BEST Cars That Still Come In Manual

Horsepower is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do over time. It’s often used as a quick shorthand for how strong a car feels, though real-world acceleration also depends on weight and gearing.

Fuel is the energy source a vehicle uses to make power (for example, gasoline, diesel, or electricity). In automotive discussions, the “type of fuel” affects cost, emissions, and how the powertrain behaves.

EV means “electric vehicle,” a car powered by an electric motor and battery rather than a gasoline engine. It matters here because the host is contrasting it with the kind of daily driving they’re considering.

“E24” is BMW’s 6 Series generation code. It’s a classic BMW platform known for its long-hood, rear-wheel-drive layout and enthusiast appeal, which is why it shows up in garage conversations alongside other BMWs.

Diesel drag racing is a form of drag racing where the cars are powered by diesel engines. Diesel builds often focus on maximizing torque and fueling control to accelerate hard from a standstill.

The BMW 335D is a 3 Series diesel variant, and this one is notable because it uses the M57 engine. It’s a manual-friendly enthusiast pick in a market where diesel BMWs are relatively rare, and the appeal here is the strong low-end pull.

The M57 is BMW’s inline-six diesel engine family. In this context, it’s the engine behind the 2011 335D, and it’s known for producing strong torque thanks to turbocharging.

“Six cylinder twin turbo diesel” describes a diesel engine with six cylinders and two turbochargers. Two turbos are used to improve boost response and overall power/torque delivery compared with a single turbo setup.

Torque is the twisting force an engine produces, and it strongly influences how quickly a car accelerates from low speeds. The host highlights torque figures (about 350 lb-ft) to explain why the diesel feels especially strong.

The N54 is BMW’s turbocharged inline-six gasoline engine used in certain E90 3 Series models. Saying “N54 stock” means the comparison is against the N54’s factory (unmodified) output, emphasizing that the diesel’s torque is higher even without tuning.

Lowered suspension means the car’s ride height is reduced by using shorter springs and/or different suspension components. This usually sharpens handling response and steering feel, but it can also make the ride firmer and reduce ground clearance.

Paddle shifters are steering-wheel-mounted controls that let you manually command gear changes without using a clutch. On an automatic, they typically override the transmission’s normal shifting strategy for a more driver-focused feel.

A six-speed automatic is a transmission that automatically selects among six forward gear ratios. More gears can help keep the engine in a better efficiency or power band, but the driving feel depends heavily on the specific transmission design and tuning.

“Check engine” is the dashboard warning light that indicates the engine or emissions control system has detected a fault. When it comes on, the car may limit power or run in a protective mode depending on the severity of the issue.

“Battery voltage” refers to the electrical system’s measured voltage, which can affect how sensors and control modules behave. Low or unstable voltage can trigger fault codes or cause warnings even if the underlying mechanical issue is minor.

“Emissions” in this context means the car’s pollution-control systems that reduce harmful exhaust gases. The speaker later identifies a specific emissions-related component that isn’t working, which can also affect drivability and warning lights.

The “DEF heater” warms the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) so it can be properly delivered and dosed into the exhaust aftertreatment system. In cold weather, DEF can gel or not atomize correctly, so a heater is important for emissions compliance and consistent operation.

Urea is the key chemical in DEF. In diesel emissions systems, urea is converted in the exhaust into ammonia, which then reacts with NOx to reduce emissions.

Deionized water is water with dissolved minerals removed (ions taken out). In DEF, it acts as the solvent that carries the urea so the fluid can be dosed consistently into the exhaust system.

“X5” is BMW’s midsize SUV line, and the host specifies they owned an X5 with a diesel engine. Diesel X5s are often chosen for their torque and highway efficiency, which matches the fuel-economy talk in this segment.

“TDI” refers to Volkswagen’s turbocharged direct-injection diesel engines, and the host is comparing their fuel economy to a TDI wagon they owned. TDI wagons are popular with enthusiasts because they combine diesel torque with strong real-world highway mpg.

“Roto forms” appears to refer to a wheel brand/model (aftermarket wheels). The host is linking the wheel choice to fuel economy and ride/handling feel by discussing wheel weight and how it changed their mpg.

