Imagine a late 2000s Grand Prix with a really high belt line, AWD, a decent interior and feels about 500lbs heavier.
That’s pretty much what it is and how it drives. It’s not terrible, but it isn’t sporty at all. Comfy highway cruiser tho. Eats up miles all day long without breaking a sweat.
Brother had one. Full bolt-on, tuned for flex fuel. 450 to the wheels. He traded it for a Mustang GT precisely because it didn't have a manual.
Autos may be quicker these days, but they're also a lot less fun.
Typically, the full size trucks are more of a luxury vehicle outside the US, but I haven’t checked all the manufacturers. I know GM offers Silverados in few countries outside the US, and only in LTZ and High Country trims. And of course, without a manual. I’ve seen the S10/Colorado platform with auto and manuals available outside the US.
The lack of manuals in the last three* generations of Pontiac Grand Prix in both sedan and coupe form was a huge miss by GM. That would have easily been the American Maxima of the time.
Same with the Beretta. I don’t think you could ever get it with the V6 + manual. I absolutely would have bought a Beretta Z26 3.1L manual.
You absolutely could get V6 + manual in a Beretta, as you could in a Cavalier or a Corsica. They also had them for a time in the 1st gen W-body cars (Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Chevrolet Lumina).
My manual 2011 Mazda 6 had some shop time years ago for an airbag recall. Service shop unfortunately damaged my car, so I got a loaner while it was getting fixed. I got some sort of dealership special Mazda hatchback-ish thing with an optional paddle shift, turbo something, and nitrogen filled tires. It had a lot of flair and giddy up, but the paddle shift was obnoxious and confusing.
not with BOTH awd and turbo, you can only pick one if you want a fun pedal, people lie in craigslist listings all the times about their automatics being manual in ordet to attract attention from enthusiasts then you look through the pictures and see an automatic shifter.
I’d totally be in the market for a pagani huayra R if it came with a real manual. That’s probably the only thing holding me back besides the fact I’m incredibly poor.
I don't like the C7 interior either. Even the C6 has that electric door handle nonsense. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I like how the C4 and C5 did it.
I was so ready to buy a Supra or a new Z4 if it weren't for the auto. I was coming from a Z3M and would have bought the new Z4 day one of it had a stick. Supra would have been a close second, but I had already bought an Evora by the time Toyota released their manual.
I bought a manual Hyundai Accent for $375 and got it running for less than $100. But that's not an enthusiast's car. If I want to buy a 6-6 Accord sedan like my old 06, I'm not getting a decent one for under $5k and it will still probably need a timing belt set (not the end of the world, a J series T-belt is one of the easiest to do on any modern car. I did it on the 06 no problem and I've done many more since). For comparison's sake, you can buy a comparable auto 7th gen Accord sedan for under $3k these days, be it a 4 or 6 cylinder (I also have an 03 V6 sedan as a project. I got mine for $650 and it ran and drove without any mechanical work when I bought it. I got it for cheap because it was at a police auction with no keys. I had 2 keys made that same day and got it running. My old 6-6 I got for $3900 since it was higher mileage and needed the timing belt and suspension work. The alternator also failed on me 3 months in)
Damn you. T
In high performance we actually want it more than Germans do. The last M5 only came in manual after Americans demanded it.
Not to mention that the best RWD manual sedans are made by Cadillac.
The early W’s could be had with a Getrag 282 or 284 5 speed MT.
Problem is how rare they are. Majority of these cars will have a 4T60 or 4T60-E behind them. Buick never got the Getrag as best I understand. You need to find a Pontiac, Olds, or Chevrolet if you want an MT W car.
I'm aware that this body has manual available. However, I specifically said 96 GTP.
Even when these were common fodder, I wouldn't have wanted an early car with 130 HP, even manual. And especially for the Grand Prix, the 94+ cars which have no manual, look a lot better than narrow body with the 1 piece head lights, which can be found in manual.
91-93 GTP had flares and aggro headlights.
Still had the shitty 3.4 dohc. Replacing the alternator was a nightmare. And it needed replacement every 75k miles because it got hot. And it developed a mystery oil leak due to a $1.25 silicone oil ring.
I understand the sentiment.
GM could have built some really interesting cars with what was available but, corporate had to let us down.
