2016 Ford Raptor!

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 14, 2015

I'd rather get a Ram Power Wagon then a Rebel.

cobrajet84 · January 14, 2015

I'd rather get a Ram Power Wagon then a Rebel.

then you gotta go to a 3/4 ton truck then too

truckofwinandawesome · January 15, 2015

Putting down more power and torque than ever is neutering?

So the Ford GT has an ecoboost v6......so what? It will outperform the supercharged 5.4.....is that bad? The Porsche 918 spyder has an electric motor. Is it neutered?

I love GM, but being objective, it's a great time to be a car fan of most makes.

Ford is RUINING the Ford GT's reputation by IGNORING its Heritage; the Iconic Half Doors that cut into the roof are being replaced by LAMBO DOORS, they ARE NOT Offering a Manual Transmission on it, and of course, having Ford's current Whiz Bang EGOBoost Technology shoved down its throat!

MikeNH · January 15, 2015

Manuals are pointless in a performance car, they're slower. No one builds serious performance cars with a manual anymore. The only reason the ZO6 has one is to pacify those who don't know any better.

As for the doors, I thought the old style were cool but I bet they probably don't meet standards for operating after a rollover or something. You also gotta be real careful if you're tall, the door is like s guillotine.

With you on the lack of a V8. Could care less about reliability. Just won't sound cool anymore.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 15, 2015

Manuals are pointless in a performance car, they're slower. No one builds serious performance cars with a manual anymore. The only reason the ZO6 has one is to pacify those who don't know any better.

As for the doors, I thought the old style were cool but I bet they probably don't meet standards for operating after a rollover or something. You also gotta be real careful if you're tall, the door is like s guillotine.

With you on the lack of a V8. Could care less about reliability. Just won't sound cool anymore.

To me the point of a manual is that it's more fun to drive and you feel more in control of the car. Sure an auto will shift quicker but with a manual you can decide what RPM to launch at and what RPMs to shift at. When I say manual, I also mean the actual stick in the floor, not the paddles on the back of the steering wheel. Anybody can drive an auto, the real driver can drive a manual and know what RPMs are the best for the launch and shifting. In a daily driver or anything where it wouldn't matter then an auto isn't bad, but in a performance car or anything you take serious off-road I would prefer a manual. If I ever buy a Camaro or any classic muscle car it will have to be a manual, an auto would be a deal breaker. I don't even mine driving a manual in city conditions.

MikeNH · January 15, 2015

The GT is a super car. Ford has said they're after low lap times (likely the Nurburgring like everyone else). A modern automatic is how you do that.

I've driven plenty of manuals, it's not a matter of ability. And I've never understood the love of manuals off-road. If you do mudding you'll wreck the clutch/pressure plate, you'll smoke it in the rocks and they're junk on the dunes, you loose too much momentum.

More fun? Maybe. Better. Can't agree with us there, sorry.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 15, 2015

The GT is a super car. Ford has said they're after low lap times (likely the Nurburgring like everyone else). A modern automatic is how you do that.

I've driven plenty of manuals, it's not a matter of ability. And I've never understood the love of manuals off-road. If you do mudding you'll wreck the clutch/pressure plate, you'll smoke it in the rocks and they're junk on the dunes, you loose too much momentum.

More fun? Maybe. Better. Can't agree with us there, sorry.

Well when I said a real driver, I didn't mean normal driving, I meant to actually race.

Rather a manual is better, it's hard to say since they evolving autos but not manuals. Part of that is that people want to be able to multitask while driving so people are becoming more lazy when it comes to actual driving.My very first vehicle/truck of my own was a manual and loved driving it anywhere. Also manuals are more basic than an auto when you talk about the internals which is a good thing. As for off-road, to me it's better to be able to control RPMs and when to shift. Off-roading will tear up anything so that's no different than a clutch. I've seen the TQ converter and clutches in an auto go out while off-roading.

I guess I'm a rare breed, I'm only 29 and I seem to prefer things that people who grew up in the muscle car era were into. I still prefer V8s, manuals and RWD. Autos aren't a bad thing, just some things I would prefer with a manual or would need a manual to even own.

MikeNH · January 15, 2015

What racing is better in a manual? Only nascar and similar outfits use them. Everything else is auto of some sort.

As for reliability, I wouldn't hesitate to take a modern auto through anything or anywhere I'd also take a manual. My first vehicle was a manual too and I'm glad it was, it's an important skill but truck manuals are no fun (especially Ford! I was shocked at how much better the old GM 5-speeds were).