Wheel weight matters because heavier wheels increase rotational mass, which can hurt acceleration feel and fuel economy. In this segment, the host attributes a drop in mpg to the wheels being about 25 pounds each.

The Autobahn is Germany’s high-speed highway network, famous for long stretches where speed limits may not be posted. It’s often used by enthusiasts as a real-world test of sustained cruising, stability, and fuel economy.

“Daily drive” means using a car as your regular, everyday transportation rather than keeping it as a weekend toy. That changes what matters—comfort, reliability, and running costs—more than pure track performance.

The speaker is referring to a BMW 3 Series generation often called the “E90.” The E90 is the 2005–2011 era of the BMW 3 Series sedan, and it’s known for a distinct front-end look that can resemble other BMW 3 Series generations at a quick glance.

The “10 foot rule” is a car-enthusiast joke meaning a vehicle looks good from about 10 feet away, but up close you can see flaws like paint issues, dents, or mismatched panels. It’s often used when judging cosmetic condition without doing a detailed inspection.

Carbon fiber tape is a strip of carbon-fiber-reinforced material used either for cosmetic styling or to reinforce/repair a specific area. In car projects, it’s sometimes applied to help hold parts together, but it can also be purely aesthetic, so you’d want to inspect what it’s actually securing.

Headlights are the front lighting units that illuminate the road at night and in low visibility. When enthusiasts “clean up the headlights,” they often mean restoring clarity to the lens or replacing degraded components so the beam pattern looks correct again.

The M Sport package is a BMW option that typically adds sport-oriented styling and chassis components, such as a more aggressive body kit, sport seats, and sometimes firmer suspension and steering calibration. It’s a trim/package identity rather than a single part, so the exact contents can vary by model year and market.

In this context, “slapstick” is being used to describe a manual-style shifting setup (often a clutchless or semi-automatic feel) rather than literal comedy. Enthusiasts sometimes use “slapstick” to refer to quick, lever-based shifting behavior.

A “turbo six cylinder diesel” describes a diesel engine with six cylinders that uses a turbocharger to force more air into the cylinders. That boosts power and—more importantly for diesels—low-end torque, which is why these engines often feel strong off the line.

The Honda S2000 is a two-seat sports car known for its high-revving character and driver-focused design. In the podcast, it’s referenced with a negative reaction (“it sucks”), which indicates the speaker is discussing personal impressions or a specific point about the car. It’s still a notable model because it’s widely remembered for how it drives at higher engine speeds.

“Manual by wire” refers to a car that uses electronic signals to control what would normally be mechanical linkages in a manual transmission. The driver still selects gears, but the clutch/shift actions are managed by actuators and sensors rather than purely mechanical cables.

The Acura Integra is a compact, driver-focused hatchback/sedan line from Acura that’s known for offering a manual transmission on some trims. In this segment, they’re highlighting the “new one” as a current example of a car still available in manual form.

The Acura Integra is a compact performance-oriented model, and the podcast specifically references the Integra Type S and base Integra trims. The mention of “Type R” and “higher trim” suggests the speaker is talking about how different versions compare in equipment and intent. It comes up because enthusiasts often care which trim offers the best mix of performance and practicality.

The Cadillac Blackwing line is known for high-performance V8 models with a driver-focused setup, and this segment highlights the Cadillac CT/Blackwing as a standout manual-enthusiast pick. The hosts call it a “banger” and say they want one, emphasizing its desirability as a manual-capable performance car.

MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is the price automakers publish as the starting point for what a car should cost. In this segment, the hosts connect MSRP to why the discussed manual cars are “expensive,” implying that rarity and demand keep transaction prices high.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a high-performance sedan from Cadillac, built around a supercharged V8. In this segment, the hosts frame it as a direct performance comparison point to BMW’s M5, which helps listeners understand its intended “top-tier” role in the lineup.

A supercharged V8 is an engine with eight cylinders in a V layout that uses a supercharger to force more air into the cylinders. More air generally allows more fuel to be burned, which can produce higher power than a similar naturally aspirated V8.

