The Cheapest New Cars With a Stick Shift
Manually shifting gears and working a clutch are talents that are fast fading from the American motoring experience. Once common on every new car, manual transmissions are becoming a rarity, even a luxury. But you should be able to enjoy the fun of a stick shift without paying exotic car prices. That’s why we have compiled this list of the cheapest manual cars available new. All of these cars are under $40,000, and we rank them from cheapest to most expensive.
1. 2024 Volkswagen Jetta
Cheapest Price With Manual: $22,660
The base Volkswagen Jetta S comes standard with a 158-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The stick shift is also standard in GLI models. The GLI features a 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine.
2. 2024 Kia Forte
Cheapest Price With Manual: $25,390
The sporty Forte GT trim features a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. It’s the only trim that offers a stick shift, but you’ll have to pay an extra $700 to swap out the GT’s standard automatic transmission.
3. 2024 Mini Cooper
Cheapest Price With Manual: $25,800
The Mini Cooper is available with a manual transmission again after dropping it for 2020. The manual is available on every trim level.
4. 2024 Honda Civic
Cheapest Price With Manual: $26,350
The Civic Sport Hatchback features a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. It makes 180 horsepower. The high-performance Civic Si boasts a 200-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, and a stick is the only option. Same with the fantastic 315-hosepower Type R.
5. 2024 Toyota GR86
Cheapest Price With Manual: $28,400
The spry Toyota 86 isn’t the most powerful car in its class, but it’s plenty of fun to drive. It draws 228 horsepower from a flat-4 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 86 stands out for its agility and responsive steering.
6. 2024 Mazda Miata
Cheapest Price With Manual: $28,985
The Mazda Miata features a 181-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Mazda upgraded the car’s horsepower for the 2019 model year, so earlier versions aren’t as powerful. You can also get the sleek RF hardtop convertible with a manual.
7. 2024 Subaru BRZ
Cheapest Price With Manual: $30,195
The Subaru BRZ stands out for its agility and responsive steering. It isn’t the most powerful car in its class, but it’s plenty of fun to drive. Its flat-4 engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and puts down 228 horsepower.
8. 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback
Cheapest Price With Manual: $30,350
You can only get a stick shift in the Mazda3 by choosing the Premium hatchback trim, which comes with a 186-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Fans hoping for a manual with the turbo Mazda3 will have to settle for less power in order to get a stick.
9. 2024 Subaru WRX
Cheapest Price With Manual: $30,605
The base Subaru WRX includes a 271-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 6-speed manual transmission, and AWD. Available used, the high-performance WRX STI only comes with a manual. It has a more potent 310-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-4.
10. 2024 Chevrolet Camaro
Cheapest Price With Manual: $30,900
All Chevrolet Camaro trims come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. The base model has a 335-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. If that’s not enough, step up to the 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 (LT1 and SS) or the 650-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (ZL1).
11. 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI & R
Cheapest Price With Manual: $31,965
With a standard 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Golf GTI isn’t the most powerful hatchback on sale, but it’s a well-rounded option. The peppy engine has an excellent throttle response and offers enjoyable acceleration. We’re fans of the smooth manual transmission and nimble handling. The Golf R trim bumps the horsepower to 315.
12. 2024 Jeep Wrangler
Cheapest Price With Manual: $31,995
Jeep’s iconic Wrangler comes standard with a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and a 6-speed manual transmission.
13. 2024 Hyundai Elantra
Cheapest Price With Manual: $32,900
The Hyundai Elantra has evolved from a frugal economy car a decade ago into one of the top entrants among small sedans. It has poised handling and a lineup of engines that offer solid acceleration, especially the 276-horsepower engine in the Elantra N, which comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.
14. 2024 Acura Integra
Cheapest Price With Manual: $36,800
The Integra is available with two engines, and both have a 6-speed manual option. If you’re interested in the 200-horsepower base engine, look for the A-Spec trim. The 320-horsepower Type S is the enthusiast’s choice, though it’s pricey.
Shopping for a Cheap Used Car With a Manual Transmission
If you’re looking to save some cash and/or choose from a wider selection of stick-shift-equipped cars than you’ll find in the new-car market these days, be sure to check out our extensive Used Car Listings, all of which come with a free Carfax Vehicle History Report.
Next Steps
How We Ranked These Cheap Manual Cars
We chose every new car available with a manual transmission for under $40,000, then ranked them by their combination of price and fun.
If you have questions about this story, please contact us at Editors@carfax.com
