The best place to investigate the issues, if any, is
StangsUnleashed / Team Shelby
its a great resource and pretty much where most of the information on these cars can be found. I don't know anything about a tranny issue and have friends that have early, mid and late 05's and mine is an 08. They are saying the 09's are coming. THe only issue that I wish I had thought about with the shaker 500 when I ordered mine is if I had gotten the basic non 6 disc radio I wouldn't have that black little satellite antenna on my trunk.
And like you I mostly listen to talk radio..but in this car I find myself on older rock and 60's music
Matt