that was the automatic. I put a shift kit in it which helped it alot! It was bone stock except for the Flowmaster mufflers(so not much added HP)and it was no problem for it to chirp the tires into 2nd. It was VERY firm shifting.
My '06 is also the automatic. With just the tuner, it has made a tremendous difference in the way it shifts as well. In stock form, there was no way in hell it was going to chirp, except off the start(wouldn't fry them). Now after adding the tuner and bumping the shift pressure up just 5% has made it able to burn them pretty good off the start and will chirp 2nd. Shifting isn't that hard under half throttle, after that though it kicks pretty damn hard. I know when I was at the track and was WOT the whole time, every time it shifted the car jolted and the rear end squatted! That was an awesome feeling
I have read that the new autos aren't as strong as the previous ones(internal parts), but that it's gain is an extra gear. This comes in VERY handy when adding more gear to the car. With 4.10s, I can still cruise at 80 MPH @ 3000 RPM. That is very tolerable even on several hour long cruises When I either get my Jetta(no fun to drive now that I have the Stang and motorcycle)fixed or get a replacement DD, I wouldn't hesitate putting 4.30s in her!
Bottom line...if shifting at your will is your thing, stay away from the autos. I do have to admit, I'm not regretting the purchase of the auto...yet.

I agree, when I got my 93 Oct tune (from Tim at MPH) on my auto it felt like a new car. All the shifts are tight and there is no more slop or bucking. I was able to chirp second before the tune but now she just rips and that’s with the stock 3.27 gears. I can't wait to put 3.73s in. I would go 4.10s but I will be getting a super charger.

 

[rmays06]

I can also vouge, Lidio hooked my Auto up as well and it really is a nice set up.

 

[Joe Fan]

With the current standard 3.31 Gears the 5spd Auto is at least as fast as the MT.

From what I have read, Ford says the 0-60 times are the same for the MT and Auto but various car tests show that the Auto is about a tenth or two slower than a MT in the 1/4 mile. This seems to be the case from what I have seen at the track.

 

[tr7driver]

I can also vouge, Lidio hooked my Auto up as well and it really is a nice set up.

Who is Lindio?

 

[scrming]

Who is Lindio?

Lidio is the owner of Alternative Auto in Mount Clemens, Michigan: www.alternativeauto.com

I know Lidio is regarded as one the top Mustang guys... He also seems to be a step ahead when it comes to working with automatics... His own personal 2005 GT Auto went 10.9 on street tires! (Vortech w/ meth/water)

 

[Mr_Q]

I haven't had my auto agressively tuned but I am impressed none-the-less.

My only gripe is waiting on the TC. Especially when you spin it up then back off then get back on it again. You have to wait longer than I like for the converter to connect again.

If it were a manual that would not be an issue. But I live in SOCAL and frankly my days of a manual are gone. At least until they double the width of the 405.