Manual?

[NegativeMultiplier]

I can't speak to the age part, as I'm not even close to approaching that point. However I can echo the comments made by others - there is rev matching, hill start assist, and anti-stall (if it stalls and you push the clutch in quick enough, it'll restart automatically - allegedly).

The clutch is pretty light as well, it's not featherweight but it requires less effort than you'd think.

I think the 10-speed is a lot of fun to drive, but I ultimately settled on the MT82 for mine. I'm not trying to be the fastest driver, and as much as I wanted a Dark Horse, the numbers weren't making sense when my time came. I didn't wanna compromise on the 6 speed either. It's not as bad as most people make it out to be, in my experience.

If you want to row your own, get the manual no matter which trim you end up with. You won't regret it.

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[AZ_Ryan]

I'm a flowchart kind of guy. Thanks for the feedback!

I will add my own experience regarding this - I came from a Tremec on my last Mustang (a 23 Mach 1). Then I test drove a manual GT S650 and was very underwhelmed by comparison. Then I drove an A10 GT S650 and was pleasantly and very surprised at how fast and fun it was.

So I would rank them in this order -

1. Six speed Tremec
2. A10
3. Six speed MT82

Again. Go drive them yourself and decide.

 

[MAT1955]

.....I hear you. In ordinary driving a 10 speed 10R80 will spank the manual Mustang tranny every day everywhere. Just sayin' .....BTW with the 10R80 you have paddle shifters and using them in conjunction with mode selection sure feels (and sounds) like a manual and your knee and hip joints will love you.

 

[GooberDH]

Get a Dark Horse if you want a manual, get a GT PP if you go with automatic. I did my time with the Getrag MT82, it was just "fine". The Tremec in the Dark Horse is a real treat.

 

[shubox56]

I was thinking Dark Horse with a 373, having lived with a 411 in my 56. The 56, however, seldom was driven on the highway. The 373 forces my hand IF I go that direction. Yet another topic worth consideration that plays into the decision.

Good stuff, guys. I always appreciate real world opinions.

 

[ChitownStang]

I’m a bit embarrassed to ask, but it’s been a long time since I last drove a manual. My first car was a 68 Chevelle with a small block and a stick. The motor was shot, so I rebuilt it in my high school shop with help from my teacher, who owned a 70 Chevelle 454 and a Corvette. The transmission worked fine, but the clutch was always a problem. I still remember sweating bullets on hills, terrified of rolling back when someone pulled up close behind me.

Now, at 70 years old, I’m considering buying another manual, but I’m nervous about the prospect. In my recently sold 56 Chevy, I ran a reverse manual valve body TCI Turbo 400 and loved it—the fun of a manual without the clutch. Realistically, I’ll probably play it safe with a 10‑speed automatic, but deep down I know the stick would be more fun.

For those with experience: what are your thoughts on choosing a manual at my age? Any advice or stories that might help me decide? I’m currently leaning toward either a GT Premium (loaded) or a Dark Horse (basic), though also looking at a base stingray.

I’m on my 4th V8 Mustang, 3 manuals and 1 10-speed auto.
The Tremec in the Dark Horse is absolutely perfect if you want a drivers car with great connection to the 500hp Coyote.
You will not be disappointed with this choice.

 

[shubox56]

I’m on my 4th V8 Mustang, 3 manuals and 1 10-speed auto.
The Tremec in the Dark Horse is absolutely perfect if you want a drivers car with great connection to the 500hp Coyote.
You will not be disappointed with this choice.

This is hitting home. Though a GT-P with an automatic remains a very real possibility (financial consideration), your comment about a "connection" with the Coyote hits home. I remember how it felt in my 68 Chevelle, something you just cannot forget.

 

[GooberDH]

I was thinking Dark Horse with a 373, having lived with a 411 in my 56. The 56, however, seldom was driven on the highway. The 373 forces my hand IF I go that direction. Yet another topic worth consideration that plays into the decision.

Good stuff, guys. I always appreciate real world opinions.