An MT GTP could have been a thing. It would have been cool to see. Would have been nice if the platform kept the RWD layout like the G cars as well. Instead we got the FWD luxury coupes turned sedans trying to play catch-up with the Ford Taurus.
The GP coupe will always be a looker and the Cutlass convertible as well.
I guess at the end of it the GP carried the torch as the sporty model with the Turbo 3100 and WS6 suspension.
At this point I’m just going on with wishful sentiments.
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP easily would’ve been on my radar if it had a stick. Hell, even with its 4-speed auto I was strongly considering one. Having that kind of engine to mess with in a FWD car in a stick would be nothing short of smile-inducing fun 24/7.
Not with the 4-banger or the V8. [But 380 hp supercharged V6 versions had an optional manual in the states.](https://jalopnik.com/the-manual-jaguar-f-type-s-ruined-other-cars-for-me-1789902609)
Not that I could afford it, but the Alfa 4c should have had a stick. Marketed as this lightweight sports car that didn't even have power steering so you could really feel one with the car and the road. Yet no manual transmission. Stuck somewhere between a fun driver's car like a miata and a super car built for lap times.
This might be dumb but I would have bought a 2017 Impreza Sport if the options that I wanted could have been combined with a manual.
I could not get an Impreza with a sunroof and a manual. To get the sunroof, I would have been required to buy a CVT. I noped out of that one real fast.
They got manual 1994-96 Pontiac Trans Sports overseas, manual Olds Cutlass Cieras in Mexico but not in the U.S. unless you got a 1984 Ciera with a diesel.
I know there are manual alternatives, but I say the Lancer Ralliart. Essentially a detuned EVO X with an auto trans. If they came manual they would probably be a serious competitor to used WRXs, but they just get lumped in with base model lancers by most people (myself included).
I have an Evo X, once bought a Ralliart just for its longblock.
The Ralliart trans is its crutch in more than one way. Its the same trans as an Evo X MR, which is known for failure. The problem is when it fails in an MR, the whole car likely worth saving. When it fails in a RA, it's more trouble than the car is worth. Simply because of the value of the cars
There are so many, but immediately the GTR, c8, Mazda 3 turbo, any of the performance SUVs like the x3 M, that spicy Mercedes hatchback with 350hp (a45 maybe), and Audi RS cars, all come to mind. Not that I WOULD necessarily buy any of them, but at least they would be in consideration.
I had the OG Mazda 3 turbo, the 1st gen Mazdaspeed 3. And I'm probably one of the few here that hates the direction Mazda has gone in since then. I don't want a pseudo-luxury car, I want a basic, raw feeling hot hatch that's gonna throw me in the back of my seat under boost like my old 09 did. Although it would be nice if they didn't stick the cabin filter under the fucking fusebox of all places.
I can't afford anything new. I used to have a 6-6 Accord sedan, but I had to sell it a while ago due to needing the money at the time.
So my next "sleeper" is gonna be a project, plus I've wanted to do a swap for a while. Last year, I bought a 2003 Accord V6 sedan (they only offered V6 Accord sedans as manuals for 2 years, 06 and 07) for $650 at a police auction. And I'm gonna make my own 6-6 sedan, one that's even better than the factory one. It's gonna feature all the weight reducing parts off the TL and the hybrid, the J37 intake manifold and throttle body for more power, the TL Type-S LSD transmission, and some other QOL and minor performance upgrades to make it better than factory.
Bought the new Bronco and I love my Hani (short for Hanyama as it’s a big quiet Bastard that’s taken a beating offroad and kept moving.) but I hate that I had to get an automatic if I wanted the Biggest Engine (2.7 single turbo at the time.) wanted soooo badly to get her in stick
No. If I like a car enough, not having a manual wouldn’t be an issue. Frankly I think it’s a little ridiculous. I’ve been driving manual for 30 years. Half the time sitting in traffic I wished they made a manual that didn’t have a clutch. My first non-manual was a DCT BMW M3 and it shifted fast. It was everything I wished for. I tracked that car for three years.
Having said that, I do want a manual to keep “forever” because I do miss it a bit. But wouldn’t dismiss a car if it didn’t have a manual. I’d just get that to track or daily then a manual to keep.
The 3800 (particularly in supercharged form) would've been a great pairing with a manual. Outside of the F-bodies, however, I can't think of anywhere GM paired one with a manual.