When the hosts say the CT5-V Blackwing is an “M5 equivalent,” they’re comparing it to the BMW M5’s role as a high-performance, V8-powered executive sedan. The point is not a technical spec match, but the market positioning: both are meant to be serious performance sedans.

The BMW M4 is a performance coupe version of the BMW 4 Series, part of BMW’s M lineup. The podcast groups it with other M cars like the M2 and M3, which is why it comes up—people often discuss the differences within the lineup. It’s significant because it’s designed to deliver the “M” performance feel in a more compact, sporty body style.

BMW’s M2, M3, and M4 are the brand’s performance “M” models across different sizes and body styles, but they share the same enthusiast focus: sharp handling and strong engines. The hosts mention them together to set a familiar performance-car reference point before discussing manual availability.

The Ford Bronco is a modern off-road SUV built around the idea of being a capable, go-anywhere “utility” vehicle. In this segment, they’re specifically talking about a manual-transmission Bronco variant and how that pairs with the Bronco’s rugged, trail-oriented personality.

“3.3 liter” refers to engine displacement, meaning the total volume of all cylinders combined. In this segment it’s tied to the EcoBoost Bronco, and it helps listeners understand the engine size they’re discussing (a smaller-displacement turbo setup rather than a large naturally aspirated V8).

The Ford Mustang is a long-running American sports coupe/convertible known for offering enthusiast-focused powertrains, including manual transmissions on certain trims. In this segment, the hosts discuss Mustang manual options and how Ford packages them with different engines.

“G-TRAG” refers to a specific manual gearbox family used by Ford for certain Mustang applications. The key point is that Ford offers different manual transmission options, and the G-TRAG is one of the named gearboxes in this setup.

A “five liter V8” describes an engine that displaces about 5.0 liters total and uses a V-shaped cylinder layout with eight cylinders. In this segment, it’s tied to the Mustang’s manual-transmission configuration.

The Honda Civic Si is a performance-focused trim of the Honda Civic, built to be a practical daily driver that still feels engaging with a manual gearbox. In this segment, the hosts specifically call out that the Civic Si was available with a manual transmission “a couple of years back,” making it a straightforward choice for manual fans.

The Toyota 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV built for rugged use and long-term ownership. The podcast describes it as “nothing more, nothing less,” which points to its straightforward, no-nonsense purpose. It’s discussed because many buyers choose it specifically for durability and off-road capability rather than luxury features.

The Hyundai Elantra N is a performance version of the Elantra built around a turbocharged engine and a driver-focused chassis. It’s notable here because the speaker points out it as a “Civic Si competitor” that’s still available with a manual transmission, which is increasingly rare in this class.

The Hyundai Veloster is a compact hatchback that’s known for its distinctive styling and practical layout. In the podcast, the speaker calls it underrated but says they’d rather have an Elantra than a Veloster, which is why it’s being discussed—comparing value and preference within Hyundai’s lineup. It comes up often because it’s a less common alternative to more mainstream hatchbacks.

The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged, off-road-focused SUV known for its removable doors and open-air capability. The speaker mentions it in the context of manual availability, implying that the Wrangler is one of the mainstream vehicles that still offers a manual transmission option.

A manual transmission is a gearbox where the driver selects gears using a clutch pedal and a gear lever. In modern cars, manual transmissions are less common, so the episode’s theme highlights models that still offer them.

A mid-engine layout places the engine near the center of the car, typically behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle. This positioning helps balance weight distribution, which can improve handling and steering response—especially in sports cars.

The Mazda MX-5, commonly called the Miata, is a lightweight, fun-to-drive roadster that’s popular with enthusiasts. The podcast calls it “classic,” which reflects its long-standing reputation as an accessible car that’s easy to enjoy. It often gets discussed because it delivers a lot of driving feel without needing extreme power.

The Nissan Z is a modern revival of the classic Z-car formula, and this segment focuses on how its transmission choices affect the driving experience. The hosts say Nissan dropped the automatic for a time, then brought back an automatic, and that the Nismo version initially arrived only with an automatic before a manual variant was added.

