Manual?

[tktrain]

I had a Z06 Tremec and six gear was useless unless overdrive was wanted and it wasn't. Decided not to do it again and a bad back doesn't need to be pushing pedals. I find my automatic fun and quick as hell. LIke the paddles now and then. Both have their place.

I agree completely. Try Drag mode and paddle shift at 7250. It hits like a hammer. Love that shift. I have a CJ automatic mustang and the tire bark on the 1-2 shift is a blast. It's personal taste as to what you want. Personally, I want it to be as fast as possible, and that means the A10.

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[shubox56]

Real world experiences carry a lot weight. Especially from guys near my age. Sadly, 70's is a decade of decline for many of us, so it's not just about how it feels to drive today. I have to keep that in mind.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Real world experiences carry a lot weight. Especially from guys near my age. Sadly, 70's is a decade of decline for many of us, so it's not just about how it feels to drive today. I have to keep that in mind.

Im glad you came back to this. The thread has predictably devolved into a manual vs auto contest where everyone feels compelled to justify their personal choice, and we've gotten away from the original topic.

Unfortunately I can't comment on the physical limits of driving a stick in your later years as you have a couple decades on me. But My intuition tells me you would be very happy in an auto and the piece of mind of not worrying about knee or back pain. I still say drive both and report back

 

[ChitownStang]

I’m sorry, but I’ll say it again after hearing all the excuses to get the A10.
automatic sports cars suck! Worst decision I made was my last car , Mach 1 with 10-speed.
If you need to drive one because your old, or drive your mustang in traffic, or just think you can be a little faster at your local stop light then Kudos to you. But let’s be serious, if you’re a driving enthusiast… get the best manual and never look back

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I’m sorry, but I’ll say it again after hearing all the excuses to get the A10.
automatic sports cars suck! Worst decision I made was my last car , Mach 1 with 10-speed.
If you need to drive one because your old, or drive your mustang in traffic, or just think you can be a little faster at your local stop light then Kudos to you. But let’s be serious, if you’re a driving enthusiast… get the best manual and never look back

...right on the heals of my last post saying the thread is devolving into manual vs auto pissing contest.

 

[tktrain]

Speed matters, and I bought mine to be fast. You want a stick, you buy a stick. If I want an automatic and go faster, I'll buy an automatic. To each his own. To me, it's all about getting there first. I've had bunches of both and it all boils down to performance to me. If you want to row the gears, enjoy your stick.

 

[ChitownStang]

Speed matters, and I bought mine to be fast. You want a stick, you buy a stick. If I want an automatic and go faster, I'll buy an automatic. To each his own. To me, it's all about getting there first. I've had bunches of both and it all boils down to performance to me. If you want to row the gears, enjoy your stick.

Fast? Faster than what? Every nice electric car on the road will smoke you… that’s why this “I’m faster with my auto mustang” is hilarious argument.
Again, if you’re in a class at a drag strip, yes automatic wins.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Fast? Faster than what? Every nice electric car on the road will smoke you… that’s why this “I’m faster with my auto mustang” is hilarious argument.

No one is talking about EVs. We're talking apples to apples mustang auto vs manual. And it's a valid point if you are deciding between the two.

Again, if you’re in a class at a drag strip, yes automatic wins.

...or on any track or road course.

Seriously, no need to get salty and argue. Theres pros and cons to both. Drive what you like and don't take differing opinions personally. The guy came here to find out if his 70 year old body can deal with 3 pedals. Not to have people unzip their pants and measure over a damn transmission.

 

[tktrain]

No one is talking about EVs. We're talking apples to apples mustang auto vs manual. And it's a valid point if you are deciding between the two.

...or on any track or road course.

Seriously, no need to get salty and argue. Theres pros and cons to both. Drive what you like and don't take it differing opinions personally. The guy came here to find out of his 70 year old body can deal with 3 pedals. Not to have people unzip their pants and measure over a damn transmission.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[shubox56]

Im glad you came back to this. The thread has predictably devolved into a manual vs auto contest where everyone feels compelled to justify their personal choice, and we've gotten away from the original topic.

Unfortunately I can't comment on the physical limits of driving a stick in your later years as you have a couple decades on me. But My intuition tells me you would be very happy in an auto and the piece of mind of not worrying about knee or back pain. I still say drive both and report back

I truly appreciate all the opinions shared — whether it’s manual vs. A10 from a reliability standpoint, which is faster, or which is most enjoyable. But you’re right: what I was really looking for was feedback on ease of use, especially for those of us no longer blessed with youth.

From what I can tell, this forum leans toward a younger crowd — folks in that sweet spot of life where they’ve “arrived” and can support an expensive hobby. As a long‑time enthusiast, it makes me happy to see the torch being carried forward.

I sold my 56 Chevy exactly 30 years after buying it. In that time, I swapped three motors, a transmission, rear ends, and countless mechanical and aesthetic elements ; 100% all me in a townhouse garage. As retirement approached, the car became a serious handful. Keeping a 671‑blown motor dialed in was a constant effort, and eventually I made the decision to let her go. My best friend, who owns wicked 55 and 56 Chevys, thought I was crazy — maybe he was right. But my thinking was to buy a new‑school hot rod with just enough nods to the past to keep me happy. Something I could enjoy in retirement, keeping my hot‑rod identity intact without all the headaches that came with my 56.

So, long story short, what I’m really after is insight into the ease of driving a modern manual. My only memory of driving a stick goes back 55 years, and it was a nightmare thanks to the hilly area I lived in. I don’t know where my body will be in 5, 10, or 20 years (God willing), so I’ll test drive both and make the call. With winter here, I’ve got several months to hunt for the right deal. And if that deal turns out to be a manual, I came here hoping to hear from the “geriatric crowd.”.