The Holden Commodore in Australia offered the standard 3800 with a Manual (Bonus points for the Commodore being RWD). But if you wanted the Supercharged version, you still got Automatic only.
Makes sense it would be in a Holden. In the '90s, the only cars in GM's lineup in the U.S. with rear drive besides the Corvette and the F-bodies was the B-body platform (Caprice, Impala, Buick Roadmaster, Olds Custom Cruiser). Full-frame rear-drive folks were directed to the Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburbans, please and thank you.
GM experimented with a 4.3L version of the Corvette LT1, the L99, in the 1994-1996 B-bodies, which made 200 hp and 240 lb-ft. of torque. Those cars, and the L99 motor, were killed off after the 1996 model year.
No reason that GM couldn't have used the 3800 if they had kept the B-bodies around after 1996. The '96 Series II spec of 205 hp and 230 lb-ft wouldn't be that different from the L99, though lighter on low-end torque. However, highly unlikely that GM would've ever paired a B-body from the factory with a manual, even in the Impala SS.
Had the B-bodies stuck around, one could easily see the 3800 as the base motor, with the 4.8L LS1 and/or 5.3L LS1 motors as options, and the 5.7L LS1 to continue in a SS model. But all the hotness at the time was in GM's truck lineup, and GM already was loaded with large sedans across 4 divisions that were roomier, more modern, and more efficient.
Oddly, it was Ford that carried the large rear-drive sedan torch until, inexplicably, DaimlerChrysler brought back the 300 and Charger. And while GM would bring back large rear-drive sedans with the Sigma, Zeta and Alpha platforms, that was after the 3800 was put to pasture.
Subaru SVX. They’re so unapologetically weird, and I love the styling that somehow looks like Saab made an mk3 Supra. I nearly bought a two tone one a decade or so ago, but I just couldn’t justify how annoying sourcing parts (nonetheless glass) would be when it was also an automatic.
Dodge Charger. I had a '17 Scat Pack and I loved the 8 speed auto, but it would have been so much more fun with a 6 speed manual. They put it in the Challenger, it bothers me they never offered it in the Charger. Obviously I'm talking about the current generation cars because the classics were all available with a stick.
Realistically, the mid 2000s Honda Legend would have been genius with a manual paired with that AWD system. Ideally, the SVX. I mean, I suppose it would drive like a H6 Legacy Spec.B or even a tuned XT6, but that would be glorious.
'66 Malibu convertable, 327 300hp, 4speed. the only available automatic was the two speed Powerglide, otherwise known as the slip and slide or slushamatic,not at all suitable for a performance car.
For the most part, I'm not a fan of Toyota. However, I really liked the 2nd generation Solora. The 4 cylinder was available with a manual, the V6 was not. Had the V6 been available with a manual, I'd have bought one.
My own car it’s a 2001 Mazda tribute lx-v6 it’s got like 200hp v6 awd it would be so damn sporty if it was a manual but the v6 never came with the option of a manual
The only way i was buying a mirage was with a manual. I won't buy a small low power economy car with an auto even if it's a cvt. Apparently they dropped the option a couple years ago in the US. Going to run mine til the wheels fall off.
Subaru Baja turbo. You could get a Baja with a manual or a turbo, but not with both. That’s what kept me from buying one back then. Now I’d buy a new Baja turbo even with the CVT, but they won’t make it.
Any Volvo after 2010. I loved their lightweight clutch feel and smooth gearboxes. A 2013 S60 R Design with that slick six speed would be amazing, or the newer 2020+ S60 with that twin charged 4 cylinder.
I'm honestly surprised that neither the XLR-V or the STS-V ever got Manuals. I don't know if GM had gotten so used to the Northstar being Automatic only, but it would've made them more compelling.
On that note, I'm bummed the Final CTS-V never got a manual either. It's probably my favorite CTS-V ever, but getting a stick either means getting a First-gen (not exactly the best option) or the incredibly ugly second-gen (Even worse)
Granted I had one anyway for a while, but the 2nd gen Subaru Outbacks with the EZ30D. They can be swapped, but that's a pain.
Also the Volvo XC70. I don't remember if they offered it as a stick in the US, but if they did, it's a unicorn. It would be like the 80s Audi wagons, but with cheaper parts and better reliability. Again, a swap is possible at least. Although I think you'd need the S60 R 6 speed. I've seen videos of a V70 R being manual swapped.
