Auto Gearbox in the Mustang

[Duke of Kidderminster]

Hi all,

I'm considering getting a Ford Mustang 5.0 as I've always always always wanted always one always ever and always. Can anyone comment on what the auto gearbox is like in this car? I've driven the V6 Mustang auto in the US 6-7 years ago and it was fine and didn't seem to detract from the "Mustang experience" but I'm wondering what the UK version is like on the V8.

I already heard the "it's better to drive a manual" and "the Mustang should only be a manual" speeches but I have to sit in a lot of traffic jams and having an auto is a much nicer way to drive the car at 5mph everywhere. Also, my wife (not sure she'd drive a Mustang anyway) would also prefer an auto. I'm used to driving the DCT gearboxes from VAG.

Thanks

[swooshiain]

I bought one for the same reason as you I test drove an auto, but bought a manual. I definitely prefer the manual, but I also very rarely have to drive in stop-start traffic, as I live and work in a rural-ish area. That being said, I do sometimes drive in Edinburgh and around the bypass, and it's perfectly easy to live with in traffic. The auto didn't feel quite as brutal as the manual does to me, but it was still a lot of fun to drive, and it certainly still felt like I was driving something special.

The Mustang specialist dealer in my area tends to always have one or two demonstrators on the forecourt - assuming that's not unusual, you should be able to arrange a test drive in both.

[Duke of Kidderminster]

Thanks, I plan on giving it a test drive, I'm just doing all my homework at the moment

I take it that the auto box in the UK Mustang is a torque convertor without paddles? I think the Mustang GT I drove in the US a few years back had this type of gearbox and I don't remember it having paddles on the steering wheel.

I'm sure the info is out there but I just can't find any detail on the type of gearbox it uses and how it drives - the Ford brochure doesn't even publish acceleration times for the auto. After being used to driving the VAG DSG boxes for years I've gotten very used to their smoothness and quick changes. The last time I drove a different type of auto was in a CVT one and it was terrible. As much as I want an auto, if it is a bt of a naff gearbox then I'll steer clear of it.

[swooshiain]

I don't remember it having paddles, but it was nearly a year ago that I drove the auto. The auto box certainly didn't strike me as anything special, and the salesman wasn't too complimentary about it either - although he was an experienced salesman, and was probably just agreeing with my preference for a manual! That said, I know he was a genuine fast Ford enthusiast and petrolhead, so he might well have been giving his genuine opinion.

I think you'll be pleasantly suprised at how well behaved the manual is in a traffic jam - it's not an overly heavy clutch, and is no more awkward at super low speed than my Focus and Mondeo STs were. You do feel a bit self-conscious sometimes, though

[Duke of Kidderminster]

Lol - the other factor I'd been wondering is if it is a bit of a midlife crisis moment subconsciously driving this choice!

I'll go test drive it

[swooshiain]

I had much the same thought when I took delivery of my bright red Mustang in the same month I turned 40...

[Duke of Kidderminster]

Are you glad you bought it though?

It's been my favourite car since I was a kid and only now am I in a position to buy one.

[swooshiain]

Haven't regretted it for a second - I absolutely love it. It's my only car, and hence daily driver, but I only do about 7K miles a year, so I don't have to worry about fuel consumption particularly - I get about 23mpg from it. More importantly, it looks great, sounds great, and is a pleasure to drive. I've loved Mustangs since I was a kid, and the car has not disappointed me.