Driving enthusiasts may account for just a fraction of the overall automotive market, but luckily, automakers have not given up on making cars that are meant to bring a smile on your face. While modern automatics are, in many cases, quicker and more refined compared to their “slush-box” predecessors, they can’t match the engagement that comes with having a manual transmission. Shifting gears yourself with a third pedal and a stick is a dying art, but luckily, we are noticing a recurring trend in popularity.
While it’s anybody’s guess how long it will last, there’s no denying that some of the best driver’s cars have been offered with a manual transmission. These models vary quite a bit in terms of performance, ranging from compact, inline-four roadsters to V-12 grand tourers. With that said, certain enthusiast cars have achieved legendary status and when it comes to performance vehicles that allow you to shift the gears yourself, you absolutely need to drive these, at least once in your lifetime.
10 Honda S2000
The Japanese roadster seems to have almost all the ingredients on paper. It’s lightweight, compact, and has a nimble chassis while having a naturally-aspirated, 2.0 and 2.2-liter high-revving engine with up to 242 horsepower. Mated exclusively to a six-speed manual, the Honda S2000 could sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.8 seconds.
Earlier versions that came with the smaller, 2.0-liter unit can rev to 9,000 RPM while facelift models only reach 8,200 RPM and were geared set up more for comfort although still sharp. The engine was entirely behind the front axle, giving the S2000 a front mid-ship layout and a 50:50 weight distribution. Not much is happening below 6,500 RPM and keeping the high-revving engine in the sweet spot requires a lot of shifting, but that’s part of the fun.
9 BMW M3 E92
Given BMW’s dedication to making the ultimate driving machine, there has to be at least one M-car here. We chose the M3 E92, first, because you are probably tired of seeing the E46 M3 on these lists, and second because it’s an upgrade in every aspect. Its 4.0-Liter S65 V-8 is a shortened version of the E60 M5’s Formula One-derived V-10.
Sadly, it shares much of the same troubles, but with 414 horsepower, 295 pound-feet (400 Nm), and rev-happy character, it’s hard not to want to drive one. Not to mention, the balanced chassis, which allows the E92 M3 to be both a capable grand tourer and an engaging performance car. If you get a six-speed manual, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) happens in 4.7 seconds.
8 Dodge Viper
When it comes to raw driving experience, it doesn’t get more brutal than an early Dodge Viper. Conceived in the late 1980s as a modern-day Shelby Cobra, this venomous snake was the brainchild of Lee Iacocca, Bob Lutz, and Carroll Shelby, with chief engineer, Roy Sjolberg and a selected team of 85 engineers, dubbed “Team Viper”, executing the task.
The result was a basic car with an 8.0-liter V-10, derived from a truck engine, lots of torque, and absolutely no safety systems. The 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) was possible in 4.4 seconds, but the car was actively trying to kill you – a trait that remained throughout the Viper’s entire production cycle. Early models didn’t even have side windows and door handles, so driving a Viper was more like a sensory overload.
7 Lotus Exige Cup 430
When it comes to basic sports cars, few companies do it as well as Lotus. The Elise is a perfect example, but life is short, so why not go for its bigger brother, the Exige? It is, essentially, an Elise that swaps the four-banger for a supercharged V-6. In its top trim, it produces 430 horsepower while weighing 2,409 pounds (1,093 kg).
This lightness combined with a low center of gravity and a mid-engine layout, allow for supercar-like driving dynamics, including a 3.2-second 0 to 60 mph time. Apart from ABS and traction control, there were no other safety features to speak of.The only available transmission is a six-speed manual, and it offers one of the most mechanical driving experiences ever on a modern car.
6 Aston Martin V-12 Vantage V600
We are being very specific here, because this is the ultimate V-12 Aston Martin with a manual transmission. There are lesser, more accessible versions of the car, but the highly-limited V600 combines the old, 5.9-liter, naturally-aspirated V-12 with a seven-speed, dog-leg manual transmission.
This was also the most powerful version of the old V-12, making 592 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm). With power going exclusively to the rear wheels, 0 to 60 mph was possible in 3.4 seconds, on to a top speed of over 200 mph (322 km/h). Sadly, you have to know someone important if you want to drive one, as only 14 examples of this ultimate Vantage have been made.
5 Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Touring
On your pilgrimage to driving the best manual-equipped cars, you need to drive at least one 911. When it comes to the newer generation of rear-engine Porsches, it doesn’t get a lot more visceral than the 992 GT3 Touring. The wingless GT3 is essentially a sleeper Porsche that is best paired with the seven-speed manual since it isn’t as track-oriented as the winged version.
The 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated flat-six sings to 9,000 RPM and packs 503 horsepower and 347 pound-feet (470 Nm). The gear ratios are long, which is part of Porsche’s clever tactic to avoid noise regulations, so you’ll need to do some shifting in order to keep the engine in the sweet spot. The 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) happens in 3.7 seconds while the top speed is 199 mph (320 km/h).
4 Audi R8 V-10
The Audi R8 was introduced back in 2006, but its story is coming to an end after 2024, when Audi promises a new, all-electric halo car. The R8 was always a well-sorted supercar that shares much of its hardware with the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracan models.
The first-generation of the mid-engine sports car was also available with a six-speed manual that was praised for having some of the most satisfying to use, gated shifters. The most powerful manual R8 you could get was the R8 Plus. Its 5.2-liter, naturally-aspirated V-10 packs 542 horsepower and 398 pound-feet (540 Nm). Offered exclusively with Quattro all-wheel drive, the 0 to 60 mph took 3.6 seconds on to a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h).
3 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi
Every car enthusiast should drive a classic American Muscle car at least once in their lifetime, so why not go for one of the best? The 1968 to 1970 Dodge Charger has been immortalized in cinema, thanks to movies like Bullit, The Dukes of Hazard, Deathproof, and other iconic blockbusters. By far, the most exciting of all were (and still are) the 426 Hemi-equipped cars.
The 7.0-liter pushrod V-8 was dubbed “the Elephant” due to its size. It was a racing engine adapted for road use. It was also underrated at 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet (664 Nm). The robust four-speed manual allowed for a 4.9-second 0 to 60 mph sprint and a quarter-mile time of 13.5 seconds.
2 Ferrari F355
The 1995 to 1999 Ferrari F355 is largely considered as, both one of the greatest and last, old-school Ferraris ever made. After it, everything became rounder, softer, and the pop-up headlights were gone for good. It was a big improvement over its predecessor, the 348, in terms of build quality, reliability, and performance. Its 3.5-liter, flat-plane V-8 introduced a five-valve head – three inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder – and produced up to 375 horsepower.
This was also the first Ferrari to offer the dreaded F1 robotized manual. Naturally, the gated, six-speed manual is the more sought-after variant. The car could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). If taken care of, the F355 is also one of the most reliable Ferraris you can buy.
1 Porsche Carrera GT
If you are good friends with someone who owns one of the 1,270 examples of Carrera GT, you have the chance to drive one of the last analog supercars ever built. Porsche engineers, in their limitless wisdom, decided to incorporate a Le Mans, V-10 racing engine in the lightweight, mid-engine supercar, pair it with a six-speed manual and install no safety features apart from ABS.
The result was a car that required you to be absolutely focused to get the max out of it, and walk away intact. The 5.7-liter, high-revving unit was good for 612 horsepower and 435 pound-feet (590 Nm) while producing one of the most intoxicating soundtracks. Even with a tricky anti-stall system, 0 to 60 mph was possible in 3.4 seconds.