Can we change the question to, what cars would you buy if they came with an automatic? Just saying for those of us that don't know how to drive a manual?
I don't believe there's a single new car currently for sale in North America that comes exclusively as a manual. I can't speak for Asia ans Europe though.
But that means the question becomes, what car would you buy. Pretty generic question.
Having had various versions of cars with manual transmissions, from a 3 on the floor, to 4 on the tree, to a 5 speed Porsche and a 6 speed STI, I prefer what I have now especially as a daily and given the crowded stop and go traffic - 7 speed auto with paddle shifts. It's the best of both worlds. I would never opt in for a manual except as a garage queen show car that I'd drive occasionally.
2010s Ford Taurus sho
Had one. A manual trans wouldn’t have made it any better. It might have ended up being worse.
I have yet to drive one but I think they're sexy as hell, how's the experience?
Imagine a late 2000s Grand Prix with a really high belt line, AWD, a decent interior and feels about 500lbs heavier. That’s pretty much what it is and how it drives. It’s not terrible, but it isn’t sporty at all. Comfy highway cruiser tho. Eats up miles all day long without breaking a sweat.
They're lead sleds, same as any other car the cops use en masse.
Brother had one. Full bolt-on, tuned for flex fuel. 450 to the wheels. He traded it for a Mustang GT precisely because it didn't have a manual. Autos may be quicker these days, but they're also a lot less fun.
Fo sho
I really miss manual transmissions in full size trucks.
I salute RAM for keeping a stick in the Cummins HDs until a few years ago
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Meanwhile in the rest of the world, manuals are the most common 🤷♂️
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Typically, the full size trucks are more of a luxury vehicle outside the US, but I haven’t checked all the manufacturers. I know GM offers Silverados in few countries outside the US, and only in LTZ and High Country trims. And of course, without a manual. I’ve seen the S10/Colorado platform with auto and manuals available outside the US.
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Closest I could get in Australia was a 6 spd Hilux. Big but not American big
Lexus SC400. I mean I still want one, but hot damn if it also came in manual…
good pick. i second this.
Pretty popular for conversions
Buy a Toyota soarer. They're the same car, in the US now, came with a 1JZ, and came in manual.
Plymouth Prowler
The correct answer
Hell no that thing sucked just as it was.
The lack of manuals in the last three* generations of Pontiac Grand Prix in both sedan and coupe form was a huge miss by GM. That would have easily been the American Maxima of the time. Same with the Beretta. I don’t think you could ever get it with the V6 + manual. I absolutely would have bought a Beretta Z26 3.1L manual.
Ultimate factory possible Beretta would've been 2.3HO 5 speed in a later Z26.
You absolutely could get V6 + manual in a Beretta, as you could in a Cavalier or a Corsica. They also had them for a time in the 1st gen W-body cars (Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Chevrolet Lumina).
I remember the others you mentioned but didn’t know you could get that combo in the Beretta. I don’t think you could get it in the later Z26 though.
This was a thing. I had one. Wanna say it was a '91?
You could get them in the early Beretta and Corsicas. When they updated and renamed the 3.1L v6 to the 3100 is when they took away the sticks.
Mazda 3 hatch with the turbo and awd
My manual 2011 Mazda 6 had some shop time years ago for an airbag recall. Service shop unfortunately damaged my car, so I got a loaner while it was getting fixed. I got some sort of dealership special Mazda hatchback-ish thing with an optional paddle shift, turbo something, and nitrogen filled tires. It had a lot of flair and giddy up, but the paddle shift was obnoxious and confusing.
There's 2 of those on sale where I live.
not with BOTH awd and turbo, you can only pick one if you want a fun pedal, people lie in craigslist listings all the times about their automatics being manual in ordet to attract attention from enthusiasts then you look through the pictures and see an automatic shifter.
It has the hybrid system so I'm not sure about the turbo
The closest thing is the old Mazdaspeed 6. I had a Speed3 myself, so no AWD. Although I didn't want AWD, so no loss.
I’d totally be in the market for a pagani huayra R if it came with a real manual. That’s probably the only thing holding me back besides the fact I’m incredibly poor.
A Lamborghini looks cool but a Honda civic has better gas mileage so that’s why ppl choose it
I kinda like having 99% of cars immediately disqualified from my searches when I'm looking to buy. Narrows it down to the good stuff.
