The cars most deserving of a manual transmission 

by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 12/03/2017 at 23:08

Tags: Manuél ; Manual ; Subaru svx ; Volvo V90 ; Dodge Charger ; Hellcat ; Mazda miata ; Alfa Romeo
STARS: 6

Because rowing your own will always be a joyous occasion, no matter how archaic it becomes.

In no particular order, here are the first few that come to mind.

Subaru SVX

A quirky Japanese halo car that was a complete 180° for the manufacturer, and can be found in good shape for less than a beat up Miata. All it needs is a manual.

Dodge Charger

In the upper trims at least, the Charger is a damn fine looking vehicle. While the underpinnings may not have changed much, let’s give Dodge some credit for yearly exterior changes that actually improved the look, unlike other manufacturers, *cough* Mustang *cough* BRZ. Sorry... Allergies. A Charger doesn’t look like the razer-sharp track weapon that is the CTS-V, nor is it similar to the bland-as-bath-water Chevy SS. Instead, it find a perfect balance safely in between.

Alfa Romeo 4c

Of all the brands to out-Lotus Lotus, I never would have expected Alfa. This car is damn-near unlivable for sane enthusiasts, but that’s what makes it so wonderful! Lightweight, loud, a very charismatic engine, and handling prowess that as a Miata owner I don’t want to talk about, it sports looks that put supercars to shame and a price that’s surprisingly reasonable for what it is. The thought of rowing your own gears in a 4c should be enough to get you drooling.

Volvo V90

Does a manual fit with the character of this fine wagon? No, it doesn’t. Even so, it’s impossible to deny the tingly feelings that present themselves upon thoughts of a six-speed transmission shoved into the best looking wagon currently for sale. Would be a great match with the twin-charged four cylinder... Come on Volvo. Make it happen.

Honorable mentions to the current CTS-V, the new Stinger, Audi TT-RS, current R8, and every single sporty Lexus on sale today.

What are your thoughts Oppo? Agree? Disagree?What auto-only car would you find most deserving of a manual, or manual-only car deserving of an autobox if you’re into that?

Replies (47)

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
12/03/2017 at 23:13, STARS: 5

Well really, Subaru already has you covered if you want a bizarre, flat 6 powered coupe with a manual

However, I’m sure many people have swapped an SVX.

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
12/03/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 1

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/03/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 0

I would love to get my hands on an xt as well! Although I can’t remember ever seeing one, whereas I probably see one or two SVX’s a month. Yep, can confirm. I’ve read many build threads with Manual swaps. There are even a couple local to me

" " (a7rrows)
12/03/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 1

How about the car from the brand that promised to save manuals and lied.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/03/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 1

A wonderful car from what I’ve seen and heard... but if I’m being completely honest, it’s a total letdown for me personally. A manual wouldn’t change that.

One original NSX, please!

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/03/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 0

Does Aston not offer any manuals? That’s a shame...

" " (a7rrows)
12/03/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 2

EDIT: A manual Vantage is coming apparently. http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a13812520/

Nothing was said about it at launch and I assumed it was one of those things that would be swept under the rug quietly.

"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
12/03/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 2

/AMG

Especially the the 6.3L V8.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/03/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 1

I feel like most modern Mercedes are suited to a smooth auto that you don’t even notice.

But there are some interesting ones with a stick, if you go back far enough. With a straight six at least. Maybe a certain PNW Oppo will come by and grace us with his Mercedes knowledge for other available manual AMG’s

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
12/03/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 1

It’s probably a much different car without the hybrid stuff, which is the only way a manual could work (they said themselves the hybrid system isn’t compatible with one for some reason).

"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
12/03/2017 at 23:41, STARS: 0

For sure most MB’s are better suited with an automatic (any V12 AMG), but some be great (C63) be great with a manual.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/03/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 0

As long as I don’t have to pay for tires, I’m fully in support of a manual c63

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/03/2017 at 23:54, STARS: 0

I had this exact car it was amazing! I set a speed record from Sacramento to Missoula in the winter in my XT. Ended up being a huge money pit and I needed something I could rely on so I got rid of it and bought a bug eyed Impreza.

