Changing gears yourself was never this much fun.
Have you ever driven a stick shift car? They’re a bunch of fun — you’re more of an active participant in the driving experience.
A small but loyal group of drivers is fiercely dedicated to the manual transmission, despite the relative rarity of stick shift cars these days. They love being able to change gears, according to road conditions. They say it makes for a richer driving experience.
We agree, because we’re car people! If you’re looking for cars that are available with manual transmissions, we can help — here’s a list of the best standard transmission cars, based on available features and sales at CarMax stores from December 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018.
- Honda Civic
- Ford Focus
- Fiat 500
- Nissan Versa
- Mini Cooper
- Mazda Mazda3
- Kia Soul
- Subaru Impreza
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Dodge Challenger
If you’re looking for a fun-driving car, check out a two-seat 2015 Mini Cooper convertible (available in a six-speed manual transmission) or a neon-green 2017 Kia Soul (also available in a six-speed stick). These manual shift cars really put you in charge of your drive.
The 2014 Fiat 500 is a fun little manual-transmission car too – with a five-speed stick plus a canvas roof that folds back for extra fun in the sun. Opt for the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth version (with the available six-speed manual) and you get a turbocharged motor, a raspy, tuned exhaust note, and a wild-looking interior.
Want lots of fun? Check out a 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T. In purple. With the HEMI® V8. And, of course, the available six-speed manual. Now that’s a lot of fun!
Unless otherwise noted, information relating to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.