In a world full of silent electric cars and paddle-shifted automatics, the simple joy of rowing your own gears is becoming a lost art. But don’t worry, the stick shift isn’t dead. For 2025, there are still a handful of stick shift cars for sale that will get your pulse racing; and a few you might not expect.
These aren’t just vehicles with a manual option; they’re designed from the ground up to give you that old-school connection between driver and machine.
This list covers the full spectrum, from the truly affordable weekend toys to the high-performance track weapons. So if you’re looking for a car to make driving fun again, consider this your treasure map.
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11. 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Starting MSRP: $29,830
The Miata is the quintessential “cheap manual car” that proves less is more. For over three decades, its mission has been simple: provide the most smiles per dollar. The 181-hp engine may not look like much on a spec sheet, but in a car that weighs less than a ton and a half, it’s a perfect match.
The shifter is famously one of the best in the business; short, crisp, and so satisfying you’ll find yourself shifting just for the fun of it. Owners often say the Miata’s gearbox is so smooth they’ll row through the gears even when they don’t need to, just because it feels that good. The Miata is a masterclass in accessible, rear-wheel-drive fun.
10. 2025 Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ
Starting MSRP: $30,400 or $33,210
The dynamic duo of affordable fun. These two cars are all about a balanced, lightweight chassis that makes you feel like a hero at reasonable speeds. The naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine loves to rev, and its modest horsepower means you can wring out every gear without fear of losing your license.
The steering is direct and communicative, and the short-throw shifter is a delight to use. This isn’t a car about raw power; it’s about the pure, unadulterated joy of cornering and downshifting perfectly.
9. 2025 Toyota Tacoma
Starting MSRP: $31,590
Like the Wrangler, the Toyota Tacoma offers manual-shifting fun with a side of practicality. The six-speed manual is available on certain trims, giving you full control over the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine.
On the trail, it lets you precisely manage torque and engine braking, while on the road, it makes the experience of driving a truck far more engaging. It’s the perfect option for the adventurer who wants a three-pedal experience that goes far beyond the pavement.
8. 2025 Jeep Wrangler
Starting MSRP: $32,690
Yes, you read that right. The Jeep Wrangler is on this list because it represents a different kind of driving fun. This isn’t about 0-60 times or lap records; it’s about slow, deliberate, and incredibly tactile driving.
The six-speed manual transmission is available with the 3.6-liter V6 and lets you crawl over rocks, descend steep grades, and pick your way through difficult terrain with the utmost precision. The stick shift connects you to the trail in a way an automatic simply can’t.
7. 2025 Hyundai Elantra N
Starting MSRP: $34,350
With the hot-hatch-inspired Elantra N, Hyundai has delivered a knockout punch to the sport compact segment. This car is a mischievous troublemaker, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine making 276 hp (or up to 286 hp with N Grin Shift).
The steering is taut and direct, the chassis is playful, and the exhaust note is an absolute riot. The six-speed manual lets you be the conductor of this orchestra, making it an engaging and surprisingly comfortable daily driver that can tear up a backroad.
6. 2025 Subaru WRX
Starting MSRP: $37,750
The WRX remains a rally-bred icon for a reason. Its standard symmetrical all-wheel-drive system gives you unshakeable confidence in any weather, making it a performance machine you can actually use year-round.
While some purists may miss the old exhaust note, the manual transmission paired with the 2.4-liter turbo engine provides a potent, engaging feel. Enthusiasts appreciate that Subaru still builds a rally-bred manual car for sale you can daily drive, making it a rare mix of practicality and passion. This is a sporty sedan that you can throw into a corner and feel it claw its way out with total control.
5. 2025 Nissan Z
Starting MSRP: $42,970
The new Nissan Z feels like a love letter to the past. Its retro-inspired styling hides a potent twin-turbo V6 that pumps out 400 hp. The six-speed manual transmission offers a direct connection to that power, giving you a proper sense of control.
This is a car for those who appreciate old-school GT car swagger combined with modern-day performance. It’s a pure sports car that feels raw and connected in all the right ways.
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4. 2025 Honda Civic Type R
Starting MSRP: $45,895
The Civic Type R is a front-wheel-drive unicorn. It defies physics with its tenacious grip and sublime handling. While some might be put off by its boy-racer styling, its driving experience is pure class.
The shifter is so precise and slick it feels like a work of art, and the turbocharged engine delivers a potent punch of 329 hp. This car is all about carrying speed through corners and feeling the chassis communicate every single piece of information from the pavement to your fingertips.
3. 2025 Ford Mustang GT
Starting MSRP: $46,560
The Mustang is a slice of pure Americana. While it’s available with an automatic, the true Mustang experience is found with the six-speed manual mated to the iconic 5.0-liter Coyote V8.
With 480 hp on tap, the manual transmission lets you take full control of that glorious, naturally aspirated power. You feel the mechanical connection with every shift, and the roar of the V8 is an intoxicating soundtrack. It’s a modern muscle car that still honors its old-school roots.
2. 2025 Acura Integra Type S
Starting MSRP: $52,900
The Integra Type S is the sophisticated sibling to the Civic Type R. It shares the same magnificent 320-hp engine and close-ratio six-speed manual, but packages it in a more mature, refined design. The shifter and clutch feel are impeccable, making every gear change a pleasure.
The adaptive suspension allows it to be a comfortable daily cruiser on a Monday and a razor-sharp canyon carver on a Saturday. This is the choice for an enthusiast who wants Type R performance without the massive rear wing.
1. 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Starting MSRP: $95,595
The CT5-V Blackwing is a modern-day muscle car with a tuxedo. It’s a 668-hp, supercharged V8 beast that somehow still offers a six-speed manual transmission; a true gift to enthusiasts. This is a car that demands respect, and the manual gearbox is the ultimate tool for taming its monstrous power.
It’s a smooth, precise shifter that handles the torque with grace, and the experience of running through the gears in this American super sedan is something you’ll never forget. Many reviewers call it the last great American super sedan you can buy with a stick, which only adds to its collector appeal.