Manual?

[DarkMatterGrey]

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.”.

I'm 62 (almost geriatric) and got the manual. Easiest manual I've ever driven. Hill Assist, Rev Match, Throttle Blip for first and reverse (great when in a parking lot). Hardest thing is getting out of the car (my wife hates it for that reason). My son has a 2022 GT, the helper aids (hill assist, rev match, throttle blip) aren't as refined in his S550 as they are in my S650. He calls mine a semi-auto. My 2022 S550 EcoBoost manual (they don't make those anymore) had no helpers (rev match, throttle blip), which made it harder to drive than the GT V8's.

Benefit to a Dark Horse is there's no Start/Stop, but there is a $1300 gas guzzler tax. I have an early Job 1 (2023 build) 2024 with no Start/Stop either, but I *only* had to pay $1000 gas guzzler tax. I've looked at Dark Horses, too much car for me, but I get why people get them, especially Handling Package (look up Misha Charoudin Nurburgring Dark Horse on YouTube) for track use.

If HomeLink (garage door buttons on the sun visor) is important to you, supposedly that's going away for 2026. My 2024 non-premium didn't have it (only premiums did), but I was able to buy one off of eBay and it was easy to install, so that could be the solution for 2026's. There's a bunch of 2025 and some 2024's around too, very few Job 1 2024's from 2023 as well, but those had much lower MSRP (and no Start/Stop).

I wouldn't even consider a manual, which is why I bought the V8 after I got hit from behind in my 2022 EcoBoost since they discontinued the manuals in those. That's when I realized how easy the manual is in the S650 V8's.

I hope that helps.

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[shubox56]

Hey Dark Matter -

Thanks for getting back to me. You asked, “I hope this helps?” — it absolutely does. At the end of the day, a test drive of the GT/P and DH is essential. Still, that’s just one day spent navigating the nuances of different models and options. Sure, you can form a general impression, but it won’t capture the long-term reality of living with those choices; especially when the “passion blinders” make you feel like a kid again.

I’m a firm believer in asking first. Real-world, long-term experiences are the best defense against marketing hype and give you the insight to spot what really matters during a test drive. Overlooking that, especially at the inflated cost of a Mustang, risks leading straight to buyer’s remorse.

I appreciate every single response; their "lived in" opinion.

By the way, my gut says the Stingray offers better value. But just like your wife’s dislike of climbing in and out of the GT, the Corvette is even worse. Getting in requires near contortionist moves if you want to avoid damaging the seat bolsters or putting stress on the steering column; which is both a hassle to fix and expensive at the dealership. I haven’t driven one myself, but I have sat in one. They’re gorgeous cars, especially for anyone drawn to that exotic, supercar aesthetic.

 

[Killshot58]

DANG! That hurts! GT or DH with the Tremec?

Yes, it was very painful, but if I'm going to spend big bucks, I want what I want. Premium GT Vapor Blue Pony Night Package...Brembo brakes..AE. Very happy with it!

 

[Neggytive]

By the way, my gut says the Stingray offers better value. But just like your wife’s dislike of climbing in and out of the GT, the Corvette is even worse. Getting in requires near contortionist moves if you want to avoid damaging the seat bolsters or putting stress on the steering column; which is both a hassle to fix and expensive at the dealership. I haven’t driven one myself, but I have sat in one. They’re gorgeous cars, especially for anyone drawn to that exotic, supercar aesthetic.

Oh you hit the nail on the head WRT ease of entry/exit in the S650 cars vs any Corvette ever made.

Getting in and out of my C4 was a chore, which is why when it was parked side next to my 2007 GT Premium ragtop if I had to go somewhere chances are I was taking the Mustang.

 

[shubox56]

Nice pair of cars.

 

[Redback]

One more consideration to suggest, if I may, from a fellow old fart. Movement is medicine, and mental exertion has been shown to slow the onset of mental decline. A manual engages and requires coordination of all four limbs... not just two. It also requires mental engagement... correct gear selection, rev matching etc... mentally you have to be more "on the ball" with a stick than with a somewhat mindless gas-brake-gas-brake automatic. If for no other reason, get a manual for your health.

 

[musclecar6]

I’m a lifelong performance car junkie, mostly Corvettes, but had my share of other fun rides along the way. I had later on in my Corvette experience, two Corvettes at the same time both supercharged by Lingenfelter one the 2006 an automatic and the 2010 grand sport a stick.

When I would choose which one to drive if I was gonna drive in traffic or take a trip, I always came down to the same decision point. I wanted to take the 2010 cause that had more power than the 2006 with the automatic, but it was a stick. And I was gonna be in traffic and if there was a tie up if I was going cross country then I would be having to drive it in traffic and it became a major chore. So ultimately, I always took the automatic when I had traffic for long trips.

Sounds like in your case you’re gonna be retired and you just wanna have a fun car that you’re not gonna have to deal with traffic and the rest of it. So if it were me, I would definitely go with the dark horse and the stick. That’s the better tranny of the two manuals from all reports, and it’ll just be more fun cause sounds like you’re really looking for the experience of taking you back to the old days whether you are doing what we used to call a power shift back then, or heal and toeing or whatever, the stick will be a blast. You’ll feel like you’re 16 again.

 

[shubox56]

Now THAT was an interesting twist. LOL

 

[Neggytive]

I hearya Neggy. I'm startled by the pricing. It's why I'm now considering a GT Premium with a few options like 401A (or is it 401K), Active Exhaust, B&O, and Brembos. $45,000 max as dealers reduce inventory. I'll set aside a budget for a few aftermarket additions like adjustable coilovers and new wheels. The add-ons after adjusting to the new ride. Though I will not know till I test drive, I'm betting I will not need PP being a straight line kinda guy.

