15 Quickest Manual Transmission Cars You Can Still Buy Today
I’ll never forget my first experience with a manual transmission – pushing that clutch and slamming through gears felt like a dance I was just learning.
It wasn’t pretty, but it sure was exhilarating. Now, fast forward a few years, and the art of shifting is becoming more rare, but not impossible to find.
Some cars still deliver that thrilling, hands-on driving experience, proving you can have a connection to your car while having your foot firmly on the gas.
1. Porsche 911 GT3 (992.1)
King of the manual mountain, the 911 GT3 delivers a religious experience at 9,000 RPM. The naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six screams out 502 horsepower while you work that perfect 6-speed manual.
Zero to sixty? Just 3.7 seconds if your shifting skills are up to snuff. Slower than the PDK version, sure, but who cares when you’re experiencing driving nirvana?
The GT3 proves Porsche still believes in the joy of three pedals.
2. BMW M2 (G87)
Controversial looks hide a purist’s dream machine. BMW’s compact tire-shredder packs 453 horsepower from its twin-turbo straight-six into a tidy package that feels like M cars of yesteryear.
Opt for the slick six-speed manual and you’ll hit 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds.
What makes the M2 special isn’t just straight-line speed, though—it’s how it dances through corners with that rear-wheel-drive balance only BMW seems to perfect.
3. Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
America’s middle finger to European performance sedans comes with a glorious supercharged V8 and—praise the car gods—a six-speed manual.
This 668-horsepower monster hits 60 mph in 3.6 seconds when you nail the shifts.
Behind the wheel, you’ll wonder how something this big moves this quickly. The Blackwing’s Tremec transmission offers rifle-bolt precision that makes every gear change satisfying.
Consider this the last hurrah of the American muscle sedan, and what a magnificent send-off it is.
4. Porsche 911 Carrera T (992.1)
Not everyone needs the hardcore GT3 experience. The Carrera T delivers 90% of the thrills at a considerably lower price point.
This sweet spot in the 911 lineup strips away unnecessary luxuries while keeping the driving experience pure.
With 379 horsepower and a slick seven-speed manual, you’ll hit 60 mph in about 4.3 seconds.
The shorter gear ratios and mechanical limited-slip differential make every backroad an event. Think of it as the thinking person’s 911—all the engagement without the GT3’s track-day intensity.
5. Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Baby Blackwing, big thrills! While its bigger sibling gets the V8 glory, the CT4-V Blackwing’s twin-turbo V6 pumps out 472 horsepower through one of the best manual transmissions in the business.
Zero to sixty happens in just 4.1 seconds when you’re working that six-speed. The chassis balance borders on telepathic—point it where you want to go and it simply obeys.
For drivers who prefer their sport sedans compact and agile, the CT4-V Blackwing delivers American muscle with surprising finesse.
6. BMW M4 (G82)
Forget the controversial grille—the M4’s driving experience demands your full attention.
The six-speed manual paired with the 473-horsepower twin-turbo straight-six creates automotive magic that few competitors can match.
Plant your right foot and you’ll hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds while working that satisfyingly mechanical shifter. The chassis feels alive under you, communicating every bit of road texture.
While the automatic Competition version is quicker, the standard M4 with its manual transmission delivers a purer, more engaging experience for those who know what matters.
7. Toyota GR Supra (3.0L)
Toyota finally listened! After launching with only an automatic, the Supra gained a manual option in 2023, and enthusiasts rejoiced.
The BMW-sourced turbocharged inline-six makes 382 horsepower, now properly harnessed through a satisfyingly precise six-speed.
Manual Supras hit 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds when you nail the shifts. Engineers didn’t just bolt on any transmission either—they specifically tuned this gearbox for the Supra’s character.
The clutch feels perfectly weighted, and the shifter’s action is among the best in any modern sports car.
8. BMW Z4 M40i (with Handschalter package)
BMW’s drop-top finally gets the manual it always deserved with the limited Handschalter package.
