For decades, the manual transmission was a rite of passage for enthusiasts. It was the simplest, purest connection between the driver and the machine. A clutch pedal and a shifter gave you full control over the rhythm of acceleration and the soundtrack of the engine. Today, however, the manual is almost extinct in the high horsepower segment. Automatics and dual clutch transmissions have taken over, offering lightning quick shifts and better efficiency. Manufacturers argue that modern gearboxes make cars faster, but for drivers who care about involvement more than tenths of a second, the stick shift remains sacred. In North America, only a small group of high output machines still offer it, keeping alive an experience that is vanishing quickly.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
The Ford Mustang has always stood tall as a car for the people, and the new Dark Horse shows that Ford hasn’t forgotten enthusiasts who still want to shift for themselves. With its naturally aspirated 5.0 liter Coyote V8 producing just over 500 horsepower, the Dark Horse is one of the most powerful stick shift pony cars ever built. Paired with a six speed Tremec manual, the car feels raw in a way no automatic can replicate. On the road, the engine revs freely and delivers power smoothly, while the shifter has a mechanical heft that connects you directly to the drivetrain. At the track, it rewards drivers who know how to balance clutch and throttle. In a world where rivals are disappearing, the Mustang keeps the flame alive by pairing modern engineering with old school thrills.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 represents one of the last muscle cars to truly embrace outrageous horsepower with a manual option. Its 6.2 liter supercharged V8 makes 650 horsepower, enough to embarrass exotic cars costing twice as much. While many buyers opt for the lightning quick automatic, the six speed manual is still available, and it transforms the ZL1 into something special. Shifting gears yourself makes the experience more visceral, especially when dealing with that much torque. On a straight highway run, the ZL1 with a manual feels like a throwback to the golden age of Detroit muscle—brutal, loud, and unapologetically old fashioned in the best way possible. With the Camaro’s future uncertain, this model stands as one of the last great American muscle machines for purists.
Dodge Challenger Hellcat
If one car has defined the outrageous horsepower war of the last decade, it is the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. With a supercharged 6.2 liter HEMI V8 producing over 700 horsepower, the Hellcat has become a cultural icon. While most buyers choose the automatic to maximize straight line performance, Dodge still offered it with a six speed manual, and that option is what cements its status among enthusiasts. Shifting gears while trying to tame more than 700 horsepower is a rare and thrilling experience. It demands skill and respect, and when you get it right, the rewards are enormous. As Dodge transitions into an electrified future, the manual Hellcat is destined to be remembered as the last outrageous expression of muscle car insanity.
Cadillac CT5 V Blackwing
Perhaps the most surprising entry on this list is the Cadillac CT5 V Blackwing. In an era where luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have abandoned manual transmissions in favor of automatics and dual clutches, Cadillac went the opposite direction. The Blackwing is a rear wheel drive super sedan with a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 producing 668 horsepower, and it comes standard with a six speed manual transmission. For drivers who want the best of both worlds—luxury and high performance with the involvement of a stick shift—the CT5 V Blackwing is unmatched. It is the kind of car no one expected Cadillac to build, and it has become an instant legend because it proves there is still room in the market for driver involvement at the highest level.
Porsche 911 GT3
Few manufacturers understand driving purity as well as Porsche, and the 911 GT3 is proof that manuals still belong in elite sports cars. With its naturally aspirated 4.0 liter flat six producing more than 500 horsepower and revving to 9,000 rpm, the GT3 is one of the most exhilarating cars on sale today. While the dual clutch PDK transmission is quicker, Porsche still offers the GT3 with a six speed manual because they know enthusiasts demand it. Shifting through the gears as the engine screams toward redline is a religious experience for purists. It is rare to find a car with such advanced engineering that still respects the old ways, and the GT3 stands as a symbol of what true driver’s cars are all about.
Aston Martin Vantage AMR
At the luxury end of the spectrum, Aston Martin has kept the manual dream alive with the Vantage AMR. Equipped with a twin turbocharged V8 producing over 500 horsepower, the AMR pairs it with a seven speed manual gearbox. It is an unusual setup, but one that adds to the sense of occasion when driving. The gearbox may not be the quickest, but the feeling of working it through the gears in a car with such presence is unmatched. Limited production numbers make it a rare sight, but it remains one of the last European exotics to combine genuine horsepower with a clutch pedal. For collectors, it has already become a future classic because of its rarity and uniqueness.
BMW M3 and M4
BMW has been one of the few European brands to keep offering manuals in its high performance cars. The standard versions of the M3 and M4 still come with a six speed manual paired to a twin turbocharged inline six engine producing 473 horsepower. In an age where competitors from Audi and Mercedes have gone exclusively automatic, BMW has carved out a niche for purists who still want to row their own gears. The manual M3 and M4 are slightly slower on paper than their automatic siblings, but that hardly matters to the enthusiasts who buy them. For those drivers, involvement is more important than outright numbers, and BMW understands that.
Toyota GR Supra 3.0
The Toyota Supra has always been a name tied to performance, but when the new generation launched, fans were disappointed to find it only came with an automatic. Toyota listened, and the GR Supra 3.0 is now available with a six speed manual. Its turbocharged inline six makes 382 horsepower, and while that number is lower than the others on this list, the experience of driving it with a clutch pedal puts it firmly among modern driver’s cars. The manual Supra feels lighter on its feet, more playful, and more engaging, exactly what enthusiasts were hoping for. It may not be the highest horsepower car here, but it represents the same spirit—a refusal to let the manual die.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
