When it comes to driving, nothing gives a better sense of engagement and full control of a car than having to shift the gears manually. For a long time. The third pedal and stick were thought to have been a trait heading for extinction, but recent trends show that more people are coming around and opting for a manual transmission. On the other hand, Porsche is one of those manufacturers that, for what seems to be forever, are considered one of the companies that make the best sports cars. You probably don’t need us to tell you that Porsche has a lot of traditions in motorsports and building high-performance vehicles.
Despite what some may call controversial beginnings, there is no denying Porsche engineers have continuously given us some of the most capable high-performance machines money can buy. They are also some of the most visceral and part of that has to do with Porsche still offering a manual transmission on almost all versions of its 911 and 718 models. When we talk about manual Porsches, fans of the brand will quickly point out the magnificent Carrera GT. That one is no longer in production, but these 10 manual Porsches still are.
10 Porsche 718 T
The Porsche 718 Cayman T may be the entry-level model in the brand’s sports car lineup, but this makes it, in no way, a bad choice. The 718 T adds a more aggressive version of Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) and lowers the ride height compared to the non-T model. Whether it’s in Cayman or Boxster form, the T comes with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged flat-four, which was a divisive subject when first introduced on the 982 generations.
Some Porsche fanatics still think it was a mistake to offer it while others think the entry-level Porsche should have always come with a flat-four. Nevertheless, its 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet (380 Nm) allow the mid-engine Porsche to manage a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 4.9 seconds with the six-speed manual. Prices start from $69,950.
9 Porsche 718 S
If you are in need of more power than what the base 718 provides but still want a six-speed manual, the Porsche 718 Cayman S and Boxster S are the next steps within the 718 model range. Almost all engine options are available in both the Cayman (coupe) and roadster (Boxster) variants. The letter “S” behind “718” implies a 2.5-liter, turbocharged flat-four is powering the mid-engine Porsche.
The unit provides 350 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm). The 718 S boasts a curb weight of 2,987 pounds (1,335 kg), which contributes to a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds. Meanwhile, the top speed is 177 mph (285 km/h) – an upgrade over the base model’s 170 mph (275 km/h) top speed. Prices start from $81,950 for the 718 Cayman S.
8 Porsche 911 Carrera S/4S
With the Porsche 992, the base 911 comes exclusively with the eight-speed PDK. The same goes for the Carrera 4, which adds all-wheel drive to the base model. If you want a third pedal, you have to opt for the 911 Carrera which has the “S” designation. Here, you also get more power – 450 horsepower compared to the base 911’s 385. More importantly, you get a seven-speed manual transmission.
Moreover, it is a no-cost option and allows the Carrera S to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 4.0 seconds – a full second off the PDK-equipped Carrera S. While this showcases just brilliant Porsche’s PDK is, the manual 992 Carrera S still packs plenty of performance.
7 Porsche 718 GTS 4.0
The GTS trim is said to be the perfect compromise between the base Porsche models and the range-topping variants. Porsche’s mid-engine 718 is no exception. Typically, manufacturers go the downsizing route, but Porsche did something different with the 718 GTS. In 2020, the 2.5-liter, turbocharger flat-four was ditched in favor of a 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated flat-six with 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm).
The Boxster version is simply called the "4.0". The high-revving engine could be had with a PDK or with a six-speed manual. With the stick, 60 mph (97 km/h) is reached in 4.3 seconds – 0.5 slower than with the PDK. Part of the reason for that is the typical Porsche, very long gear ratios, which is a clever way of dealing with those pesky noise regulations, of which automatics seem to be exempt.
6 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS/4S
The GTS trim returned for the 992 generation in 2021, with just enough styling cues to set it apart from the more base 911 Carrera models. Redesigned front apron, lightweight, center-lock wheels, and clear taillights are the only exterior features that set the Porsche 911 GTS apart. Naturally, this also applies to the Cabriolet and Targa body styles of the 992 GTS.
In this guise, the 3.0-liter, twin-turbo flat-six packs 480 horsepower and 420 pound-feet (570 Nm). Like all 992 models, the manual transmission has seven, forward gear ratios. Both the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive versions sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.9 seconds. With a starting price of $138,050, the Porsche 992 Carrera GTS sits firmly in the middle of the 911 lineup.
5 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4/Spyder 4.0
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is, quite simply, the most extreme version of the sports car, you could get with a manual. The 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated flat-six provides 420 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm). With a redline of 8,000 RPM, the GT4’s flat-six revs 1,000 RPM lower than the 911 GT3 engine.
The open-top, 718 Spyder 4.0 is the only other version of the mid-engine Porsche that can be ordered with this engine. Both the Cayman GT4 and Spyder 4.0, can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a 3.89 final drive. Keeping the high-revving unit in the sweet spot requires work, but even so 60 mph (97 km/h) happens in 4.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 189 mph (304 km/h).
4 Porsche 911 Carrera T
The base 992 Carrera is fast enough for most people with its 385 horsepower and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm). What the Carrera T does is it takes the base Carrera and turns it into a baby GT3. It also gives you the option of a seven-speed manual, which allows you to hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.3 seconds.
You also get some weight reduction in the form of thinner glass, less sound deadening, and a smaller battery, turning this into the lightest 992 you can buy – 3,254 pounds (1,476 kg). The Carrera T also gets exclusive “Carrera T” graphics on the side and badging at the rear, making it stand out from the base Carrera. At $118,050, the Carrera T sits between the Carrera 4 ($114,850) and Carrera S ($124,550).
3 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
The fact of the matter is, if you want a car that goes, sounds, and feels like a 911 GT3, you should get a 911 GT3. But why are we talking specifically about the Touring model? We always like to refer to the GT3 and GT3 RS as all-out track weapons, built for breaking lap time records. When it comes to that, the PDK has no equal, especially when paired with aggressive aero.
The 911 GT3 Touring is more of a fun toy, you take to the twisties, which is why the wingless version of the car needs to be the seven-speed manual. The 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated flat-six revs to 9,000 RPM while delivering 510 horsepower and 347 pound-feet (470 Nm). If you opt for the third pedal, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) happens in 3.7 seconds.
2 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
Since the 993, all Porsche 911 Turbo models send power to all four wheels. The Porsche 992 Sport Classic takes a “back to the future” approach. This is the second time Porsche is giving us a 911 Sport Classic, with the first one being based on the 997 Carrera GTS. This 992 interpretation is based on the Porsche 911 Turbo.
There are a few key changes, however, and they are not limited to the classic design cues like the racing number and ducktail rear spoiler. The 992 Turbo’s 3.7-liter, twin-turbo flat-six has been detuned to 550 horsepower and 442 pound-feet (600 Nm). Power also goes to the rear wheels only and exclusively through a seven-speed manual. Even so, the 992 Sport Classic manages 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.9 seconds.
1 Porsche 718 4.5 DeMan
The last manual Porsche on this list feels like a bit of a cheat since it’s not a car that’s readily available. DeMan Motorsports is a company with over 25 years of motorsports experience and in order to get their 718 treatment, you need any 718 that comes with the 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated flat-six. The company bores and strokes the engine to 4.5 liters and replaces the internals with stronger ones.
The end result is a dyno-verified 507 rear-wheel horsepower, which after adjusting for powertrain loss comes up to 560 at the crankshaft. Peak torque is an impressive 438 pound-feet (594 Nm), most of which are available from 3,000 RPM. DeMan Motorsports has also changed the ratio on gears two through five in order to keep the engine in the sweet spot for longer. Really, this is a baby Carrera GT.