[Samson]

Hi all,

Im looking at getting an XR6T in the next month or two (preferably manual) although i will also consider an auto. Can anyone who has an XR6T with an auto let me know if the trans is any good? When shifting in sports mode is there a delay before gears change or is it sudden?? Is it the same as just manually selecting gears in a standard auto???

Any advice would be great.

 

[XR6T4ME]

Hiya Samson,

I could not be more happier than I am with my XR6T Auto. I pondered for months before deciding the Auto over manual. I have always owned manual performance turbo cars. But this SSS box is great, it gives you the best of both worlds. You can be lazy if you wish or enjoy switching between gears manually. There is allways a slight delay with auto change but it is not that noticeable, quite sudden I feel. I felt the manual box was slower between gears (it is not one of the great manual boxes available).

You cannot compare the new Ford auto with others you may have tried. The 400m times in the XR6T prove that the auto is consistently quicker than the manual and that is in performance auto mode!

But do not judge it by what I or others tell you - you have to test drive both. As I was still not sure after driving both at one dealer, I went to 2 other dealers to get more road time to decide. They will not give you the car for a full day test unfortunately.

And remember when you tick your colour box it must be Blueprint !

Good luck.

 

[100%]

Get down to your local Ford dealer and drive one yourself dude, no one else's opinion matters! Only what you think. Personally I love it! Why push a clutch when you don't have to? If there is a delay, it's no slower than you putting your foot on the clutch to change gears that's for sure.

 

[RATT]

Either one has its advantages, and as 100% has said driving an auto T would be the best thing to do. My opinion? Manual is still the drivers choice but the auto will surprise you with the amount of involvement it gives you.

Good luck either way.

 

[JamesA]

The dealer I've spoken to (and bought my XR6) said that most turbo's (80%)are sold with auto's. He also said that the auto is a stronger box than the manual for the XR6 series. Apparently they can be abused quite harshly and still live on quite happily.

I'll find out when I get mine next month ! :wnc:

 

[CDAA]

XR6T & SSS Auto = Marriage made in heaven
(that's coming from a manual driver as well!)

 

[SteveS]

I've had my XR6T auto since Apr 03. My only criticisms of the auto box are (1) it should have five ratios - four isn't enough and results in a bigger gap than is ideal between each gear (my Magna Sports had a really good five speed 'Tiptronic' auto - much better than the Ford) and (2) it is impossible to heel and toe when changing down; this means that you may have to deal with a sudden and very substantial increase in engine braking when hauling the car down into a corner, as the 'box goes down a gear. This happens when chaging 'manually', too. It is therefore vital to get all your braking and gear changing out of the way before turning into a corner, particularly on bumpy roads (which is every road in the vicinity of Canberra). Having said all this, I hear that the manual 'box is very slow, so Yer pays yer money, etc. Otherwise, apart from the brake shudder (fixed twice and now buggered again), the car's a star. If you order one, PLEASE PLEASE give the sales people a hard time over the brake shudder issue before going ahead. Every bit helps.

 

[XRchic]

I test drove both auto and manual turb, as well as manual XR8 and own manual XR6 non turb (trading to turb). I hated the auto with a passion. Only manual for me. I spoke to my unichip guys, and they reckon the Phase II and over are coming back with busted AUTOs and the manuals are fine - so far. The dudes above are right tho, you gotta drive them yourself - each to his or her own! But I love my manual and it gives a bit extra street cred, really. My Dad who loves autos, hated the auto turb too.

Re the brake shudder, is that warped rotors? It was a big problem on the production line with the BAs (although not limited to Ford). Apparently they have fixed the problem, but if your rotors are still warped, get a brake specialist to fix it - apparently it is all in the installation - that and hot brakes cooling too quickly. If yours are warped, Ford should replace 'em under warranty.

Cheers

XR chic