And I think you're underestimating the issues with manuals off-road. Maybe it's more common in Jeeps but my friends with manual ones say it's real easy to draw mud into the bell housing and ruin everything. Mud in the same place in an auto won't do much of anything. And back in NH anyhow even if you don't set out to go in the mud you'll encounter it on most any trail.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 15, 2015

What racing is better in a manual? Only nascar and similar outfits use them. Everything else is auto of some sort.

As for reliability, I wouldn't hesitate to take a modern auto through anything or anywhere I'd also take a manual. My first vehicle was a manual too and I'm glad it was, it's an important skill but truck manuals are no fun (especially Ford! I was shocked at how much better the old GM 5-speeds were).

And I think you're underestimating the issues with manuals off-road. Maybe it's more common in Jeeps but my friends with manual ones say it's real easy to draw mud into the bell housing and ruin everything. Mud in the same place in an auto won't do much of anything. And back in NH anyhow even if you don't set out to go in the mud you'll encounter it on most any trail.

You're thinking about where they still have a stick to shift, every type of racing I watch or know of has a manual. Rather it's NASCAR, NHRA, F1, IndyCar, Australian V8s, all of them that I can think of use manuals rather it's a stick or paddles. Even though I don't like paddle shifts I know they're quicker to shift than a stick. Most supercars and exotics have paddles which is still a manual, just a quicker and different way to shift but you still choose when to shift. The only manuals I don't consider a manual is those autoshifts where it's just an auto trans where you override the trans computer.

Maybe I am underestimating manuals off-road a little, but my point is that off-roading tears anything up no matter what it is. I took my old 86 Chevy Custom Deluxe 2wd with a manual in the mud all the time and never had an issue with mud getting into the trans. Sure mudding will wear out the clutch quicker, but any kind of non-normal driving will do that.

I don't care what kind of vehicle I drive, I would prefer a manual. It's just some types where I either get a manual or nothing. A daily driver that's not performance then fine, but if it's a performance car it has to be a manual for me. I love driving manuals rather it's a commercial truck with 10+ speeds, pickup truck or a car new or old.

Jon A · January 15, 2015

Manuals are pointless in a performance car, they're slower. No one builds serious performance cars with a manual anymore. The only reason the ZO6 has one is to pacify those who don't know any better.

True for drag racing, not road racing. For road racing autos still need not apply. They're clumsy and simply don't survive very well.

The more advanced semi-auto/dual clutch transmissions are better than both, but as good as it is, the new 8-speed is not one of those.

MikeNH · January 15, 2015

I don't know much about Australian racing but F1, Indy and NHRA use automated manual boxes that are essentially automatic. You may pull a lever or paddle, but the shift is done electronically. Humans are the weak link and those DSGs or whatever you wish to call them are not really a manual transmission. Even the ones with a "shifter" are basically a giant two way switch- upshot or downshift. The clutch is computer controlled.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 15, 2015

I don't know much about Australian racing but F1, Indy and NHRA use automated manual boxes that are essentially automatic. You may pull a lever or paddle, but the shift is done electronically. Humans are the weak link and those DSGs or whatever you wish to call them are not really a manual transmission. Even the ones with a "shifter" are basically a giant two way switch- upshot or downshift. The clutch is computer controlled.

Well even in a computer controlled manual it's still a manual since the driver HAS to decide when to shift and doesn't automatically shift no matter what. That's why I still call them manual instead of "essentually an automatic". Either way no matter the internals if you have to shift yourself then it's a manual. Doesn't matter if it's an old school style with a shifter and gears or if it's computer controlled.

MikeNH · January 15, 2015

Call it what you like I guess. No one else calls that a manual though. And on street cars they all have fully automatic modes anyhow. I'm sure the GT will too. What you do with "shifting" these transmissions is no different than the manual mode in a conventional automatic. Some will even hold a gear until you change it.

Jon A · January 15, 2015

They are much different. They are manuals with clutches--just with a "fancy" shifter.

The Corvette 8-speed is not one of those. It has a torque converter. The torque converter is what puts the "slush" into "slushbox." Just because you can shift it manually does not mean its like a manual --it'll still boil the fluid with even mild track use.

Torque converters are great for drag racing but you do not want one on a road course.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 15, 2015

I know the internals on a conventional manual and an auto are different, but to me it simply comes down to if you HAVE to shift it and there isn't an auto mode then it's a manual, simple as that. Not even talking about the mechanics, just the simple fact that you have to shift it yourself which was and is the definition of a manual. Maybe I'm going towards what I personally would consider manual instead of real fact, but you hear people say if it's an auto or manual. What makes an automatic and auto? The fact that it shifts for you automatically. What make a manual and manual? The fact that you have to shift it yourself and there isn't a computer or anything else that decides when to shift.