The turbo straight-six produces 382 horsepower, identical to its Supra platform-mate, but with open-air thrills added to the mix.
Expect 0-60 times around 4.3 seconds while enjoying that perfect top-down, three-pedal experience. Only 500 examples are coming to the US, making this possibly the last manual BMW roadster ever.
The Z4’s balance of comfort and performance makes it ideal for those sunlit weekend drives where the journey matters more than the destination.
9. Nissan Z
Retro looks hide thoroughly modern performance in Nissan’s twin-turbo sports car. The 400-horsepower V6 paired with a slick six-speed manual makes this one of the performance bargains of the decade.
Launch it right and you’ll hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Z’s close-ratio gearbox feels mechanical and satisfying, with perfectly spaced ratios for both street and track use.
Nissan’s heritage shines through in how the Z balances everyday usability with weekend thrills—a proper sports car that doesn’t beat you up on the daily commute.
10. Toyota GR Corolla
Rally car for the road! Toyota’s hot hatch unleashes 300 horsepower from a tiny turbocharged three-cylinder, all channeled through a snappy six-speed manual to all four wheels.
Stomp the accelerator and you’ll hit 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds. What makes the GR Corolla special isn’t straight-line speed though—it’s how it handles any road condition with unflappable confidence.
The adjustable all-wheel-drive system lets you dial in from 60/40 to 30/70 front/rear torque split, making this pocket rocket as versatile as it is fun.
11. Honda Civic Type R (FL5)
Front-wheel-drive perfection comes in the form of Honda’s track-ready hatchback.
The newest Type R packs 315 turbocharged horsepower through what might be the best manual shifter in any modern car—short throws with mechanical precision that borders on art.
Despite sending all that power through just the front wheels, it’ll hit 60 mph in 5.0 seconds flat. The Type R’s secret sauce is its limited-slip differential and brilliant chassis tuning that somehow eliminates torque steer.
Racing DNA flows through every aspect of this car, from its aerodynamics to its perfectly positioned pedals.
12. Hyundai Elantra N
Korea’s answer to the Civic Type R delivers astonishing performance at a price that makes you double-check the window sticker.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranks out 276 horsepower (286 with overboost) through a slick six-speed manual. Zero to sixty takes just 5.1 seconds when you nail the shifts.
What’s most impressive is how the Elantra N feels alive—the electronically controlled suspension adapts instantly, the limited-slip differential claws for traction, and the exhaust pops and crackles with genuine character.
13. Subaru WRX
Rally heritage lives on in Subaru’s all-wheel-drive sport compact.
The latest WRX packs a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine with 271 horsepower, sent through a satisfyingly mechanical six-speed manual to all four wheels.
Launch it right and you’ll hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. What makes the WRX special isn’t outright speed—it’s the all-weather capability that lets you attack backroads regardless of conditions.
The WRX remains the perfect car for enthusiasts who deal with snow but refuse to sacrifice driving engagement when the roads dry out.
14. Toyota GR86
Proof that horsepower isn’t everything, the GR86 delivers pure sports car thrills with its naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter boxer engine.
With 228 horsepower sent to the rear wheels through a delightful six-speed manual, every drive becomes an event.
The sprint to 60 mph takes about 5.8 seconds, but straight-line stats miss the point entirely. This car shines in the corners, where the balanced chassis and communicative steering create driving nirvana.
Toyota and Subaru’s joint project remains the spiritual successor to classic sports cars that prioritized handling and driver engagement over brute power.
15. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The lightweight champion of driving joy weighs just 2,341 pounds and makes every one of its 181 horsepower count.
Mazda’s roadster defines the pure sports car experience with its short-throw six-speed manual that feels like an extension of your body.
Despite modest power, it’ll hit 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds thanks to its featherweight construction.
The Miata’s magic lies in how it makes every drive feel special, whether you’re attacking a mountain pass or just running errands.
Over a million sold worldwide proves that Mazda’s formula—lightweight, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission—remains the purest expression of driving pleasure.