This exercise is helping me set expectations. Very helpful.

Why the active exhaust?

The car growls with the stock exhaust and you get what for the $1500+ dollars for the active..something like 8 HP?

The stock brakes are fine, and the bigger brakes eliminate being able to have a spare tire, you know the one that was $415 in 2024 now $615 dollars on the 2026, and you might want to spend that money as they no longer put the little compressor and can of slime in the car.. more cost cutting by the bean counters

You blow out a sidewall somewhere or get a flat late at night or on the weekend you are going to want that spare in the trunk.


If you were doing track days I can see why you want larger brakes but I don't think you are going to find anyone here that says they wish they had dropped the money on the better Brembo stuff vs stock on daily drivers or weekend driver cars.

The options on my car were the 401A package ($2990), which in 2024 gave you the B&O, the Auto which was an option in 24 and was like $1595, Spare tire for $415, and the Rapid Red 3 stage which was $495 in 24, now the current 3 stage red is a $995 dollar option.

$51,515 for the GT Ragtop, $5,405 in options, $1595 to truck it to the dealer, MSRP was $58,515.

The ragtop added about $5000 to the price

I bought it on the X plan and was like $56,500 out the door with all dealer fees, no tax,title, or registration.

If I were you I would see if Hertz has a GT for rent near you and rent one for the weekend and drive the wheels off it.

 

[Neggytive]

PS if you want a car that is going to go like *&^%, look at someplace like Lebanon Ford in Ohio and take the half or less of the price difference between a over optioned GT and a 2LT and buy something off the lot with the Ford Performance ( Whipple) Supercharger

Unfortunately right now there are no 401A cars available for sale there

 

[Dave H]

Get the manual, the standard GT manual is just fine if your not pushing the car to its limit all the time it performs well. The fun factor is a major reason to, I'm so glad I chose the manual on my car, I'm 61 and love it, it revs a little when you release the clutch which is a great feature and I added a weighted gear knob that has greatly improved the gear changes as well.

 

[Alex381]

Why the active exhaust?

The car growls with the stock exhaust and you get what for the $1500+ dollars for the active..something like 8 HP?

The stock brakes are fine, and the bigger brakes eliminate being able to have a spare tire, you know the one that was $415 in 2024 now $615 dollars on the 2026, and you might want to spend that money as they no longer put the little compressor and can of slime in the car.. more cost cutting by the bean counters

You blow out a sidewall somewhere or get a flat late at night or on the weekend you are going to want that spare in the trunk.


If you were doing track days I can see why you want larger brakes but I don't think you are going to find anyone here that says they wish they had dropped the money on the better Brembo stuff vs stock on daily drivers or weekend driver cars.

The options on my car were the 401A package ($2990), which in 2024 gave you the B&O, the Auto which was an option in 24 and was like $1595, Spare tire for $415, and the Rapid Red 3 stage which was $495 in 24, now the current 3 stage red is a $995 dollar option.

$51,515 for the GT Ragtop, $5,405 in options, $1595 to truck it to the dealer, MSRP was $58,515.

The ragtop added about $5000 to the price

I bought it on the X plan and was like $56,500 out the door with all dealer fees, no tax,title, or registration.

If I were you I would see if Hertz has a GT for rent near you and rent one for the weekend and drive the wheels off it.

Mine came with all that plus the active exhaust and the GT/CS package and was $53k. the base exhaust is fine, but in addition to getting quick a bit louder, the active exhaust can also be significantly quieter if you prefer. which from time to time being quiet is golden.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Why the active exhaust?

The car growls with the stock exhaust and you get what for the $1500+ dollars for the active..something like 8 HP?

The stock brakes are fine, and the bigger brakes eliminate being able to have a spare tire, you know the one that was $415 in 2024 now $615 dollars on the 2026, and you might want to spend that money as they no longer put the little compressor and can of slime in the car.. more cost cutting by the bean counters

You blow out a sidewall somewhere or get a flat late at night or on the weekend you are going to want that spare in the trunk.


If you were doing track days I can see why you want larger brakes but I don't think you are going to find anyone here that says they wish they had dropped the money on the better Brembo stuff vs stock on daily drivers or weekend driver cars.

The options on my car were the 401A package ($2990), which in 2024 gave you the B&O, the Auto which was an option in 24 and was like $1595, Spare tire for $415, and the Rapid Red 3 stage which was $495 in 24, now the current 3 stage red is a $995 dollar option.

$51,515 for the GT Ragtop, $5,405 in options, $1595 to truck it to the dealer, MSRP was $58,515.

The ragtop added about $5000 to the price

I bought it on the X plan and was like $56,500 out the door with all dealer fees, no tax,title, or registration.

If I were you I would see if Hertz has a GT for rent near you and rent one for the weekend and drive the wheels off it.

I agree with all this, except active exhaust is a must. Not for the extra 8 HP, but for the quad tips and ability to have 4 modes. Quiet mode is more useful than you think. And track mode with everything wide open sounds absolutely incredible. It's worth the money.

 

[speedfrk]

The only reason I would even get a Mustang is for the V8 and manual. Other than that, I'd find a low mile Mercedes SL- which is just an absolutely incredible car and are fantastic deals. If you're retired (like me), and you have another vehicle to drive when you need something bigger or more comfortable, get the manual. If its your only vehicle, that's a tougher decision... I still jump on my bikes every day the weather is good for a mental health ride. I'm pushing 70, so I know this won't last forever and I'm taking what I can get while I can get it.

 

[Paul's stable]

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!

That's funny the Tremec and HP was a deal breaker also preferred the Recaro's I'm 63 with spinal arthritis pain. It is still worth it once I'm in them. Little pain for fun but I love it.

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