Since the advent of automatic transmissions, the abundance of manual transmissions has drastically decreased. While automatic transmissions are certainly more convenient, driving a manual transmission, or a stick shift, is a unique experience that every driver should have. A car with a stick shift involves the usual gearbox in the center of the car but has one minor change.
Cars with manual transmissions involve an extra pedal known as a clutch to disengage the gears and allow you to change gears. A 5-speed transmission is typically used in a stick shift, with a sixth speed being used for reverse. With that being said, here are 10 iconic stick shifts you have to experience.
10 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been around since 1989 and still thrives 30 years later. For the past three decades, the Miata has gained a reputation for being a trustworthy and reliable stick shift car and has been known for its easy-to-use gearbox. The Miata is run with a 5-speed transmission and the shifter moves with a small flick of the wrist.
Also, the second generation of the Miata includes a 6-speed transmission but remains optional to this day, as the 5-speed transmission remains the default option. The 2019 Miata puts out 151 hp and remains one of the best manual transmissions on the market.
9 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is a rarity on numerous levels. For starters, yes, it is a manual transmission. Secondly, it is a reasonably-priced sports car. The BRZ retails for about $26,000 and offers an unparalleled driving experience.
The BRZ comes with rear-wheel-drive and packs a punch with a four-cylinder engine that powers up to 7,000 rpm. The BRZ gets up to 33-miles per gallon on the highway and can put out 250 hp. The BRZ also boasts a low curb weight at only 2,789 pounds, and its low center of gravity allows a driver to maintain control while achieving higher speeds.
8 Chevrolet Corvette Zo6
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American car and is often described as "one of the most powerful cars in production." The Corvette Zo6 is a variation on the classic sports car but is available as a manual transmission or a paddle-shift automatic transmission.
The Zo6 can go from 0 to 60 in an incredible 2.9 seconds and is powered by an aluminum 6.2L V6 engine that puts out a supercharged 650 hp. In addition to its unique design and unexpected performance, the Corvette Zo6 continues to surprise, as it rids itself of the gearbox and has manual paddle-shift levers on either side of the steering wheel.
7 Porsche 911 GT3
Next, we have the Porsche 911 GT3. The GT3 is a variation on the company's widely-received Porsche 911, intended for the racetrack and high performance. The GT3 also differs from the typical 911 as it veers from the 911's seven-speed transmission but uses a six-speed transmission.
The GT3 can go from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 197 miles per hour on the tracks. Since Porsche is one of the few high-performance sports car makers who offer a manual transmission on their vehicles, the Porsche 911 GT3 is certainly of a rare and unique breed.
6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Here we have another variation on the classic Chevy Corvette, the Corvette ZR1. The ZR1 is another high-performance supercar which has a supercharged 6.2 L V8 engine and can put out a top speed of 212-miles per hour.
The ZR1 starts at around $123,000 and is a tad more powerful than its counterpart, the Zo6, as it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a mere 2.8 seconds. The ZR1, due to its incredible specs, has gained a reputation for being a high-performing race car and has also gained accolades such as winning the 2019 Road and Track Performance Car of the Year award.
5 Jaguar F-Type
Next up is the Jaguar F-Type. The F-Type is a run-of-the-mill coupe that puts has incredible performance and has a stick shift that must be experienced. In addition to being available as a coupe, a convertible option is also available. The F-Type retails for around $69,875 and was released in 2013.
When released, the F-Type was deemed to be one of the sexiest Jaguars invented in decades and came as a manual transmission. The F-Type is run by a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine but comes with a V6 or V8 options as well. This baby can put out anywhere from 296 to 575-horsepower and has a mileage of 30 miles to each gallon on the highway.
4 Ford Mustang GT
The Ford Mustang is one of the best-known American cars of all times. According to numerous sources, the Mustang is the most popular muscle car of all time and has beat out its competitors such as the Camaro and the Challenger year after year.
The Mustang GT is a variation of the original model, which came with a manual transmission versus an automatic one. Ford works hard year after year to ensure its manual transmission is constantly improving. The GT retails for about $26,395 and gets a respectable 32 miles per gallon on the highway. The GT is available in a four-cylinder or a V8 option.
3 Volkswagen Golf R
The Volkswagen company is associated with some of the best cars in the world. Volkswagen AG owns Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche, and has gained a reputation for having finely crafted automobiles that perform well and last long.
One of these finely crafted cars is the Volkswagen Golf R, which retails for an inexpensive price, comes with a manual transmission and offers incredible performance. The Golf R retails for a base price of $41,290 and can put out up to 292 hp with its 2.0 L four-cylinder engine. The Golf R as widely been stated to share many of its parts with the Audi S3, with the difference of it being offered as a stick shift.
2 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Following the Golf R, we have the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. This Jeep is an incredible all-wheel-drive vehicle that is perfect for rolling over boulders and driving up mountains, but doing so can be challenging with a manual transmission. Driving the Wrangler Rubicon is certainly not for the inexperienced and is one of the very few 4x4 vehicles with a manual transmission.
The Rubicon retails for $36,665 and is equipped with a brand new D478 gearbox six-speed that enables the new Wrangler to slowly throttle forth on low-speed trails. The Rubicon is an excellent vehicle for somebody who loves adventure and is looking for an added challenge.
1 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport
Finally, we have the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport. This pickup is a new truck that offers a six-speed manual transmission and retails for $32,545. The Tacoma TRD Sport can put out around 278 hp and can tow anywhere from 6,400 to 6,800 pounds.
Besides the towing load, the TRD Sport can also carry a payload of up to 1,540 pounds. The Tacoma TRD can perform as well as it can on the road as it can off-road, and when driving on the highway, not only do drivers get 24 miles to the gallon, but their safety is ensured with Toyota's brand new Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P) technology.