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
12/04/2017 at 00:03, STARS: 2

I really want one. And I kinda want to put it on bags with crazy 80s graphics because just look at the thing.

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
12/04/2017 at 00:04, STARS: 0

I can’t say I’ve ever seen an XT either.

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/04/2017 at 00:06, STARS: 0

You know these cars come stock with really unreliable air suspension? This was the last straw for me, the pump died and I just didn’t want to put another 1,000 into it and do a coil over swap.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/04/2017 at 00:10, STARS: 3

You know what needs to be done

"Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru" (matt-powershiftmedia)
12/04/2017 at 00:11, STARS: 1

I’ll make this really easy.

All AMG cars.

All Jaguar XJRs

The E38 750iL

"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
12/04/2017 at 00:12, STARS: 2

Subaru has put a 6MT WRX STi box in one but they won’t offer it as an option.

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
12/04/2017 at 00:15, STARS: 0

I admittedly don’t know much about these but that’s a cool tidbit. Also means there’s room for a modern compressor and tank i assume

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
12/04/2017 at 00:21, STARS: 2

Funny you should say that. I actually made that paint design for the SVX in Forza Horizon 3 at the suggestion of DaftRyosuke. And then it turned into the livery I’ve put on all my drift cars. This is my current phone wallpaper

"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
12/04/2017 at 00:36, STARS: 6

1) Anything which is supposed to be a fun drive should be offered in MT, because MTs are fun. Of course nobody would actually buy the manual one, because people are lazy

2) conversely, the FoST, and all other hot hatches (lookin’ at you, Renault), should come with a DSG option. VW have proven it can be done right. Hot hatches are about fun AND practicality; about having your cake and eating it too. For plenty of people who can only have one car and need it 99% of the time for the daily grind, an MT is an impracticality too far. Save “MT only” for the playtime-first cars.

3) On which note, Miatas and BRZs shouldn’t be offered in auto. Go hard or go home.

"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
12/04/2017 at 00:49, STARS: 1

All vehicles deserve to live their lives as MANUÉL if they so choose.

"unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)" (unclevanos)
12/04/2017 at 00:53, STARS: 1

E38 swb or lwb with the M60 or M62B44 (non-vanos). That v8 deserves a manual.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/04/2017 at 01:04, STARS: 1

I agree with all of this.

Wait. NC Miatas can have automatics

"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
12/04/2017 at 01:11, STARS: 0

The ND RF as well. The horror, etc.

"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb)
12/04/2017 at 01:13, STARS: 1

USDM Land Cruisers, the CH-R, every and any Camry, IS-F (1st gen), Infiniti QX4, and the Infiniti M30.

"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
12/04/2017 at 01:51, STARS: 1

Can I get an honorable mention for the 3 Series Gran Coupe? The best looking 3 series doesn’t get a manual.

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
12/04/2017 at 02:23, STARS: 1

So, why do I have to forgo the bigger wheels and tires, body kit, Bluetooth, trip computer, heated seats, remote start, sunroof, fog lights, 6-disc changer, leather, HID lights, etc. so on and so forth just because I happen to live in the US and want to shift for myself? I’m happy that I have a Mazda5 with the 6MT, but I would like to have a few of the missing items from the factory instead of having to source and install them myself.

"marshknute" (marshknute)
12/04/2017 at 03:32, STARS: 1

Forester XT (aka longroof WRX)

Stinger GT

Huayra and Aventador: if you don’t have the money/foresight to build a proper dual clutch, just go with a gated manual and add to the experience.

"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
12/04/2017 at 04:11, STARS: 0

You can actually get a new V90 with a manual, but only on the two lower powered diesel engine options.

"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
12/04/2017 at 05:11, STARS: 0

So, ultimately, it being fundamentally incompatible with a manual is hogwash. You’d leave a lot of performance on the table with one, but fundamentally, the rear hybrid system is just an updated version of Honda’s IMA. As far as the transmission’s concerned, the engine just looks like it has a far stronger low-end (requiring a beefier clutch) and a bit more top-end.

