I have a 2007 GT with the 5 speed with 16k miles on it and really enjoy the car with one exception -- shifting. I was hoping that this problem would get much better as the trans broke in, but if anything it's worse. I have driven 2 other 5 speed GT's and the trans/shifters were the same. Had I known that the trans/shifter was going to continue to be so "unrewarding" (how's that for being politically correct), I would have gotten the automatic which seems to be a very nice piece.
I have 2 gripes. 1 is the slow "rev-down" of the engine at low rpm like would be used in town. I know that it is the nature of the beast (something to do with emissions but feels like I have a 500 pound flywheel). I have already changed tunes which has reduced but not eliminated the problem. This is mainly an annoyance more than anything else and IS NOT a problem at high rpms when I'm "on it".
The second gripe is the clunky trans/shifter. I've driven other rear drive performance cars and some have absolutely slick shifting gearboxes, so I know it can be done. The stock trans/shifter combo feels disconnected or vague at best. This is an across the board (low or high rpm) aggravation. When you combine this problem with the above, I feel like I'm driving a '64 International pickup with a 4 speed "crash box" instead of a sweet coupe when puttering around town.
So, my question is, will the MGW shifter provide that smooth feel that BMW, Toyota or Nissan gives or am I just stuck with a trans/shifter that feels more like it was lifted directly from a tow truck? I'm not trying to flame Ford as I love my Mustang, I'm just terribly disappointed with this aspect of the car and wished they would have done better.
Thanks for any feedback you can provide.
I have 2 gripes. 1 is the slow "rev-down" of the engine at low rpm like would be used in town. I know that it is the nature of the beast (something to do with emissions but feels like I have a 500 pound flywheel). I have already changed tunes which has reduced but not eliminated the problem. This is mainly an annoyance more than anything else and IS NOT a problem at high rpms when I'm "on it".
The second gripe is the clunky trans/shifter. I've driven other rear drive performance cars and some have absolutely slick shifting gearboxes, so I know it can be done. The stock trans/shifter combo feels disconnected or vague at best. This is an across the board (low or high rpm) aggravation. When you combine this problem with the above, I feel like I'm driving a '64 International pickup with a 4 speed "crash box" instead of a sweet coupe when puttering around town.
So, my question is, will the MGW shifter provide that smooth feel that BMW, Toyota or Nissan gives or am I just stuck with a trans/shifter that feels more like it was lifted directly from a tow truck? I'm not trying to flame Ford as I love my Mustang, I'm just terribly disappointed with this aspect of the car and wished they would have done better.
Thanks for any feedback you can provide.