4 speed vs. Auto

[COKE]

I bought my car on this forum 3 years ago.
i paid $18000 fo it.It is a R/T original 4 speed  non AC car and it had manual steering (Now it has power)
Original 4 speed also means a Dana 60 rear end.

I bought it just because it was manual.I,m pretty sure that i could get a better shape automatic car with ac and power steering  for that price,but i only find this with a 4 speed tranny.
I really don,t know if i paid too much for it.

For example,the people around here don,t want their  american calssic cars with 4 speed.
They only want to win the 1/4 mile so an old 4 speed tranny with those level shift travels ,are not in their minds.
They think that i,m mad ,but i want a car for drive not for the track,and the 4 speed is funny for me.

[hemi-hampton]

That NADA Bluebook sez add 10% for 4 speed, It also sez add 10% for A/C. SO, I guess that makes my Automatic A/C car equal to a 4speed non A/C car LEON.

[F8-4life]

Sorry to dredge up an oldie, but I find this thread very interesting. My buddy drives a 5 speed and we got to talking about driving stick. He knows Im after a charger and I told him I knew of a original '68 charger 383 4 speed project that runs. We were discussing what the 4 speed factor was worth in regards to a running 2nd gen charger project. Being both young and broke... we concluded maybe 1,500 or so. Of course after reading this thread I see it is much more. Especailly for being a factory stick car. Not much point to this post other then maybe I realized that I am lucky to know of a 68 4 speed and secondly I should probably try to buy the beast... haha.

[OldGuy]

Sorry to dredge up an oldie, but I find this thread very interesting. My buddy drives a 5 speed and we got to talking about driving stick. He knows Im after a charger and I told him I knew of a original '68 charger 383 4 speed project that runs. We were discussing what the 4 speed factor was worth in regards to a running 2nd gen charger project. Being both young and broke... we concluded maybe 1,500 or so. Of course after reading this thread I see it is much more. Especailly for being a factory stick car. Not much point to this post other then maybe I realized that I am lucky to know of a 68 4 speed and secondly I should probably try to buy the beast... haha.

If it has a 4 bbl, it will probably cost you even more due to the rarity - only 259 made in that configuration.

[Chryco Psycho]

the parts to convert alone are $3500 or so , with used parts , more for new .
For me there is no option , I simply never learned to drive an Auto so yes I pay more to get a manual !!

[Ghoste]

You need to at least inquire and see what the price of the car eally is F8.

[F8-4life]

It is my buddys car he had since '86. Original b5 with white top, 383 4bl 4 speed. Now has a 440, primered with a dmcl strip on the sides. Runs but has rust. Car has had a hard life, but I figure anything under 6k should be considered a gift between friends. He hinted that he already had another 4 speed car-meaning he might let the 68 go...) Some of you guys might laugh but even if the car is worth 12k, that still doesnt make 6k an easy swing for a 23 year old hahaha. Patiance is important in this mopar game I figure.

[hatersaurusrex]

Even though most of the guys on here probably are gonna say 4-speed, I prefer the good old 727.  Then again, my car will be built as a driver for crusing when the weather is good or general farting around, so I think it depends what you're building the car FOR as to what the answer is.  I would have (and did) pass on a 4-speed all things considered.   I need one hand free to wave at the girls anyway

[Cooter]

Stick shift will ALWAYS put more of the power to the wheels. Now, Whether or not you can get the wheels to the ground, then that's another story/thread.

[Ghoste]

Yes, the four speed will put more power to the ground but it isn't necessarily quicker.  We all think we can shift like Ronnie Sox but very few of us can actually select the next gear quicker than an automatic.  But the four speed is still more fun.

[johnnyseville]

NADA lists 10% premium for 4 speed.  My Hemi has a four speed and I like it, but with manual steering and traffic in NYC it is exhausting to drive, so I opted for an automatic and power steering on my Daytona, so I can cruise and relax.  I take out whichever I am in the mood for at the time.  Both have their pluses and minuses.

[AKcharger]

Well since my last post I did the 4 speed conversion on my '70. Hands down the best thing I've ever did for my car. One thing I'd suggest is if you pay the extra $$$ for a 4 speed car check it out well, especially the clutch/trans as most all have been BEAT! It's just some kind or primordial instinct to beat on a 4 speed car...I found that out


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,95764.0.html

[Cooter]

What I find funny, is back in the day when these were new, the AUTO cars were the higher optioned out, more expensive rides...The 4-speed cars were manual trans, plain jane, turds. Now, it seems it's the other way round.

[69 OUR/TEA]

Everybodys different,I cared more about the color then the tranny,and my own personal preference is an auto.This is just me,sure a stick is fun to drive wether it be an old muscle car or a modern one,but it got old quick for me ,so I'd rather get into a car,stick it in drive and go.
The most important to me was finding a real 3x9 R/T ,if there were a 4speed any other color or the 3x9 auto,still would have taken the 3x9 with an auto over a stick,so to me a 4 speed car means NO additional value.
I had a 04 Mustang GT,and an 09 Challenger R/T,both sticks,got rid of them both,Mustang to go for needing a new truck,Chally because I didn't use it much.If I had gotten an auto Chally,would have kept it as my wife doesn't drive stick,and would have let her use it.
Brought the 09 chally to the track,the stick cars did and still do have nasty wheel hop.The autos don't and get better 60' times,and are quicker than the stick Challys in this case.
I will say it def looks cooler looking into an old musclecar and seeing a pistol grip sticking up out of the floor,but not worth the huge premium over an auto to me.