Manual to Auto 5.0 guys

[AnotherS197GT]

Do any of you regret going to the auto? I've started the hunt for my next car and I'm leaning towards an auto. I've never owned an auto car yet. I do a lot of stop and go driving to and from work and around town. I never really get a chance to row gears any more. I'm leaning towards auto for my daily commute and I'm also a little worried about getting a bad mt-82. Im also looking to do more racing with this car, so I figured auto would be best for that.

I'm having a hard time convincing myself that I want the auto, but I'm also having a hard time convincing myself that I wanna roll the dice on an early used mt-82. I think my biggest fear right now is being unhappy with the trans choice I make. What the hell should I do?

 

[FIVE-OH]

Well, here is my story. I owned a MT-82 before this 6R80, and I have always had manual muscle cars. To say the least I got a "bad" MT-82. Even in warm weather for the first 10-15 minutes getting into 2nd gear was a chore, it hated getting shifted fast on the 2-3 shift, it made all sorts of odd noises, was super notchy, etc, etc. It was by far my worst manual gearbox I have ever owned. Ford dealer said it was all "normal operating characteristics" and just offered a fluid change. The car was annoying to drive, and another Ford dealer agreed some of my issues were not normal, but couldn't fix any of it. So after a few calls to Ford customer service and getting help from Ford higher ups I was able to trade the car in for no loss on another '11, but this time a 6R80. At first it was "odd" not shifting, but the car shifts pretty good for a stock tune (tune it and it shifts amazingly well), but I got to like it. It shifts smooth when you are putting around town, and quickly when you want it too. Downshifts are good too. Best part is it is SUPER strong. There are guys running in the 8's with these trannies with minor upgrades. I too like to drag race a lot, and plan on doing a converter. For drag racing you just can't beat a good auto.

Best advise I can give is get what you want. You might get an "okay" MT-82 (IMO none are perfect, as I've driven 9), or you could get a bad apple like I did. If you want to play it safe, and if you want to drag race a lot I would seriously consider the 6R80. I am 100% happy I made the change.

Good luck.

 

[BAKnBLK2010]

Get the auto. After owning both the auto is a no brainer. I was constantly worried the MT82 was going to break. It never did but it did whine badly and shifted poorly when cold.

 

[Bald Menace]

I agree with both the posts before mine. i had a 2011 5.0 with auto and around town you would never know the car has 400 hp, but step down on it and you can certainly tell. I currently have a 2013 M6 with 2500 miles and seriously considering trading in for an A6 model.

 

[fdjizm]

If I get a new 5.0 in the future I would go auto for sure.

 

[AnotherS197GT]

Thanks for the input guys. I expected you of all people to bust my balls Frankie. Any of y'all have the TCI ratchet shifter? I really don't care for the stock shifters appearance and I'd love to have a better option for manually shifting as well

 

[fdjizm]

Well now it doesn't mean you DON'T have a vagina, just that you want your vagina updated and convenient

 

[RazorbackMustang]

MT82 owner here. I wouldn't even consider an auto. But that's me. Yes, I've had a little trouble with the trans. It's actually at the dealer now getting it checked out and hopefully replaced. I still love the trans. Shifts are butter smooth and gear ratios are matched perfectly. I've never owned an auto Mustang and don't plan to. Where do you drive it more? At the dragstrip or on the street? I put way more miles on mine on the street so that's where I want to have the most enjoyable experience.

 

[MindIfISmoke?]

Shut up Lucas

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[FIVE-OH]

MT82 owner here. I wouldn't even consider an auto. But that's me. Yes, I've had a little trouble with the trans. It's actually at the dealer now getting it checked out and hopefully replaced. I still love the trans. Shifts are butter smooth and gear ratios are matched perfectly. I've never owned an auto Mustang and don't plan to. Where do you drive it more? At the dragstrip or on the street? I put way more miles on mine on the street so that's where I want to have the most enjoyable experience.

How can you "love" it if it's broke?

 

[fdjizm]

MT82 owner here. I wouldn't even consider an auto. But that's me. Yes, I've had a little trouble with the trans. It's actually at the dealer now getting it checked out and hopefully replaced. I still love the trans. Shifts are butter smooth and gear ratios are matched perfectly. I've never owned an auto Mustang and don't plan to. Where do you drive it more? At the dragstrip or on the street? I put way more miles on mine on the street so that's where I want to have the most enjoyable experience.

Kind of kills your point there buddy, just sayin

 

[JEWC_Motorsports]

I already told you how i felt....I love the auto. I enjoy driving this car much more than i did the mt82 car. LOL i will let the computer shift for me. All i have to do is hold on and keep the wheel straight.

 

[BLK2012GT]

I much rather have a manual then an auto. But get what you want. As long as its a 5.0 you can't go wrong.

 

[FIVE-OH]

I much rather have a manual then an auto. But get what you want. As long as its a 5.0 you can't go wrong.

So did you go from a manual to an auto?

 

[TenSpeed]

Manual here. No whine. No strange noises I don't think. Does not like shifting into 2nd when cold though. It's a bit of a pain in the ass honestly. Totally worth it though. I couldn't imagine driving this car as an auto. I would be disappoint. I don't drag race or race it at all. Just drive it. So much more fun shifting my own gears.

You really can't go wrong either way. They both have their strong and weak points. If you are doubting getting a manual, that means that you want one. If you didn't, you would have no doubts, and would be getting an auto for sure.

 

[46Tbird]

You might get an "okay" MT-82 (IMO none are perfect, as I've driven 9),

By nature, manual transmissions are going to be more 'clunky' and 'noisy' than an automatic, especially if you're an inexperienced or bad driver. Mine is perfect. I invite you to come down and drive it anytime.

OP, just get whatever you want. If you want an enjoyable daily driver, I would recommend the stick because it's a LOT more fun to drive. Obviously there are a lot of satisfied A6 guys, but I would only get one if I had plans to run 10s or quicker. And even then I would still have a hard time getting the auto because I love to bang gears.

Drive both and decide what you can live with for the next five years!

 

[BLK2012GT]

So did you go from a manual to an auto?

Manual of course

 

[FIVE-OH]

By nature, manual transmissions are going to be more 'clunky' and 'noisy' than an automatic, especially if you're an inexperienced or bad driver. Mine is perfect. I invite you to come down and drive it anytime.
!

Not really true, as I have owned over 15 manuals, and still own 1. None shifted like my MT-82, and I have 15 years of drag racing experience. So I surely know how to shift if that was suppose to be a jab. My MT-82 was a complete horror. I am glad you got a good one, I wish I did.

 

[FIVE-OH]

By the way, the OP was asking to hear from people who have owned both what their experiences were...not a "oh get this" thread.

 

[46Tbird]

Not really true, as I have owned over 15 manuals, and still own 1. None shifted like my MT-82, and I have 15 years of drag racing experience. So I surely know how to shift if that was suppose to be a jab. My MT-82 was a complete horror. I am glad you got a good one, I wish I did.

Not meant to be a jab, but your description sounded like you might be unfamiliar with the ins and outs of driving a stick. I just find it near impossible that you drove nine consecutive cars, all with bad transmissions. If that were the case everywhere, there would be a class action lawsuit against Ford. I've driven / ridden in a similar number of MT82 cars and I've heard a whine from only one of them, and none were what I'd call "bad."

By the way, the OP was asking to hear from people who have owned both what their experiences were...not a "oh get this" thread.

That's cool. I did drive a rental 2012 GT A6 across the country too. I drove it 3600 miles, which is more than some people here have driven the car they actually own.

I liked the auto quite a bit, just prefer the stick.