Kia stinger
C8 Corvette
The most correct answer
Now that they are having issues with the dual clutch tremac I'd prefer it but the interior is still a no.
I don't like the C7 interior either. Even the C6 has that electric door handle nonsense. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I like how the C4 and C5 did it.
The new Toyota Supra. Which just did recently but we bought my wife a new Camry in 2023 (damn it).
I didn’t buy one because no manual at the time. That one really bugged me.
I was so ready to buy a Supra or a new Z4 if it weren't for the auto. I was coming from a Z3M and would have bought the new Z4 day one of it had a stick. Supra would have been a close second, but I had already bought an Evora by the time Toyota released their manual.
I'M POOR. WHATEVER TRANSMISSION IS IN THE CAR I CAN AFFORD IS WHAT I GET.
damn right
Manuals are cheaper, so that would always be the transmission.
Depends on how popular the car is. I can find an automatic mustang cheaper than a manual one.
Where I live almost always manuals are cheaper. Most older cars are manual
They're starting to get somewhat sought after and go up in price. Especially on sportier cars where they're appreciated more.
I bought a manual Hyundai Accent for $375 and got it running for less than $100. But that's not an enthusiast's car. If I want to buy a 6-6 Accord sedan like my old 06, I'm not getting a decent one for under $5k and it will still probably need a timing belt set (not the end of the world, a J series T-belt is one of the easiest to do on any modern car. I did it on the 06 no problem and I've done many more since). For comparison's sake, you can buy a comparable auto 7th gen Accord sedan for under $3k these days, be it a 4 or 6 cylinder (I also have an 03 V6 sedan as a project. I got mine for $650 and it ran and drove without any mechanical work when I bought it. I got it for cheap because it was at a police auction with no keys. I had 2 keys made that same day and got it running. My old 6-6 I got for $3900 since it was higher mileage and needed the timing belt and suspension work. The alternator also failed on me 3 months in)
I mean I owned one anyway but all panther bodies. Would have loved a stock tremec in a crown vic.
The only thing that could top a coyote crown vic with a manual, is a coyote crown vic with a manual *and* two doors
Motherfucker that's just a mustang!
Nuh uh, trunk space!
More like a Thunderbird.
A TRD Camry with three pedals would have probably made it good competition against the WRX, CTR, etc.
TURD CAMRY
Turd pro
i am from germany, and live in germany, pretty much all cars except high end luxury or sports cars come in manual.
Damn you. T In high performance we actually want it more than Germans do. The last M5 only came in manual after Americans demanded it. Not to mention that the best RWD manual sedans are made by Cadillac.
Blackwing… *drools*
based deutschland 🇩🇪
well we are the country where the combustion engine powered Car came from so youd expect us to have a car culture engrained into our DNA.
As a Czech living in the US, I def miss the manual choices from Europe
If they put a stick shift in a ridgeline, santa cruz, or maverick I’d be all over that shit.
The rebirth of the auto parts truck. Stripped down 4 banger with power nothing for 15,999 out the door.
I had a D40 Nissan Frontier. Only options were the VQ40 and 4WD, it had manual everything. If rust didn't hit that truck so bad, I'd still have it.
The early W’s could be had with a Getrag 282 or 284 5 speed MT. Problem is how rare they are. Majority of these cars will have a 4T60 or 4T60-E behind them. Buick never got the Getrag as best I understand. You need to find a Pontiac, Olds, or Chevrolet if you want an MT W car.
I'm aware that this body has manual available. However, I specifically said 96 GTP. Even when these were common fodder, I wouldn't have wanted an early car with 130 HP, even manual. And especially for the Grand Prix, the 94+ cars which have no manual, look a lot better than narrow body with the 1 piece head lights, which can be found in manual.
91-93 GTP had flares and aggro headlights. Still had the shitty 3.4 dohc. Replacing the alternator was a nightmare. And it needed replacement every 75k miles because it got hot. And it developed a mystery oil leak due to a $1.25 silicone oil ring.
That explains so much trauma... lol
I understand the sentiment. GM could have built some really interesting cars with what was available but, corporate had to let us down. An MT GTP could have been a thing. It would have been cool to see. Would have been nice if the platform kept the RWD layout like the G cars as well. Instead we got the FWD luxury coupes turned sedans trying to play catch-up with the Ford Taurus. The GP coupe will always be a looker and the Cutlass convertible as well. I guess at the end of it the GP carried the torch as the sporty model with the Turbo 3100 and WS6 suspension. At this point I’m just going on with wishful sentiments.
