There’s no replacement for a manual transmission, and we doubt one will ever come about.
There’s a reason it’s the hill that automotive purists everywhere are willing to die on, there just isn’t anything like the feeling of driving stick shift cars. Even as transmission technology evolves, and many automatic counterparts shift faster and even offer options and driving modes to allow us to do much of what was only able to be done on a manual, the best manual transmission cars continue to shine among enthusiasts even when they might not perform as well, for the simple reason that they are so authentic to being drivers’ cars.
As time goes on and the industry continues to move away from manual transmissions, manual transmission cars for sale are going to be hard to find new. If you’re looking for the best manuals, your best bet will definitely be used manual transmission cars. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, and you don’t quite know where to start, we’ve come in clutch (pun intended) and put together our favorites, so you can start your search with what we think are the best manual transmission cars.
1994 Porsche 911 Speedster
2025 BMW M3
2004 Porsche 911 GT3
2011 BMW 1 Series M
1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
2005 Lamborghini Gallardo
1985 Ferrari 308 GTSi
2023 Porsche 911 GT3
2023 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
2004 Ferrari 360 Spider
What are the advantages of driving manual transmission cars?
For many drivers, feeling in control, more engaged, and simply doing things the old-fashioned way make driving stick shift worth it. However, other advantages include the fact that you can choose when you shift up or down, for example coming in and out of corners, and in some cases, like that of the current-generation Porsche 911 GT3, the fact that the manual transmission version boasts a slightly higher top speed.
What are the disadvantages of driving manual transmission cars?
Many manual transmission drivers will tell you that the biggest disadvantage to manual transmissions comes when you’re stuck in traffic, constantly having to go in and out of gear as you inch forward through a jam. However, who likes traffic anyway? Other disadvantages are the obvious learning curve for new stick shift drivers, reduced access to some of the latest automotive safety systems, and in plenty of cases, slower acceleration. Drivers simply can’t shift themselves as fast as the latest automatic transmissions from many performance car manufacturers, but many drivers still prefer the old-school feeling.
Can you still buy a manual transmission car?
Of course! Manual transmission cars are certainly an endangered species and have been for some time, but there are still plenty of manual transmission cars for sale available on the market, both new and used. If you’re looking for a brand-new sports car, look to models like the Porsche 911 or 718, many of whose variants still offer a manual transmission. A peek at the secondhand market, especially on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985, will show you a whole world of the manual transmission supercars of the past, for example, the Audi R8, Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, and more are still available, although not the easiest to find.
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