I had a 2000 GT with the 5 speed and now have a 2003 GT with the 5 speed. The rear end ratio is the same at 3.27. The big difference I noticed was that the 03 has a lower 1st gear than the old mustang and that the first 4 gears seem to be lower overall and close ratio compared to the old mustang I had. And there is a big jump to 5th compared to the old one.
As far as driveability I think that the 00 GT was a harder to take off smoothly in 1st gear but required less shifting since it was wider ratio through the gears and they were spaced more evenly together. I also think it shifted a little better than the new one but I think the biggest reason for that is that the 1st 4 gears in the 03 are a lot lower.
I think Ford played around with the ratios in the new one to get better acceleration in the first 4 gears and then put that big jump in there to 5th for the gas mileage. I know that the 00 GT didn't seem to pull as hard in 3rd as the 03 GT seems to.
My wife hates all the shifting she has to do with the 03 but I actually prefer this transmission since my priority is acceleration and I think the newer trans gets more out of what you have than the old one did. I don't mind the big jump from 4th to 5th. I just rev it out a little further in 4th before shifting. 1900 rpm in 4th is 45mph compared to 70mph 1900 rpm in 5th. That's a big jump in ratio.
I feel like this 03 trans is a little notchy in the first two shifts but I think it might be because of the really low ratios 1st thru 3rd. I just think Ford was trying to get more performance when they switched to this trans. I like it but it just boils down to whether you can put up with all the shifting you have to do around town.
Anyway, it is good to have a mustang again. They are great cars.
As far as driveability I think that the 00 GT was a harder to take off smoothly in 1st gear but required less shifting since it was wider ratio through the gears and they were spaced more evenly together. I also think it shifted a little better than the new one but I think the biggest reason for that is that the 1st 4 gears in the 03 are a lot lower.
I think Ford played around with the ratios in the new one to get better acceleration in the first 4 gears and then put that big jump in there to 5th for the gas mileage. I know that the 00 GT didn't seem to pull as hard in 3rd as the 03 GT seems to.
My wife hates all the shifting she has to do with the 03 but I actually prefer this transmission since my priority is acceleration and I think the newer trans gets more out of what you have than the old one did. I don't mind the big jump from 4th to 5th. I just rev it out a little further in 4th before shifting. 1900 rpm in 4th is 45mph compared to 70mph 1900 rpm in 5th. That's a big jump in ratio.
I feel like this 03 trans is a little notchy in the first two shifts but I think it might be because of the really low ratios 1st thru 3rd. I just think Ford was trying to get more performance when they switched to this trans. I like it but it just boils down to whether you can put up with all the shifting you have to do around town.
Anyway, it is good to have a mustang again. They are great cars.