While the market is heading full throttle towards an electric and autonomous future, we have put together a list of the best used manual transmission cars—from an 80’s-era Honda CR-X to rugged SUVs and even a Porsche—to satisfy the hearts of even the most staunch true driving enthusiasts.

Some of the best used stick shift cars you can buy include the Honda CR-X and the Toyota MR2.
If a crossover or SUV is more your speed, consider a used Isuzu Trooper and Jeep Wrangler TJ with a manual gearbox.

Honda CR-X

Model years: 1984-1991

Price used: $2,500

Edmunds rating: 4.8/5

A popular little roadster that’s a hit with gearheads and street racers alike, not to mention those fond of whipping around quiet suburban cul-de-sacs at the crack of dawn.

What you should know:

Perfect for performance driving

Well-known for being infinitely tunable, so make sure you take a look under the hood to see what’s been tinkered with before you buy

Boasts a short-throw manual transmission and weighs less than 2,000 pounds, which more than makes up for its slight 150-horsepower output

Features a 1.6 L four-cylinder engine, with 118 lb-ft of torque, going 0-60 in 7.6 seconds

MORE: How to drive stick or manual cars

Toyota MR2

Model years: 1984-1989

Price used: $4,500

Edmunds rating: N/A

Another throwback to the Brat Pack days, the MR2 was Toyota’s early (and successful) attempt at a sports car.

What you should know:

Bested both Pontiac’s Fiero and the Fiat by 0.5 and 2.5 seconds, respectively

The supercharged MR2 boasted 145 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque and offered as much power as the same era’s Ferraris

Featured a 1.5 L 4-cylinder and 1.6 L 4-cylinder engine

Went 0-60 in 6.5 seconds

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

Acura Integra

Model years: 1994-2001

Price used: $1,450 to $3,300

Edmunds rating: 4.9/5

A zippy, agile coupe from the early ’90s can still be found on the open market, in the form of the third-generation

Acura Integra

—keep an eye out for the DB-6, DB-9, DC-2, or DC-4 for the best value.

What you should know:

The Type R trim offers plenty of speed and power, going 0 to 60 in a hair over 6 seconds

Even used Integras can be pricey on the open market, so try to find a lower-end trim, such as the RS, LS, or GS

Sports a 1.8 L 4-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque

Isuzu Trooper

Model years: 1981-1991

Price used: $1,700 to $3,400

Edmunds rating: 4.2/5

The

Isuzu Trooper

is an off-roading classic balancing 4x4 chops, great fuel economy, and superb durability.

What you should know:

Features auto-locking hubs, independent front wheel suspension, and a ton of cargo space (118 cubic feet to be exact)

Can be a bit harder to find

Was offered with a 2.2 L turbo diesel, a 2.6 L 4-cylinder gas engine, and a 2.8 L turbo diesel engine

Featured 120 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque

Went 0-60 in 13.1 seconds

Jeep Wrangler TJ

Model years: 1997-2006

Price used: $2,100 to $9,600

Edmunds rating: 4.4/5

A simple yet capable sport ute ideal for sloshing through snow and mud and crushing any obstacle in its path, the TJ was offered in multiple trims to suit any budget.

What you should know:

Outfitted with a 5-speed manual transmission complemented with front and rear locking Dana 44 axles, Rock Trac 4:1 transfer case, and diamond plate rocker panels

Boasts either a 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 2.5 L 4-cylinder, or 4.0 L 6-cylinder engine

Sports 190 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque

Goes 0-60 in 8.5 seconds

Porsche Boxster

Model years: 1996-2004

Price used: $2,200 to $12,000

Edmunds rating: 4.7/5

That’s right—you can own a manual

Porsche Boxster

for a song and be the king/queen of your local Autobahn.

What you should know:

Features a flat 6-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive and 250 horsepower

Not the fastest Porsche, but features exceptional handling and impeccable balance

Look for first- or early second-generation Boxsters to get the best bang for your Deutschmark

Get your mechanic to take a look at it before you buy—these early Boxsters were known to suffer rear main seal leaks, and IMS bearing issues

Offered with a 2.5 L 6-cylinder or 2.7 L 6-cylinder engine

Goes 0-60 in 6.1 seconds

MORE:

Should I buy a sports car?

Ford Mustang

Model years: 2005-2014

Price used: $2,050 to $34,000

Edmunds rating: 4.5/5

Flex those stick-shift muscles in a muscle car: the S-197

Ford Mustang

and its throwback-yet-futuristic style, enhanced cornering chops, and a plethora of trim options.

What you should know:

The 4.8 L DOHC V8 or the 5.0 L V8 Coyote engine offer the most thrills and power—both are equipped with a standard six-speed manual

This Mustang was originally released with a 4.0 L V6 engine as well

Sports 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque

Goes 0-60 in a mind-crushing 3.5 seconds

Mini Cooper early

Model years: 2000s

Price used: $1,100 to $2,500

Edmunds rating: 4.8/5

Get your British on with a fun and funky manual transmission

Mini Cooper

What you should know:

The base models typically yield a relatively low amount of horsepower, but the spunky handling and sub-compact size make it a ball to drive

The Cooper S model comes with 200 horsepower and a turbocharged engine

You can find both 2-door hatchbacks and convertibles on the used market

Hyundai Veloster

Model years: 2011-2017

Price used: $14,000 to $22,000

Edmunds rating: 4.5/5

The

Hyundai Veloster

is a fun-to-drive hot hatch, but try to look for the Turbo—the base model merely makes commutes ‘fun’.

What you should know:

Veloster Turbo boasts extra power for a super-spritely ride, featuring 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque

Another one to get a mechanic to look at before you buy, as early Velosters were plagued by issues relating to its direct injection, turbocharged setup, combined with its small displacement

MORE:

Car insurance for used cars