10 Best Manual Transmission Cars To Buy In 2024

Although vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions are increasingly popular, manual transmission cars always give an enjoyable feeling behind the wheel to drivers because they can provide quick acceleration. The list below will be shared with the best manual transmission cars to buy in 2024!

10 Best Manual Transmission Cars You Can Buy In 2024

With the availability of other types of transmission like CVT, automatic, or EV, manual transmissions are on the verge of extinction. However, many car enthusiasts still favor a stick shift and clutch so many transmissions may continue to be produced in niche markets in the future. Let’s find out what are the best 2024 manual transmission cars in this part below: 

1. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R

Shelby GT350R is one of the typical muscle cars, which is also the reason why the Mustang must always have a manual version if it does not want to be boycotted by “hardcore fans”. However, the recent Shelby GT500 uses a dual-clutch transmission, causing the Mustang’s manual transmission line to only range from the GT350R down. This is not serious when the Shelby GT350R itself has a maximum capacity of 526 horsepower from the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine typical of high-performance Mustangs. The GT350 was the first naturally aspirated production Mustang to produce over 100 horsepower per liter.
Besides being equipped with a manual transmission, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R was the first mass-produced car equipped with carbon fiber wheels. This special set of wheels is manufactured at the Carbon Revolution Australian factory.

2. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Recently, Mazda has just launched an upgrade for this small sports car model, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection technology as standard equipment. Regarding the engine and drive system, the car still uses a four-cylinder SkyActiv-G engine, 2.0-liter capacity with a capacity of 181 horsepower and a maximum torque of 204 Nm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel through a 6-speed manual transmission, with a weight of only 1,134 kg and a perfect 50/50 distribution ratio, the MX-5 will still bring the inherent special feeling that only compact sports cars have.

Benefiting from the best that Mazda’s Technology and Engineering team has to offer, the MX-5 Roadster Coupe is even better than the soft-top series because the metal roof improves chassis stiffness and increases performance. aerodynamic efficiency. But it only has one small drawback compared to the traditional soft-top Miata, which is an additional weight of about 10 kg.

The good news is that you don’t have to cost too much to buy this car: the MX-5 has a starting price of $28000 for a base Sport trim. And if you have a limited budget, you can buy a used MX-5. 

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3. Subaru BRZ

Subaru recently officially “unveiled” the second generation of the BRZ sports car. In the new generation, this small sports car has improved chassis and new engines to pursue the goal of providing the high-performance experience of the previous generation. 

Under the front bonnet, the second generation Subaru BRZ is equipped with a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine that can reach a maximum speed of 7,000 rpm. This engine is capable of generating a maximum power of 228 horsepower and a torque of 249 Nm, 15% higher than the previous generation. The automaker says using a boxer engine will help create a lower center of gravity, providing a better driving experience.

Power will be transmitted to the wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission, with integrated Sport mode. This mode allows faster downshifts, along with throttle control as well as maintaining low gears in sharp turns to optimize vehicle performance.

On this model, Subaru retains its philosophy of designing lightweight sports cars, with a low center of gravity with precise handling and steering, all packed into a small 2+2 car. compact. The vehicle’s weight is at the lowest level in the 2+2 sports car segment in the US market, reaching only 1,315 kg. This is partly due to the use of an aluminum hood, front bumper, and hood. Along with that, the vehicle’s chassis system is also reinforced to achieve 50% higher torsional rigidity than before, thanks to new connectors, subframe platforms, and connection points. 

4. Honda Civic Type R

In the 6th generation (2023), the Honda Civic Type R has become the most powerful R model the Japanese brand has ever opened for mass sale while retaining one of the most anticipated equipment, the manual transmission. The high-performance version of the Civic is equipped with a 2.0 turbocharged engine with 315 horsepower and a 6-speed manual transmission.

Continuing Honda’s great successful formula with the latest generation Civic Type R, this new CTR is stylistically mature but no less fast. In addition to the 6-speed transmission,  the 315bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is the most powerful engine ever sold under the Honda brand but it’s the chassis control, braking, and ability to convert power into efficiency that’s the performance that impresses here.

In the US, up to 13.6% of Civic buyers choose a manual transmission, and the high-performance Type R model contributes significantly to being sold only with this type of transmission. The high-performance Type R version will also only be available on the hatchback variant, along with a 2.0-liter engine, and a maximum capacity of 306 horsepower.

5. Ford Fiesta

No need to buy the ST version, regular manual Ford Fiestas are enough to get you excited. Besides, they are also designed to help you comfortably use them every day, not too uncomfortable like Renaultsport’s Megane. In addition to the Fiesta, if you like a high-riding car that uses a similar transmission, Ford will bring you the Puma, and it also has an ST version if you want it.

