The best cars you can still get with a manual transmission – The Morning Sun

By KRISTIN SHAW

Much like film cameras losing out to digital ones, the disappearance of the manual transmission from cars seems inevitable. Modern automatic transmissions are better for quick and efficient shifting and, as such, automakers have largely switched to them entirely for their vehicles. The vast majority of electric vehicles don’t have geared transmissions at all. Even well-known driver’s cars, such as the Chevrolet Corvette, no longer offer one.

But fear not, fans of the three-pedal setup: There are still a few new vehicles on the market that allow you to choose your own gears.

By picking a vehicle with a manual, you’re likely losing out on both acceleration and fuel economy. But what you give up makes you back in driver engagement and fun. Edmunds car experts detail their favorite cars, trucks and SUVs that you can get with an old-fashioned stick. We’ve listed them in order by price. All pricing includes destination fees.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

The beloved compact convertible has been going strong since 1989 for good reason. It’s fun and zippy, and the manual transmission is delightful to use. The Miata is rear-wheel-drive and comes with a 181-horsepower four-cylinder engine connected to either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. Dropping the top to cruise while rowing your own gears is a quintessential driving experience.

2024 starting price: $30,170

Subaru BRZ

Just about every Subaru these days is an all-wheel-drive SUV, but not the Subaru BRZ. This is the company’s low-slung rear-wheel-drive sport coupe. Co-developed with Toyota and a sibling to the Toyota GR86, the BRZ has the classic sports car attributes of light weight, rear-wheel drive and affordable-for-the-masses pricing. You can get the 228-horsepower four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.

Starting price: $31,315

Jeep Wrangler

Jeep remains true to its roots in 2024 while improving the quality and performance of this ageless four-wheel-drive vehicle. Of the Wrangler’s four engine options, only the 285-horsepower V6 can be matched to a six-speed manual. Otherwise, you get an eight-speed automatic transmission. Notably, Jeep also offers a manual transmission for the V6-equipped Gladiator midsize truck, which is pretty much a Wrangler with an open cargo bed.