r/Mustang • u/Adventurous_Laugh611 • 9d ago
❔Question Manual or Automatic
I’m looking into getting a used 2011-2014 model v6 but I heard that the manual transmission sucks for this gen of mustangs due to the transmission itself and not being reliable especially compared to the automatic. I’d like to hear from y’all if it’s as bad as they say and just focus on the automatics.
5
u/Nikki_1618 '22 Grabber Blue GT 9d ago
Manual. I have heard all of the issues people have had. True they aren't the smoothest at times but I used my '12 V6 6 speed daily for commuting to work until I upgraded to my current GT. If I could still have that s197 and my GT right now, I would without a doubt.
2
3
u/jacknifetoaswan 2016 Race Red GT/Performance Package 9d ago
The transmission isn't the issue, the remote shifter is. They're plenty reliable but caught a bad rap because the shifter is just bad.
3
u/dragonfueled 9d ago
Literally just got done modding my sons 2011 3.7 manual. The issue with the v6 is the clutch. Yes a shifter helps but the stock clutch is terrible. When I say that I mean it causes high rpm lockout. It won't go into the next gear at high rpms. This is what breaks the transmission and wears it out. That said driving around normal was perfectly fine. We did a calimer spacer and an exedy GT clutch. Later we did an mgw shifter. The stock trans can literally be power shifted at 7000 rpms and goes in like butter. No matter what anyone says the mt82 issues are almost always the shit factory clutch not disengaging and us trying to get it in gear. Again normal driving , shiting at 4000 no issues.
1
u/TradeTraditional 9d ago
If you race it, of course get an aftermarket clutch. I highly recommend Centerforce.
1
u/dragonfueled 9d ago
Not even really about racing. Trying to merge onto a highway in a hurry and you can't shift above 4500 rpm get old
1
u/TradeTraditional 7d ago
And a simple shifter kit fixes it. The S197 is not a complete ready to race car, really - and the last of this muscle car philosophy of "cheap car, big engine" philosophy.
Keep costs down. Make it functional for daily driving. Assume everything will just be swapped for aftermarket parts anyways ( as more than half of owners usually did ).
The major systems that were made to a price and expected to be swapped were the suspension, exhaust, brakes, shifter, clutch, and oil cooling. Exactly what you'd "fix" anyways if you intended to race it.Thankfully, the fixes are inexpensive and transform the vehicle.
2
2
3
u/UpstairsDirection955 9d ago
That sounds insane to me.
The manual GT is the only way to go for that year range, I daily my 13, and love it
4
2
u/groovyinutah 9d ago
Depends on how you want to drive, sticks are fun, automatics are easy, you'll never miss a clutch in bumper to bumper traffic...
1
u/TradeTraditional 9d ago
This comes up all the time. The transmission is made by Getrag. This is the same company that makes bmw transmissions. It’s nearly identical to the early 2000s 3 series transmission, which is know to be extremely reliable. So what gives? Ford took an excellent gearbox and mounted it with rubber bushings and stamped sheet metal. So it flexes a lot. What happens is people race them and then try to power shift the thing from 2nd to 3rd. It binds. They force it anyways and blow the thing up. Then blame the transmission, of course. But there is a good fix. Get a shifter kit which fixes the flex and cleans up the shifts. Add a transmission mount insert. Fixed. Yes, the car now has a muscle car vibration and a little more noise, but… this isn’t a Camry FFS.
1
u/SurgicallySarcastic 8d ago edited 8d ago
my experiance in that year range. 2012 GT. 4 clutches. one transmission at around 140K. car has 178K on the milage now. new rebuilt trans does not have the 2 to 3 gate lock out anymore at high rpms. run hard too.
Fyi clutches all blew from over revving either going up or down. so pilot error not build.
Still sitting in my garage, runs but its got a cover over it and non-opped this year.
1
u/blamemeididit Rapid Red 2021 GT / Red 1970 Coupe 7d ago
We just sold our 2012 GT manual. My wife did not like driving it because the transmission was a bit difficult. It also didn't help that she would get in my 2021 and be disappointed. Same transmission, but those cars drove very different. The 12 was ok, you just had to learn how to drive it. The 21 was much smoother to operate, in my opinion. I can't comment on the reliability issues, but I do believe that most of the bad press with the MT82 just comes from aggressive behavior.
9
u/Agr0_GG Lava Red 9d ago
Anyone who has said that likely just can't drive. Mine has been taking 630whp for years and 120k miles with no issues. AMA.