So, here’s where you lose performance:

The typical slower shifting of a manual compared to a DCT

Fewer ratios and the performance issues that that presents

No torque filling from the front motors during shifting, unless you have a no-lift shift program that can keep deploying power to those wheels

You do also lose a lot of efficiency from not being in the optimal gear (too short of a gear means the engine is running at sub-optimal BSFC and must be sent into the battery... until the battery’s full, then fuel is just wasted, whereas too tall of a gear means insufficient power and the battery must help out... until the battery’s depleted), but the engine has enough power that the battery being depleted isn’t the end of the world for drivability (and you could pull power off of the engine with the rear MGU, and send it to the front MGUs, if you’re traction-limited). And, Honda had a solution for that on the Insight, Civic, and CR-Z with a manual, upshift and downshift lights:

"AkursedX" (akursedx)
12/04/2017 at 07:39, STARS: 1

Seriously. P71's are awesome when you can row your own gears. Especially if you swap a 5.4 in while you’re doing it.

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
12/04/2017 at 08:53, STARS: 0

I actually wonder if SVXs are so cheap in part because of the lack of a manual.

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
12/04/2017 at 09:12, STARS: 0

What is it with Japanese automakers not offering manuals in wagons? Honda was the same way with the Accord/TSX. After 1995, the manual option was dropped from the Accord wagon here in the US, and it was never available in the TSX wagon here (nor anywhere outside Europe), and none of the JDM Accord wagons in between those were sold with a manual.

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
12/04/2017 at 09:14, STARS: 0

Yeah, I was always skeptical about that. I think the performance benefits that you’d lose from the current system would be balanced out by the car being much lighter.

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
12/04/2017 at 09:24, STARS: 1

I don’t know if it’s currently deserving, but it made me very sad when the Maxima lost its manual transmission...

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/04/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 1

I miss the days when the Maxima and Sentra were genuinely fun to wring out

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
12/04/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 0

4DSC no more.

"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
12/04/2017 at 10:55, STARS: 0

Eh, I wouldn’t expect it to be much lighter than the DCT.

Unless you mean, lighter without any hybrid system, which would certainly change the dynamics of the car, in some ways for the better (much lighter), in some ways worse (no AWD, for instance).

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
12/04/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 0

Yeah, I meant without the hybrid system. It’d probably behave more like an old NSX with a turbo kit.

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/04/2017 at 15:13, STARS: 1

I like this sentiment. Choice is what is most important to me. I want to choose to have a manual. I dont want to be stuck with one. And being forced to choose a particular model just to get one is not really a choice. I have just written off cars entirely from existence because they do not come in manual. But I could very well understand why a FOST would be great with a DSG. But then again I 100% see why companies do what they do. It makes no sense economically any other way. Auto enthusiasts have to be the loser in that fight. We just need to be lucky there are ANYTHING interesting still produced, manual or not.

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/04/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 2

Its okay, NCs arent Miatas. I wave at all other Miatas, I have even done this by accident while driving my STi. But NCs NEVER EVER wave back!

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/04/2017 at 17:44, STARS: 0

Yep. NC owners are much less likely to wave. Hell, I’ve probably gotten more waves from Fiata owners.

Unfortunately as an NB owner, you’re not in the inner circle of headlight popping! Truly the best wave

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/04/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 0

I concur, it is unfortunate. I can only blink my fog lights or just use the high beams. I nearly did buy an NA SOLELY because I wanted popups. I eventually wised up and decided that cannot be the only factor I choose a car on lol.

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/04/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 0

It is mildy annoying having to choose between light and forward visibility. Those pop-ups take up a lot of space when you’re sitting low lol

"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
12/05/2017 at 03:07, STARS: 1

“that cannot be the only factor I choose a car on lol.”

As an ex X1/9 owner, I dispute that view.