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  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

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

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gearbanger 101
  • Start date Start date Jun 16, 2007

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jun 16, 2007
#1
  • Jun 16, 2007
  • #1
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

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Jun 16, 2007
#2
  • Jun 16, 2007
  • #2
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

SIMMA DA NA!!!
Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
448
0
0
West TN
Jun 16, 2007
#3
  • Jun 16, 2007
  • #3
kooldawg6 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
S

stanmckinney

10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,188
5
49
Jun 16, 2007
#4
  • Jun 16, 2007
  • #4
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.
 
S

shooterm1

New Member
Jul 18, 2005
540
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0
Milford, Pennsylvania USA
Jun 16, 2007
#5
  • Jun 16, 2007
  • #5
Gearbanger 101 said:
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?
Click to expand...

Yes!

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

bluecar

Member
Feb 19, 2007
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6
SF CA
Jun 17, 2007
#6
  • Jun 17, 2007
  • #6
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

New Member
Mar 20, 2003
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MT
Jun 18, 2007
#7
  • Jun 18, 2007
  • #7
Called TRAFFIC !

Thats why we got the auto..........
 

scrming

New Member
Aug 9, 2005
476
2
0
Jun 18, 2007
#8
  • Jun 18, 2007
  • #8
bluecar said:
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

Click to expand...

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

Founding Member
Nov 4, 2001
228
0
16
Victoria, BC Canada
Jun 19, 2007
#9
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #9
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

Member
Jan 23, 2007
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6
Connecticut
Jun 19, 2007
#10
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #10
Hey automatics are more consistent at the track and aren't as tough on the drivetrain, therefore easier on parts.
 
G

Gene K

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Jun 29, 2006
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Jun 19, 2007
#11
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #11
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

Member
May 4, 2005
0
0
18
Where eagles dare
Jun 19, 2007
#12
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #12
shooterm1 said:
Yes!

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


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

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Jun 19, 2007
#13
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #13
jspagna1 said:
Hey automatics are more consistent at the track and aren't as tough on the drivetrain, therefore easier on parts.
Click to expand...

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
 
S

shooterm1

New Member
Jul 18, 2005
540
1
0
Milford, Pennsylvania USA
Jun 19, 2007
#14
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #14
OK, lets refocus ...

The question answered was
Did Ford build more Automatic GT's than 5-speeds?
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

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

Active Member
Sep 18, 2005
1,186
1
36
Enfield, CT
Jun 19, 2007
#15
  • Jun 19, 2007
  • #15
kooldawg6 said:
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.
Click to expand...


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

New Member
Aug 11, 2006
60
0
0
Jun 20, 2007
#16
  • Jun 20, 2007
  • #16
I can also vouge, Lidio hooked my Auto up as well and it really is a nice set up.
 

Joe Fan

New Member
Apr 18, 2007
49
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0
Independence, Missouri
Jun 21, 2007
#17
  • Jun 21, 2007
  • #17
Gene K said:
With the current standard 3.31 Gears the 5spd Auto is at least as fast as the MT.
Click to expand...

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

Member
Sep 5, 2006
117
3
19
Illinois
Jun 22, 2007
#18
  • Jun 22, 2007
  • #18
rmays06 said:
I can also vouge, Lidio hooked my Auto up as well and it really is a nice set up.
Click to expand...

Who is Lindio?
 

scrming

New Member
Aug 9, 2005
476
2
0
Jun 22, 2007
#19
  • Jun 22, 2007
  • #19
tr7driver said:
Who is Lindio?
Click to expand...

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

Founding Member
Nov 5, 2002
721
8
48
Burbank, CA
Jun 22, 2007
#20
  • Jun 22, 2007
  • #20
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.
 
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