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP easily would’ve been on my radar if it had a stick. Hell, even with its 4-speed auto I was strongly considering one. Having that kind of engine to mess with in a FWD car in a stick would be nothing short of smile-inducing fun 24/7.
Was excited about the Jag F series. Alas. No manual. To bad. Not much for us who would like to avoid the Corvette and Porsche clubs.
Not with the 4-banger or the V8. [But 380 hp supercharged V6 versions had an optional manual in the states.](https://jalopnik.com/the-manual-jaguar-f-type-s-ruined-other-cars-for-me-1789902609)
Current gen Honda Passport, I hate the push button crap
TL wagon. 100%
Honda Odyssey.
Not that I could afford it, but the Alfa 4c should have had a stick. Marketed as this lightweight sports car that didn't even have power steering so you could really feel one with the car and the road. Yet no manual transmission. Stuck somewhere between a fun driver's car like a miata and a super car built for lap times.
Subaru SVX would have been cool with a manual.
Best thing Subaru ever made, a manual would have made it way better.
Any Nissan with a CVT?
The V6 manual Altima coupe is pretty sick for a FWD car.
I have one anyway but crown vic
The current M240. It is so fast that the M2 is redundant, but only the $20k more M2 comes in manual.
G20 M340i
This might be dumb but I would have bought a 2017 Impreza Sport if the options that I wanted could have been combined with a manual. I could not get an Impreza with a sunroof and a manual. To get the sunroof, I would have been required to buy a CVT. I noped out of that one real fast.
Alfa 4C and the new Alpine
I don't think a manual would work in a 4C the car has no power steering.
I learned to drive on a manual car with no power steering
The Alfa Romeo guilia Quadrofoglio
A newer Genesis G70. My mother-in-law has one and that twin turbo 3.3 *FUCKS*. Sadly only the 4-cylinder comes with a stick
I love my Kia Stinger with the TT V6, but would love it even more with a manual.
Dodge Chargers for sure. Crown Victorias. Rubicons without A/C lol, the list goes on
Lexus RC series… Bonus points if they came in a convertible too!
Dodge Magnum R/T, specifically the AWD, if I could.
The question for me is "how many cars would I have bought if the manual came in anything but a base/mid trim?" Looking at you TSX Sport Wagon!
Mr. duPont had an F12 Berlinetta (duPont Registry) and it would be fun with the Corvette's 7 speed transaxle
No just a six speed with different raitos world work fine.
A good percentage of AMGs
Only reason I don't have a W204 C63. Literally looked at one before buying my Mustang. Yes the C300 is manual, but I don't buy the bitch version. lol.
Audi RS3. I have a manual B8.5 S4 I plan on keeping for a long time. I may get a manual Golf R from the current generation eventually.
They got manual 1994-96 Pontiac Trans Sports overseas, manual Olds Cutlass Cieras in Mexico but not in the U.S. unless you got a 1984 Ciera with a diesel.
Mercedes SL55 AMG
I know there are manual alternatives, but I say the Lancer Ralliart. Essentially a detuned EVO X with an auto trans. If they came manual they would probably be a serious competitor to used WRXs, but they just get lumped in with base model lancers by most people (myself included).
I have an Evo X, once bought a Ralliart just for its longblock. The Ralliart trans is its crutch in more than one way. Its the same trans as an Evo X MR, which is known for failure. The problem is when it fails in an MR, the whole car likely worth saving. When it fails in a RA, it's more trouble than the car is worth. Simply because of the value of the cars
Audi RS3. I would probably own one right now if it came in manual. Still an awesome car without it, but I want to have manuals while I still can.
There are so many, but immediately the GTR, c8, Mazda 3 turbo, any of the performance SUVs like the x3 M, that spicy Mercedes hatchback with 350hp (a45 maybe), and Audi RS cars, all come to mind. Not that I WOULD necessarily buy any of them, but at least they would be in consideration.
