For the manual transmission, I would buy the previous version of Mustang (2015-2017) to avoid the manual transmission issues they have with newer model years. For the engines, stay away from all the ecoboost engines. 

*Puts on reading glasses, lights the fireplace, settles into the recliner and sighs* Ok guys, gather 'round while I tell you the story of a company called Ford and where they went wrong on their manual transmission cars.

The year was 2010. Mustang owners had been happy with their manual transmissions for YEARS. Tremec had been providing high quality, durable transmissions in all models. The Terminator Cobras even got the super reliable T-56 transmission straight from the Dodge Viper, believe it or not.

However, dark clouds were on the horizon. Someone at Ford, likely an accountant, decided hey, you know what we need to do? We need to get MORE PROFIT out of our manual transmission cars. So let's outsource our transmissions to C-H-I-N-A. Should go well. And thus, the epicly, legendarily, undoubtedly, unspeakably bad MT-82 manual transmission was birthed. And, friends, it almost killed the manual Pony car entirely. Ford, of course, was told there were issues. However, in true blue fashion, they did what they did with the Focus and Fiesta transmission disasters: "Meh. But I need this money for my third vacation home. Just send it!"

Almost immediately, reports flooded in about gears grinding, lockout issues, owners generally very upset with the design. Dealerships were flooded with angry customers demanding to know what was wrong. And all they ever got told was, "Uh....they all do that. It's normal." Soon, forums were getting loaded with horror stories and people suggesting snake oil fixes. "Oh, I used this oil and it fixed it", "Try this fluid", "Try driving it easier". But nothing truly fixed the problem. It was a stupid, stupid design and the woes continued. Lawsuits were threatened, cars were lemon-lawed, yet Ford continued to crank them out.

At some point, there was a meeting again at Ford. Executives got together. See, they had no problem showing over Mustang GT customers. Most were young guys and girls without a lawyer or the funds to really be a threat. BUT.....there was an issue. The well-heeled folks purchasing the GT500 cars were different. They were older and could afford lawyers. So, a new and different transmission was used ONLY in the Shelby units. And to this day, the Shelby GT350 is the only manual transmission Mustang using a non-MT-82 transmission.

Ford claims to have made improvements over the years. "Oh, uh, we strengthened the synchros", "It's all good now"...this coming from the same folks who denied there was an issue in the first place.

I have felt first hand the wrath of this POS transmission. I purchased a 2012 Boss 302. Supposedly, the Boss got a "beefed up" version of the transmission. But I had failures running through gears immediately. I did all the fix suggestions, even tried to come up with something in house. However, it was useless. The thing was a pile of crap and refused to be anything else.

And that, kiddos, is the story of the worst transmission Ford ever made/had made. I would not.recommend one to my worst enemy. You WILL have problems, whether it is a 2011 (first year) or brand new car. You have been warned my friends. Spread the word.

TL;DR = The MT-82 is the biggest joke that nobody laughed at. Avoid at all cost.