Despite what people may think based on the prevailing conditions in the automotive industry today, there are still great cars that offer the option of having a manual transmission. Automatic is easy and convenient, but there's still something in that manual transmission that a driver can never get from an automatic one. The exhilaration, the speed control, and the sound of the engine revving are all so irresistible. There's also that added satisfaction of having a skill not everyone out there has. Manual transmissions are becoming one of those extinct creatures like the white rhino. But here are 10 great cars that still offer the endangered mechanism.
10 Subaru WRX
These WRX car's prices start at $27,195 and goes up to $41,395 for the WRX STI Limited model. Subaru is a Japanese automotive company that started manufacturing cars in the 1950s and were then known as Fuji Jidosha Kogyo, Co., Ltd. The first car they made was named Subaru 1500. Now, almost 70 years later, the company changed its name to Subaru and is distributing cars outside Asia and all over the world. The Subaru WRX is not the only Subaru car that offers a stick shift; a manual transmission is also available with the Subaru Impreza, Subaru BRZ, and the Subaru Crosstrek.
9 Chevrolet Corvette
William Durant and Louis Chevrolet started everything for the company now known as Chevrolet back in 1911. Through more than 100 years, Chevrolet made such iconic vehicles with names as common as Camaro, Impala, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado, and the Corvette. A decade in the automotive industry showed us innovation and technology, from steam power to automatic transmission to smart driving. But the Chevrolet Corvette is not yet ready to part with the manual transmission. The 2019 model of the Corvette still comes in a stick shift, which makes the iron beast more appealing than ever. Manual transmission is also available for the Camaro and Silverado, and their little siblings, the Sonic and Spark.
8 Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type-R was released initially in the Japanese market, that was 22 years ago. The Type-R is the sixth generation Honda Civic, and the R stands for Racing. Presently, the Type-R still does strong in the market, and is now available in other countries including the United States. It is now on its 10th generation Honda Civic Type-R. Honda still manufactures a lot of cars with a manual transmission. What better way to enjoy a racing car than to be able to control the speed yourself, right? Other popular Honda cars with manual transmission are Honda Fit and the Honda Civic Sedan.
7 Dodge Challenger
If someone told you that the company that made the Dodge Challenger first set out to make bicycles you’d tell that person they’re out of their minds. It is, in fact, true. The brothers named Horace and John started their company back in 1900 and called it The Dodge Brothers Company at first. And yes, they sold bicycles, sounds familiar with another duo who sold bicycles and were brothers, too, "Wright"?! The Dodge Challenger is one of the top muscle cars in the country and it still comes in manual transmission. If you're interested, we recommend the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
6 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Aside from the featured model in this item, Jeep still has a lot of cars made with manual transmission. The Jeep Compass and Wrangler are still manufactured with a stick shift. Most of us probably know the history of the Jeep vehicle, reliable vehicles that were used in the war. It evolved into a cross-country SUV and still remains one of the best brands in the industry. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is an award-winning vehicle. It won the SUV of the year award from Four Wheeler's and Motor Trend separately. This all-terrain vehicle comes in manual transmission for the rugged-type driver/adventurer.
5 BMW 2 SERIES / M2
German car brands are at in elite league of their own in the automotive industry. Names like Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen have led the universe of cars and vehicles for years and years, producing iconic cars, from the luxury models like the Maybach Exelero and Porsche 918 Spyder to the vintage Volkswagen Golf and Beetle. Another name thrown in the mix is BMW. Bayerische Motoren Werke started in 1913 and grew as one of the best companies to manufacture top quality cars. The BMW 2 Series M2 is one of these great cars and it still comes in manual transmission.
4 Jaguar F-type
Jaguar is a British-made car and it manufactures luxury cars like the Jaguar I-Pace, F-Pace, Jaguar XE, and of course the featured car here, the Jaguar F-type. This luxury car comes in two types, the coupe, and the convertible. The coupe type (2020 model) goes for a minimum $61,600 to $123,600 (SVR Coupe). The convertible type’s base price is $64,700 and goes up to $126,700. All these models have a manual transmission version, which is a rare thing for new car models and luxury cars. Let's get this rare car while they still make them, got $61k?
3 BMW Mini Cooper Hardtop
The Mini Cooper is the second of only two British-made cars in this list. This car was originally the property of the British Motor Corporation and passed on to several other entities until it was grabbed and held tight by BMW in the nineties. An amazing small car that packs more power than any other small car out there. It’s why it was chosen by Michael Caine and his gang in the classic film The Italian Job. The Mini Cooper Hardtop still comes in manual transmission and is priced at $21,900 (2-door) and $22,900 (4-door). The Mini Cooper Clubman and Countryman also has manual transmissions available.
2 Ford Mustang
We cannot have a conversation about muscle cars without putting the Ford Mustang near the top of the list, if not first and foremost. This car embodies the meaning of a muscle car, beefed up, handsome and rides ever strongly. Fortunately, it still comes with a manual transmission, the kind of transmission that muscles cars are born to be partnered with. Also, if it is a car that comes from Henry Ford's company, then it must be good. Ford is one of the oldest car companies in the world, and it is still standing today. The Mustang is a classic muscle car that's been produced since 1964.
1 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Long ago in ancient Asia, there was a being believed to be the god of intelligence, wisdom and harmony. This god's name is Ahura Mazda. Today, the name Mazda is one of the top car companies that came out of Japan. The company that produces great cars such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata built their first vehicle in 1930, and it wasn't a car, but a tricycle. Years later, Mazda expanded to the west and is now one of the most reliable car brands in the western automotive industry. The MX-5 Miata is one car from Mazda that still comes in manual transmission, making this little zoomer just that much more fun to drive.