 

[Zig]

I truly appreciate all the opinions shared — whether it’s manual vs. A10 from a reliability standpoint, which is faster, or which is most enjoyable. But you’re right: what I was really looking for was feedback on ease of use, especially for those of us no longer blessed with youth.

From what I can tell, this forum leans toward a younger crowd — folks in that sweet spot of life where they’ve “arrived” and can support an expensive hobby. As a long‑time enthusiast, it makes me happy to see the torch being carried forward.

I sold my 56 Chevy exactly 30 years after buying it. In that time, I swapped three motors, a transmission, rear ends, and countless mechanical and aesthetic elements ; 100% all me in a townhouse garage. As retirement approached, the car became a serious handful. Keeping a 671‑blown motor dialed in was a constant effort, and eventually I made the decision to let her go. My best friend, who owns wicked 55 and 56 Chevys, thought I was crazy — maybe he was right. But my thinking was to buy a new‑school hot rod with just enough nods to the past to keep me happy. Something I could enjoy in retirement, keeping my hot‑rod identity intact without all the headaches that came with my 56.

So, long story short, what I’m really after is insight into the ease of driving a modern manual. My only memory of driving a stick goes back 55 years, and it was a nightmare thanks to the hilly area I lived in. I don’t know where my body will be in 5, 10, or 20 years (God willing), so I’ll test drive both and make the call. With winter here, I’ve got several months to hunt for the right deal. And if that deal turns out to be a manual, I came here hoping to hear from the “geriatric crowd.”.

It’s so easy you might even think it’s an automatic

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I'm gonna have some ice cream...should I eat chocolate or butter pecan?

 

[ChitownStang]

No one is talking about EVs. We're talking apples to apples mustang auto vs manual. And it's a valid point if you are deciding between the two.

...or on any track or road course.

Seriously, no need to get salty and argue. Theres pros and cons to both. Drive what you like and don't take it differing opinions personally. The guy came here to find out of his 70 year old body can deal with 3 pedals. Not to have people unzip their pants and measure over a damn transmission.

Sorry, I had too many pops last night..
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[Alex381]

I truly appreciate all the opinions shared — whether it’s manual vs. A10 from a reliability standpoint, which is faster, or which is most enjoyable. But you’re right: what I was really looking for was feedback on ease of use, especially for those of us no longer blessed with youth.

From what I can tell, this forum leans toward a younger crowd — folks in that sweet spot of life where they’ve “arrived” and can support an expensive hobby. As a long‑time enthusiast, it makes me happy to see the torch being carried forward.

I sold my 56 Chevy exactly 30 years after buying it. In that time, I swapped three motors, a transmission, rear ends, and countless mechanical and aesthetic elements ; 100% all me in a townhouse garage. As retirement approached, the car became a serious handful. Keeping a 671‑blown motor dialed in was a constant effort, and eventually I made the decision to let her go. My best friend, who owns wicked 55 and 56 Chevys, thought I was crazy — maybe he was right. But my thinking was to buy a new‑school hot rod with just enough nods to the past to keep me happy. Something I could enjoy in retirement, keeping my hot‑rod identity intact without all the headaches that came with my 56.

So, long story short, what I’m really after is insight into the ease of driving a modern manual. My only memory of driving a stick goes back 55 years, and it was a nightmare thanks to the hilly area I lived in. I don’t know where my body will be in 5, 10, or 20 years (God willing), so I’ll test drive both and make the call. With winter here, I’ve got several months to hunt for the right deal. And if that deal turns out to be a manual, I came here hoping to hear from the “geriatric crowd.”.

That’s incredible. good luck with the test drives, I hope you find what you want.

 

[TMR]

I truly appreciate all the opinions shared — whether it’s manual vs. A10 from a reliability standpoint, which is faster, or which is most enjoyable. But you’re right: what I was really looking for was feedback on ease of use, especially for those of us no longer blessed with youth.

From what I can tell, this forum leans toward a younger crowd — folks in that sweet spot of life where they’ve “arrived” and can support an expensive hobby. As a long‑time enthusiast, it makes me happy to see the torch being carried forward.

I sold my 56 Chevy exactly 30 years after buying it. In that time, I swapped three motors, a transmission, rear ends, and countless mechanical and aesthetic elements ; 100% all me in a townhouse garage. As retirement approached, the car became a serious handful. Keeping a 671‑blown motor dialed in was a constant effort, and eventually I made the decision to let her go. My best friend, who owns wicked 55 and 56 Chevys, thought I was crazy — maybe he was right. But my thinking was to buy a new‑school hot rod with just enough nods to the past to keep me happy. Something I could enjoy in retirement, keeping my hot‑rod identity intact without all the headaches that came with my 56.

So, long story short, what I’m really after is insight into the ease of driving a modern manual. My only memory of driving a stick goes back 55 years, and it was a nightmare thanks to the hilly area I lived in. I don’t know where my body will be in 5, 10, or 20 years (God willing), so I’ll test drive both and make the call. With winter here, I’ve got several months to hunt for the right deal. And if that deal turns out to be a manual, I came here hoping to hear from the “geriatric crowd.”.

My father has been a manual devotee all his life and has had a succession of manual sport sedans. When he was ~70, he had some joint challenges and switched to a high performance SUV with an automatic. He has been happy with the decision.
He is now in his 80's and I'm about a decade behind you. When I told him I was getting a manual he cautioned on the strain on my sometimes challenged knee and the impact on my ability to shift with precision. But for me it is an enjoy it while I can decision. So I'm getting a manual.
In a decade there is a good chance I would make a different decision given the depreciation on this asset and the time I might have to enjoy the drivetrain...vs an automatic I could drive and enjoy for decades.
That's as geriatric as I can get

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