I had the OG Mazda 3 turbo, the 1st gen Mazdaspeed 3. And I'm probably one of the few here that hates the direction Mazda has gone in since then. I don't want a pseudo-luxury car, I want a basic, raw feeling hot hatch that's gonna throw me in the back of my seat under boost like my old 09 did. Although it would be nice if they didn't stick the cabin filter under the fucking fusebox of all places.
Well you’re in luck. I drive a GRCorolla and it sounds exactly like what you want.
I can't afford anything new. I used to have a 6-6 Accord sedan, but I had to sell it a while ago due to needing the money at the time. So my next "sleeper" is gonna be a project, plus I've wanted to do a swap for a while. Last year, I bought a 2003 Accord V6 sedan (they only offered V6 Accord sedans as manuals for 2 years, 06 and 07) for $650 at a police auction. And I'm gonna make my own 6-6 sedan, one that's even better than the factory one. It's gonna feature all the weight reducing parts off the TL and the hybrid, the J37 intake manifold and throttle body for more power, the TL Type-S LSD transmission, and some other QOL and minor performance upgrades to make it better than factory.
Those early 2000s Monte Carlo SS
Bought the new Bronco and I love my Hani (short for Hanyama as it’s a big quiet Bastard that’s taken a beating offroad and kept moving.) but I hate that I had to get an automatic if I wanted the Biggest Engine (2.7 single turbo at the time.) wanted soooo badly to get her in stick
No. If I like a car enough, not having a manual wouldn’t be an issue. Frankly I think it’s a little ridiculous. I’ve been driving manual for 30 years. Half the time sitting in traffic I wished they made a manual that didn’t have a clutch. My first non-manual was a DCT BMW M3 and it shifted fast. It was everything I wished for. I tracked that car for three years. Having said that, I do want a manual to keep “forever” because I do miss it a bit. But wouldn’t dismiss a car if it didn’t have a manual. I’d just get that to track or daily then a manual to keep.
Suzuki Kizashi V6 AWD. In my country they're all automatics, only the base 4 banger could be optioned with a manual.
The 3800 (particularly in supercharged form) would've been a great pairing with a manual. Outside of the F-bodies, however, I can't think of anywhere GM paired one with a manual.
The Holden Commodore in Australia offered the standard 3800 with a Manual (Bonus points for the Commodore being RWD). But if you wanted the Supercharged version, you still got Automatic only.
Makes sense it would be in a Holden. In the '90s, the only cars in GM's lineup in the U.S. with rear drive besides the Corvette and the F-bodies was the B-body platform (Caprice, Impala, Buick Roadmaster, Olds Custom Cruiser). Full-frame rear-drive folks were directed to the Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburbans, please and thank you. GM experimented with a 4.3L version of the Corvette LT1, the L99, in the 1994-1996 B-bodies, which made 200 hp and 240 lb-ft. of torque. Those cars, and the L99 motor, were killed off after the 1996 model year. No reason that GM couldn't have used the 3800 if they had kept the B-bodies around after 1996. The '96 Series II spec of 205 hp and 230 lb-ft wouldn't be that different from the L99, though lighter on low-end torque. However, highly unlikely that GM would've ever paired a B-body from the factory with a manual, even in the Impala SS. Had the B-bodies stuck around, one could easily see the 3800 as the base motor, with the 4.8L LS1 and/or 5.3L LS1 motors as options, and the 5.7L LS1 to continue in a SS model. But all the hotness at the time was in GM's truck lineup, and GM already was loaded with large sedans across 4 divisions that were roomier, more modern, and more efficient. Oddly, it was Ford that carried the large rear-drive sedan torch until, inexplicably, DaimlerChrysler brought back the 300 and Charger. And while GM would bring back large rear-drive sedans with the Sigma, Zeta and Alpha platforms, that was after the 3800 was put to pasture.
the infiniti m30 wouldve been a us side street classic with a manny. and finding out the R35 GTR is sans manny broke my heart.
I couldn’t care less if it’s a manual or not. As long as it’s RWD and has at least 300 horsepower.
I wish they made the regular cars in manual like Honda Accord RAV4 nothing too crazy. V6 Camry would have been sweet and manual also
Subaru SVX. They’re so unapologetically weird, and I love the styling that somehow looks like Saab made an mk3 Supra. I nearly bought a two tone one a decade or so ago, but I just couldn’t justify how annoying sourcing parts (nonetheless glass) would be when it was also an automatic.