The Porsche 911 is the iconic rear-engine sports car from Porsche, known for its distinctive handling and long-running evolution. In this segment, the host is specifically discussing whether certain 911 trims can be had with a manual gearbox versus Porsche’s dual-clutch automatic.

PDK is Porsche’s dual-clutch automatic transmission. It uses two clutches to pre-select the next gear, so shifts can be very fast and consistent—often making it feel more “instant” than a traditional automatic, and sometimes even quicker than a manual.

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a track-focused 911 variant built around high-performance driving. In this segment, the host notes that GT3 models are “all PDK,” meaning they’re typically paired with Porsche’s dual-clutch automatic rather than a manual.

The Subaru BRZ is a lightweight, driver-focused sports coupe co-developed with Toyota. In this segment, it’s grouped with other affordable sports cars as a “good use case” for enjoying driving without needing huge horsepower.

The Subaru WRX is a turbocharged performance sedan/wagon line known for rally-inspired driving dynamics. Here it’s mentioned alongside the BRZ and Toyota GR 86 as another practical “enjoy it when you use it” option rather than something defined by massive power.

The Toyota GR 86 is a lightweight rear-wheel-drive sports coupe designed for balanced, engaging driving. In this segment, it’s included as part of a set of cars that make sense if you want to enjoy the driving experience without relying on “huge amount of power.”

The Toyota GR Corolla is a performance hatchback from Toyota’s GR line, designed to be quick and capable while still being practical. The podcast calls it “Great car” and “GR Corolla,” which is why it’s included—it's being praised as a strong overall choice. It’s significant because it targets drivers who want a hot-hatch experience with real performance.

The Toyota Supra is a performance sports car that’s frequently discussed in enthusiast circles for its driving dynamics and popularity. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside the GR Corolla as another “great use case,” which is why it comes up—people are weighing what kind of performance car fits different needs. It’s significant because it’s become a modern benchmark for sports-car buyers who want something fun and capable.

The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup known for off-road capability and a strong manual-transmission option historically. In this segment, it’s mentioned as an example of a truck that can still be had with a manual gearbox.

“Overlander style” refers to vehicles and setups aimed at long-distance, self-supported travel—often on rough roads—rather than just short off-road runs. In this context, it’s describing off-road-oriented models that still offer manual transmissions.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a performance-focused version of the Jetta, typically positioned as a “sporty” compact sedan. The hosts are highlighting that it’s still available with a manual transmission, which is notable because many Volkswagen performance models have been moving away from manuals.

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car line known for being practical and widely used, with performance variants that attract enthusiasts. In the podcast, the speaker mentions liking GLIs and calls the Golf “cool,” which is why it’s included—there’s a preference for the Golf platform in general. It comes up often because it’s a common base for sporty trims and modifications.

The Volkswagen Golf R is the high-performance, all-weather-oriented version of the Golf. The hosts suggest it’s moving toward automatic transmissions going forward, contrasting it with the manual options that enthusiasts look for.

The Chevrolet Corvette is a long-running American sports car known for performance and a strong enthusiast following. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as something “missed” and then emphasized with repeated “no,” suggesting the host is correcting or pushing back on a point about what should be included. That kind of discussion is common because the Corvette is often a benchmark in sports-car conversations.

DCT stands for dual-clutch transmission. It uses two clutches to pre-select the next gear, so shifts can feel very fast and smooth compared with a traditional automatic.

“Loppy paddles” is a casual way of describing paddle shifters that feel a bit slow, vague, or not very crisp in how they respond. In practice, it’s about the feel of the shift action rather than a specific transmission type.

The Porsche Cayman is Porsche’s mid-engine sports coupe, known for its balanced handling and driver-focused layout. The hosts mention it as a “big one” that was missed on a list of cars that still come in manual, implying it’s relevant to the manual-transmission discussion.

A “seven-speed manual” is a manual-transmission car with seven forward gear ratios. More gears can help keep the engine in its best power/efficiency range, but it also means more shifting and a more complex shift pattern than older 5- or 6-speed manuals.

