The way people used to drive cars is gradually changing and the starkest difference that is being noticed is the gradual decline of the manual transmission cars. The manual transmission, a slowly diminishing car variant, was generally loved for the greater fuel economy, durability, low up-front cost, and immersive driving experience that it offered. However, with the shifts in the tastes and preferences of the modern driver, auto-manufacturers are slowly offering less and less manual transmission options in the cars they release.
While purists of driving would always prefer owning a manual car as compared to an automatic one, chances are that soon, they would not be left with an option to purchase the car they desire. With that being said, it is high time that car enthusiasts bag certain cars before manual transmission becomes obsolete in them. These cars have performed brilliantly with manual transmission and should be grabbed at the earliest opportunity.
10 Nissan Frontier
Powered by a V6 engine, the Nissan Frontier was amongst the few pickup trucks remaining in the market that offered manual transmission to its drivers. A car that was known for its economical price, durable interiors, off-road capabilities, towing capacity, and above all, the rare shift-stick is amongst the latest entries into the group of cars that will no longer feature a manual transmission.
Nissan announced that in their 2020 model the manual shift will be completely disregarded, as they shift to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Therefore, it is wise to get hands, on the remaining manual units available in the market as a manual Nissan Frontier has become a thing of the past.
9 Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster is one of those few cars that are beloved to elite drives and has had a substantial following since its release. However, this car which previously used to offer a manual transmission, in a bid to make its future variants more approachable to consumers has announced that they would soon be shifting to an 8-speed, automatic transmission with dual-clutch.
Famous for the unique design in the hatchback segment, the manual transmission in the car allowed the drivers to take the driving dynamics higher by a notch. However, with the latest revelation from the South Korean auto-makers, it is evident that this reality is in the past now and manual transmission enthusiasts need to get their hands on the shift-stick versions of the Hyundai Veloster before they become obsolete in the market.
8 Corvette Z06
Nothing relays the shocking change in user preferences from a manual transmission to an automatic transmission than the Corvette Z06. It clinically relays the message that modern drivers do not want to be involved in the driving experience as long as the car is capable of doing the same for them.
The Z06 was originally offered with only manual transmission being the primary configuration until Corvette decided to launch an automatic variant in 2015. As soon as it was released, people simply forgot the manual variants and flocked to buy the automatic cars.
Since the introduction of the automatic version of the Z06, the total take-rate of the Corvette Z06 with respect to the manual versions has only been a meager 15%. Therefore, it would be wise to buy these manual sports cars while they are available in the market because chances are that they would soon not be.
7 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a staple name when it comes to off-roading pickup trucks and it is a source of constant debate within enthusiastic drivers. The reason for the debate remains whether the automatic version of the Wrangler is better, or does that title belong to the manual transmission models.
Fortunately, the latest models offer both the options that are available in the market in a number of different variants, including hard-tops, soft-tops, two-door and four-door models. However, given the changing dynamics of modern cars, it would not be wrong to say that the manual Jeep Wrangler too might disappear and therefore needs to be bought while it is available.
6 BMW M3
Powered by a 2979 cc engine, the BMW M3 Sedan is a beloved car that has remained popular with consumers since the launch of the series back in 1986. However, a lot has changed when it comes to the car itself since its initial launch, with the transmission mode being one of them.
While the M3 was initially launched with a manual transmission, all recent models only come with automatic transmission. With BMW further announcing that they are going to drop the idea of investing in shift-sticks especially in the Series 2 cars to invest in the R&D of electric cars, it is quite likely that the M series cars, including the M3, will receive a similar treatment.
5 BMW M4
A series of convertible and coupé models released by BMW, the BMW M4 is a prestigious series from the German auto-makers and continues to attract a lot of consumers owing to the high-end specs they offer. However, one thing that elitists might miss while purchasing a recent BMW M4 Coupé is the availability of a manual transmission.
With most of the cars released by BMW having shifted to an automatic transmission, very few M4s remain in the market that still have the glorious manual transmission. These manual variants are the ones that should be grabbed as soon as possible because soon they would cease to exist.
4 Porsche Boxster 718
One of the few sports cars available in the 2020 market that offers a manual transmission is the 718 Porsche Boxster. Available in six-speed manual, the Boxster 718, sports a 300 hp, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that is capable of providing the driver with a driving experience of his/her dreams.
The manual transmission on the models only heightens this experience, allowing the driver to wring out every last bit of power that the engine has to offer. Therefore, it is high time that this beauty of a car needs to be bought, while it still offers drivers with manual transmission.
3 Kia Forte
Kia Forte allows drivers to choose six-speed manual transmission in two of the models that they have released in 2020. The first model that buyers can select is the most basic model that sports a 147 hp engine, as well as, on the Forte GT, which is powered by a 201 hp engine.
With other additional features like a driver-drowsiness monitor, lane maintaining assist, and automatic emergency brakes, they are one of the most utilitarian manual transmission cars that are available in the market at the moment.
2 Hyundai Elantra GT N Line
The sedan version of the Hyundai Elantra saw its demise with the close of 2019, and the only cars that still have a manual transmission available in them are the Elantra GT N Line. Powered by a four-cylinder turbo engine that is capable of creating 201 horsepower, the Elantra GT N Line comes with a six-speed manual transmission option.
Given the fate that the sedan variants of the Elantra suffered, it would not be wrong to assume the same happening to these hatchbacks and therefore, should be bought while Hyundai still offers them with a manual transmission.
1 Porsche Cayman 718
The Porsche Cayman 718 is practically the Boxster 718 with a roof. Having almost all the same specifications as the Boxster 718, the Cayman 718 is a car that provides incredible performance coupled with similarly exceptional handling.
Irrespective of the engine option the driver buys, the Cayman 718 provides buyers the chance of choosing a six-speed to go with it. Decked with high-quality interiors, the Cayman 718 is a highly refined manual sports car that is sure to impress any driver.