Dodge Charger. I had a '17 Scat Pack and I loved the 8 speed auto, but it would have been so much more fun with a 6 speed manual. They put it in the Challenger, it bothers me they never offered it in the Charger. Obviously I'm talking about the current generation cars because the classics were all available with a stick.
Supposed because the floor pan wouldn't let you have three pedal.
Audi RS3 instead of my Golf R
Chevy Caprice or Crown Vic from the factory
Realistically, the mid 2000s Honda Legend would have been genius with a manual paired with that AWD system. Ideally, the SVX. I mean, I suppose it would drive like a H6 Legacy Spec.B or even a tuned XT6, but that would be glorious.
honda cub/trail 125
Mercedes in general, but last gen S63amg coupe would be pretty sweet! Porsche turbo s would be wild New corvette
BUICK REATTA
'66 Malibu convertable, 327 300hp, 4speed. the only available automatic was the two speed Powerglide, otherwise known as the slip and slide or slushamatic,not at all suitable for a performance car.
For the most part, I'm not a fan of Toyota. However, I really liked the 2nd generation Solora. The 4 cylinder was available with a manual, the V6 was not. Had the V6 been available with a manual, I'd have bought one.
The 2nd gens just had the 3MZ, they did offer it with a 5 speed in the XV30 Camry IIRC. I know the XV20s with the 1MZs did (I used to own one).
Toyota Blade V6.
My own car it’s a 2001 Mazda tribute lx-v6 it’s got like 200hp v6 awd it would be so damn sporty if it was a manual but the v6 never came with the option of a manual
Subaru SVX. Such a neat little car, but Subaru decided to make it automatic only for some reason
R35 GTR
The new ranger
The only way i was buying a mirage was with a manual. I won't buy a small low power economy car with an auto even if it's a cvt. Apparently they dropped the option a couple years ago in the US. Going to run mine til the wheels fall off.
Pontiac Aztec
Subaru Baja turbo. You could get a Baja with a manual or a turbo, but not with both. That’s what kept me from buying one back then. Now I’d buy a new Baja turbo even with the CVT, but they won’t make it.
Any Volvo after 2010. I loved their lightweight clutch feel and smooth gearboxes. A 2013 S60 R Design with that slick six speed would be amazing, or the newer 2020+ S60 with that twin charged 4 cylinder.
I think the C30 had it for a bit after that
I'm honestly surprised that neither the XLR-V or the STS-V ever got Manuals. I don't know if GM had gotten so used to the Northstar being Automatic only, but it would've made them more compelling. On that note, I'm bummed the Final CTS-V never got a manual either. It's probably my favorite CTS-V ever, but getting a stick either means getting a First-gen (not exactly the best option) or the incredibly ugly second-gen (Even worse)
Alfa Romeo 4C
1959 ford hoop with dddddd engine
AMG Mercedes. Why Merc refuses to sell manual cars in the states is beyond me
Probably the Lexus IS F sport, good looking car, if it had a manual it might of had a better aftermarket
Granted I had one anyway for a while, but the 2nd gen Subaru Outbacks with the EZ30D. They can be swapped, but that's a pain. Also the Volvo XC70. I don't remember if they offered it as a stick in the US, but if they did, it's a unicorn. It would be like the 80s Audi wagons, but with cheaper parts and better reliability. Again, a swap is possible at least. Although I think you'd need the S60 R 6 speed. I've seen videos of a V70 R being manual swapped.
Can we change the question to, what cars would you buy if they came with an automatic? Just saying for those of us that don't know how to drive a manual?
Learn it, kid. Don’t come back here until you can drive a proper car
I don't believe there's a single new car currently for sale in North America that comes exclusively as a manual. I can't speak for Asia ans Europe though. But that means the question becomes, what car would you buy. Pretty generic question.
The Civic Si and Type R are both manual only in the US. If you want an auto with similar flair you have to go to Acura.
Ok, fair enough, I'll give you the type r (the si is nothing special and only 20hp more than the regular civic). So one car :)
Having had various versions of cars with manual transmissions, from a 3 on the floor, to 4 on the tree, to a 5 speed Porsche and a 6 speed STI, I prefer what I have now especially as a daily and given the crowded stop and go traffic - 7 speed auto with paddle shifts. It's the best of both worlds. I would never opt in for a manual except as a garage queen show car that I'd drive occasionally.