I had a S550 GT PP with 3.73 which had the Getrag MT82 like current manual GTs. 1st gear felt awfully short, especially in stop and go traffic. No auto rev match for down shifts and the hill start assist felt a little invasive to me, almost like it held the brakes a split second too long.

My 2024 Dark Horse feels totally different. My first drive in Normal Mode I thought, "wow, so easy and well behaved". The clutch feels light to moderate in weight to me but not tiresome in regular traffic.

Somethings I noticed with Tremec vs Getrag:

5th to 6th feels more like a command than a suggestion, stick slots nicely into place with Tremec. Stick can feel a little gritty at times but far less frequent than the Getrag. Upshift rev matches are more prompt, sometimes had to wait a second for rpm to drop shifting into 6th with Getrag, skip shifting like from 1st to 3rd drops revs quickly and appropriately, could never get it right with my S550. Downshift auto rev match is much appreciated and satisfactory in responsiveness. First gear still feels a bit short when casually cruising but not as bad as Getrag. Hill start assist feels much better behaved, maybe they use the extra electronic caliper vs the hydraulics on S550. My only complaint with Tremec is it doesn't like to go into reverse sometimes but rowing from 1st to second then to reverse sorts it out.

I'll stand by my previous advice. If auto, GT Performance Package and Magnaride will get you 95% of the Dark Horse experience. These cars are heavy but Magnaride lets them confidently throw their weight around. My Dark Horse Handling Package feels just as nimble to me as my friend's 2016 BMW M4, noticeably heavier but planted like it's on rails. If I were you and since you mentioned Dark Horse is financially in reach, I'd go with a Dark Horse manual, it feels different enough from my S550 GT to warrant the price difference and the stronger engine internals are appreciated since I plan to keep this car for a long time. Possibly the newest car I'll ever buy since I'm a bit old school and not a huge fan of all the screens and electronics in newer cars, I imagine it's only gonna get worse moving forward.

Another consideration if you want to save some cash is a S550 Mach 1 with Handling Package. Very similar to Dark Horse HP, Tremec manual, just a slightly dated interior.

 

[Matstang24]

Before my ‘25 Mustang (GT performance w/manual) I always had manual VW’s, so I don’t have experience with high performance manual cars; like the DH.

But I will say, this is an easy manual to drive and an amazing amount of fun. I’m sure pros could tell the difference with the DH and if you are going to track the car then maybe it makes a huge difference. But if you just want that fun street car with a manual that lets the coyote engine sing on the downshift, man it does not disappoint.

I love my car!

 

[BimmerDriver]

I was thinking Dark Horse with a 373, having lived with a 411 in my 56. The 56, however, seldom was driven on the highway. The 373 forces my hand IF I go that direction. Yet another topic worth consideration that plays into the decision.

Good stuff, guys. I always appreciate real world opinions.

I had two S550 GT manuals and now have a S650 DH manual. I honestly don't feel a lot of difference between the boxes, but the clutch has a better feel.

I am a strong proponent for the manual. I am not quite as old as you, OP, (congrats on the retirement!) but I'm getting closer and I have bad knees but insist on driving a manual as long as I am able.

Cruising on the highway with the 3.73 is fine, although the car does get lousy gas mileage. If I cared about that, I wouldn''t have bought a V8.

I bought the DH because I track it. Otherwise, I probably would have bought a GT with the manual of course. Absolutely do not get the handling package, it is brutal. Ditto avoid the Recaro seats, they hold you in place wonderfully, but are impossible to get out of (if one is of a certain age).

It's totally up to you of course. I suspect that after a few days, you'll remember how to drive the manual and you will enjoy the car more because of it.

Best of luck!

 

[shubox56]

I had two S550 GT manuals and now have a S650 DH manual. I honestly don't feel a lot of difference between the boxes, but the clutch has a better feel.

I am a strong proponent for the manual. I am not quite as old as you, OP, (congrats on the retirement!) but I'm getting closer and I have bad knees but insist on driving a manual as long as I am able.

Cruising on the highway with the 3.73 is fine, although the car does get lousy gas mileage. If I cared about that, I wouldn''t have bought a V8.