Overall, the appearance of the Ford Fiesta Sedan is quite eye-catching, youthful, flexible, has good performance, and easily maneuvers through small alleys and curves. Specifically, this Sedan version has the following advantages:

• Fashionable and modern car front design.
• Convenient automatic rain sensor.
• Youthful interior design, and many convenient features such as USB connection, and Bluetooth voice control.
• The quality of the speaker system is good and the sound is quite good.

6. Toyota GR Supra

Toyota GR 2023 was launched to satisfy “speed enthusiasts” with the new 6-speed transmission. In this updated version, the Toyota brand announced that it will sell a variant equipped with a new six-speed manual transmission, thereby helping to give speed enthusiasts a sports car that they have always wanted for a long time. The new six-speed manual transmission is designed specifically for the car’s turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a total output of 382 horsepower and 497 Nm of torque. A modern chassis and a powerful engine powering only the rear wheels which is the same formula found in one of the GR Supra predecessors. 

7. Porsche Cayman GT4

With Porsche, they still equip a manual transmission as an inexpensive option for their two-door sports cars, the 718 and 911. In the Cayman GT4, this high-performance car model uses a gearbox. 6-speed with shorter gear ratios, thereby improving the vehicle’s acceleration. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is equipped with a 6-cylinder, 4.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine. This engine produces 414 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. This sports car is capable of accelerating from 0 – 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of up to 304 km/h.

The Cayman GT4 as well as the Boxster Spyder convertible variant, are both equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, with no PDK or other automatic transmission options.

Focusing on improving power, Porsche also did not forget to upgrade the engine with active cylinder control technology that allows temporary cylinder shutdown to reduce fuel consumption when combined with advanced electronic injectors and customizable cylinders. 

8. Toyota GR Yaris

The GR Yaris is a special variant of the Yaris model, created with technology brought from the Yaris using an AWD drive system used for rally racing. The car uses a three-cylinder, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, generating 257 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. This power is transmitted to the wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. With a weight of only 1,280 kg, this car can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds, with a maximum speed of 230 km/h. Thanks to the manual transmission, the car offers a much better driving experience than the standard model.

Compared to other competitors, Yaris has a big advantage in the segment not only because of its greater power but also because it possesses an AWD four-wheel drive system while its competitors are only equipped with front-wheel drive. To be able to give this drive system to the GR Yaris, Toyota engineers combined the front part of the GA-B platform of the new generation Yaris with the rear part of the previous GA-C platform, allowing the car to operate. 

Available with AWD four-wheel drive system. In addition, this high-performance version also receives an upgrade in the suspension system with the appearance of double wishbones, front braces, and rear torsion beams. The braking system has also been upgraded with 356 mm brake discs combined with 4-piston brake calipers on the front wheels and 297 mm discs and 2-piston brake calipers on the rear wheels.

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9. Ferrari F430

The previous generation Ferraris certainly looked great with their wood and leather interiors, but the F430 still holds its own. The car gets many plus points thanks to its high-quality transmission. As one of the last products from the manufacturer to use a manual transmission, the F430 offers a great choice for even sports car fans. In particular, the design of the aluminum gear lever combined with the surrounding leather border of the car always attracts the attention of drivers.

The “heart” that the Ferrari F430  uses is a naturally aspirated V8 engine with a capacity of 4.3 liters, producing a maximum capacity of 483 horsepower. The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and has a maximum speed of 310 km/h. Extremely impressive numbers for a supercar produced in the early 2000s.

According to information from Ferrari, only about 10% of F430s sold are manual transmissions, so now the price of this version is one and a half to double the lowest price of 100,000 USD for the automatic version. 

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10. Chevrolet Camaro 1LE

Like its rival Ford Mustang, Chevrolet and the Camaro are still some of America’s iconic muscle cars and are also the last muscle cars to have a manual transmission. With Camar 1LE (except ZL1 1LE), the car will only be sold with a manual transmission instead of a 10-speed automatic transmission like other versions.

Under the hood of the 2019 Camaro 1LE is still the familiar 6.2L V8 turbocharged gasoline engine, capable of producing 650 horsepower and a maximum torque of 880 Nm. The car’s engine compartment also has a new oil pan and transmission cooler installed. On the outside, the vehicle’s appearance is designed to optimize aerodynamics. 

The 1LE equipment package gives the car a pair of front wind deflectors, a carbon fiber tail spoiler, thinner rear glass, and lightweight aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R sports tires. This series of updates makes the 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE about 22 kg lighter than the base ZL1. However, the front of the car is the same as the old car without the facelift upgrade.

We hope that you will choose the best cars for manual transmission for 2024 after reading this list!