The Dodge Neon is a compact car from Chrysler’s lineup that many people remember from the late-1990s to 2000s era. In this segment, it’s mentioned as the speaker’s only automatic, contrasting with their usual manual cars.

BMW is a German automaker known for driving-focused cars, and the speaker mentions it as their other automatic. Since no model is specified, it’s mainly a brand reference in this slice.

A manual truck refers to a pickup or truck equipped with a manual gearbox rather than an automatic. The speaker is emphasizing that driving a manual truck can be especially engaging due to the extra coordination required.

EcoBoost is Ford’s branding for turbocharged gasoline engines designed to deliver strong power while improving fuel efficiency. In this context, it describes the engine family the speaker wants in a manual Bronco.

The Toyota GR Supra is a modern performance coupe known for its sporty, driver-focused character and availability with a manual transmission. The speaker specifically prefers the manual Supra over the automatic, framing it as a more “enthusiast” choice.

The Honda Civic Type R (FL5) is the latest-generation Type R in this naming scheme, known for being a high-performance front-wheel-drive hot hatch with a strong enthusiast following. The speaker calls out the FL5 Type R as another manual option they’d want.

In this context, “fanfare” means the marketing and attention manufacturers generate around offering a manual gearbox. The host argues that because it’s expected to “fit,” the manual option can become more of an enthusiast-focused headline than a genuinely new engineering challenge.

The Alpina Z8 refers to an Alpina-tuned version of the BMW Z8, which is a rare, performance-oriented roadster. The podcast mentions that the Z8 came in a manual and that “everybody knew,” suggesting they’re discussing specific details and desirability. It’s significant because Alpina builds are often sought after for their refinement and tuning compared to a standard model.

The BMW Z8 is a roadster known for its classic, enthusiast-focused character, including being offered with a manual transmission. Mentioning it alongside the Supra point is used to show that manuals have historically been part of the “fun” appeal for certain BMW models.

The BMW M3 (G80) is the current-generation M3 and is known for being a modern, high-performance sports sedan/coupe platform. In this segment, the hosts specifically talk about getting a manual-transmission version with a base-spec setup, which is notable because manuals are rare on newer M3s.

The Mazda RX-7 is famous for its rotary engine (Wankel) design, which is different from the piston engines most cars use. In this segment, the RX-7 is the car they drive often, and they’re describing a recurring issue where rocks get stuck around a protective shield area.

A heat shield is a protective panel mounted near hot components (like exhaust parts) to reduce heat transfer to surrounding areas. If rocks get caught in/against it, it can rattle and create loud, unpleasant noises while driving.

The dust shield behind the brakes is a thin metal cover near the brake rotor/caliper area that helps block dust and debris from reaching the braking surfaces. In this segment, the host corrects themselves: the noise problem is caused by rocks getting into that shield area rather than the exhaust heat shield.

“Notchy” is enthusiast slang for a shifter/gearbox that has distinct, tactile detents as you move the lever between positions. It usually means the engagement points feel crisp and defined rather than vague or rubbery.

A “gated transmission” uses a shift pattern with physical gates that guide the shifter into the correct gear positions. This typically improves precision and reduces the chance of selecting the wrong gear, which is why it’s often associated with performance cars.

In manual-transmission context, “throws” refers to the shifter travel distance between gears (how far you move the lever). Short, consistent throws are often described as “tight” or “super gated” because they make shifting feel faster and more precise.

“Driver feel” is the overall sensation and response a car gives the driver—how directly controls connect to motion, including shift quality, clutch engagement, steering feedback, and throttle response. In this context, it’s used to argue that some manufacturers try to preserve the engagement of a manual even as technology changes.

“Main transmission” here refers to the primary gear-changing hardware used to move the car (typically a conventional manual gearbox or an automatic/dual-clutch type). The speaker’s point is that as manufacturers move away from traditional manuals, the remaining “manual-like” solutions may become less meaningful.

Diesels are engines that use compression ignition rather than spark ignition, typically producing strong low-end torque and often better fuel economy. In many markets, diesel “economy cars” have been offered with manual gearboxes longer than in the U.S., which is why the speaker says Europe still has manuals in everyday vehicles.