I bought the DH because I track it. Otherwise, I probably would have bought a GT with the manual of course. Absolutely do not get the handling package, it is brutal. Ditto avoid the Recaro seats, they hold you in place wonderfully, but are impossible to get out of (if one is of a certain age).

It's totally up to you of course. I suspect that after a few days, you'll remember how to drive the manual and you will enjoy the car more because of it.

Best of luck!

I have much to think about as I head into retirement. Having recenty purchased a 24 Camry XLE with nearly every available option, a car that was (and is) a true value at the $37,500 (purchase new), I'm not in a rush. With winter setting in (Chicago area), the goal is a purchase that balances value and performance. Something fun to drive which has me leaning towards a GT PP, but at the RIGHT price.

I'm hoping that dealers feel compelled to drop inventory as snow sets in. With retirement looming, I'll have LOTS of time to visit dealerships and test drive.

IF a DH becomes available at a price worthy of consideration, I'm willing go manual. The feedback provided is exactly what I needed.

 

[jawsr101]

I daily my 6 speed and love it. I have 2 budging disc in my low back that give me hip and low back pain and have a torn labrum (not bad enough any doctors want to operate). My only issue is not with the car it is I am getting old and I am fat so it is not easy to get in and out of even with easy exit seat option turn on. Either way you go I am sure you will love it.

 

[DeeDub SC]

Just my two cents: I have driven manuals for over 50 years now and have tried a couple high-end DCTs (Audi R8 and C8 Vette) and will stick with manuals. The new automatics are great no doubt, but unless you are tracking the car or live in very heavy traffic area, the manual is always way more day-to-day fun to drive. Just no comparison. I have 2024 GT Premium I custom ordered and have found it a really great ride. Just a little too big and heavy, but otherwise super option. Would highly recommend you take test drives in all versions you are considering to get a final decision. I drove DH at the Mustang Unleashed track event and didn't see that much difference to my GT Premium. Again, normal daily driving doesn't require all the top performance options to be just fine.

 

[OzzieRoss]

I’m a bit embarrassed to ask, but it’s been a long time since I last drove a manual. My first car was a 68 Chevelle with a small block and a stick. The motor was shot, so I rebuilt it in my high school shop with help from my teacher, who owned a 70 Chevelle 454 and a Corvette. The transmission worked fine, but the clutch was always a problem. I still remember sweating bullets on hills, terrified of rolling back when someone pulled up close behind me.

Now, at 70 years old, I’m considering buying another manual, but I’m nervous about the prospect. In my recently sold 56 Chevy, I ran a reverse manual valve body TCI Turbo 400 and loved it—the fun of a manual without the clutch. Realistically, I’ll probably play it safe with a 10‑speed automatic, but deep down I know the stick would be more fun.

For those with experience: what are your thoughts on choosing a manual at my age? Any advice or stories that might help me decide? I’m currently leaning toward either a GT Premium (loaded) or a Dark Horse (basic), though also looking at a base stingray.

I am just a few years your junior, less than five, and have the manual dark horse. I love it, it’s such an engaging drive. Perhaps not as fast on the track as the auto, but who cares at our age? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

btw I personally feel that in old age (whatever that means) drivers should be allowed to drive manual transmission cars only. They’re a lot safer! I haven’t seen any statistics on this but I bet the vast majority of elderly drivers hitting the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and causing a car park or driveway accident, were driving automatics. So there it is!

 

[Alex381]

I’ve drive manuals for 30 years. My last manual before my 24 Mustang GT was the 2014 Mustang GT. The main difference is that the clutch has even weight for the entire throw which it did not in the 14. Add in rev matching, and hill hold and it is a joy to drive by comparison.

But there is more. It also applies a bit of throttle as you let of the clutch. It has to be the easiest to drive manual I’ve ever experienced. I’ve no doubt that the tremec is a better transmission, but I can’t think of anything actually wrong with the MT82 in my Mustang.

Best advice is to go test drive the cars and make your own choice. My knee gets stiff when its about to rain, but that hasn’t impacted my ability to drive the car at all. Good luck!

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