The manual transmission is becoming less and less common in the automotive world and most enthusiasts aren’t happy about it. To make matters worse, of the manual gearboxes that do still exist, there are a few out there that actually diminish the driving experience. Today, we’re asking which new sports car has the worst of them all.
It’s worth noting two important things as we kick this question of the day off. First, the list of available new sports cars with a manual transmission is pretty short. We’re talking about the Toyota GR86 and its Subaru BRZ twin, the Ford Mustang, the Porsche 718 and 911, the Lotus Emira, Mazda Miata MX-5, the BMW M2, M4 and Z4, the Toyota Supra, and not too many more options. On top of that, most in the segment are actually pretty good to drive.
Having sampled the Supra, M2, and GR86 myself I can honestly say that they’re engaging, notchy, and easy to use. We’ll even open this debate up to sports cars that have more than two doors. For instance, all reports suggest that the CT4-V Blackwing benefits from its row-your-own gearbox and the same can be said for the Honda Civic Type R, BMW M3, Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX, VW Golf GTI and R, Toyota GR Corolla.
More: BMW Z4 M40i Finally Gets A 6-Speed Manual, A Year After Its Supra Sister
With all of that in mind, we’re searching for the worst of the class. Other options are out there that in theory sound like they wouldn’t be perfect. Full disclosure, I haven’t driven every single available new stick shift car that’s out. That said, we haven’t heard many good things about the new Nissan Z, a car with some dated components inside. When we tested it last May, Brad Anderson noted that it wasn’t one of the best out there.
Perhaps the right answer here is another car with older components, the Dodge Challenger. While it’s technically just out of production, it’s notable for its somewhat slushy manual gearbox. Considering that it’s available with more horsepower than the Moon it’s a bit of a letdown that its manual transmission isn’t as engaging. Maybe that’s the wrong answer though.
Moreover, if you live outside the U.S. and know of a car in the specific market that meets the criteria, you’re more than welcome to chime in. Let us know in the comments below and be sure to vote for your favorite choices!
