5 stick-shift classics for sub-$25K fun
Whether it’s a fun weekend cruiser or back-road runner, a manual transmission adds a whole lot to the driving experience. More direct engagement between driver and machine goes a long way. That’s especially true when our beloved collector cars are a tonic for the more clinical, modern daily driver.
In many cases, the personality of a car can shift considerably without a sluggish torque converter in the mix. A clutch and a third pedal don’t have to cost big bucks, either. No matter the number of speeds, we bet there’s something you can find out there that would make a fine next addition to your collection.
1997 BMW Z3
Whether you want to go top-town, top-up, or hardtop, this low-mileage Z3 has you covered (or uncovered)! The 1.9-liter roadster is finished in Boston Green with a well-kept beige leather interior and shows fewer than 100,000 miles on the odometer. Its flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate were apparently replaced about five years ago, and its slave cylinder was replaced about a year after, so it should have plenty of more miles of happy shifting yet to give. In this lightweight, four-cylinder roadster, the engagement from a manual is a key ingredient.
1974 VW/Corsair Stripper
According to the seller, this early ‘80s dune buggy is one of about 150 built by Corsair during the ‘80s. Those numbers make it rare, but the fact that it’s a VW-based dune buggy that isn’t trying to copy a Meyers Manx puts it in a completely different category. The unique concept behind the Stripper was that it used a steel tube chassis rather than lots of buggies that used a shortened VW Beetle floor pan as the chassis. The idea was that the car could be run on the dunes without the body as a sand rail, and the body could be installed for use on the street. We just like the way the swoopy creation looks, with its louvered rear hatch making a perfect late-‘70s and early-‘80s styling statement.
1988 Chevrolet Corvette
C4 Corvettes are a bit underrated. They have clean styling, a competent chassis, pop-up headlights, and, most important, a digital dashboard. Who needs a mid-engine platform when you’ve got a digital tachometer that looks like it came from an arcade game? This 1988 Corvette has had significant maintenance, including a new clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel so that the next owner can enjoy shifting the 4+3 Doug Nash transmission for many miles to come. Most of the accessories and the serpentine belt is new, along with a new Magnaflow cat-back exhaust to help that Tuned Port Induction 350 sing. You could certainly spend a lot more money on a car that’s nowhere near as rewarding to drive.
1978 Chevrolet Camaro
By 1978, the Camaro’s factory engine offerings weren’t much to write home about, with the top offering sputtering out just 170 hp. The body style was still quite sleek, however, making them just as good a project car as earlier second-generation Camaros. Luckily this car up for offer in Homestead, Florida, has a fresh 350 under the hood that replaced its 145-hp 305. Now with over twice the power, rowing the gears is even more fun.
Of course, we also have to mention the blue-on-blue, Canadian tuxedo look. We love it, and not just because Jay Leno is one of our writers. The paint has been refreshed, but that interior is original. We dare you to fight the urge to suit up in jeans and a chambray shirt when getting behind the wheel of this classic.
1989 Ford Mustang GT
The lightweight Fox-body platform is like a Swiss Army knife and can be put into a variety of roles depending on the driver’s need. Their massive popularity and vast aftermarket of parts to choose from meant that they became the go-to chassis to build into a drag car, track toy, and everything in between. That also means that it has become increasingly more difficult to find clean examples of Mustangs from the ‘80s that didn’t turn into highly modified hot rods. Even this seemingly pristine example has been modified, in this case from automatic to manual transmission. However, if the right factory parts were used, and proper care was taken, this conversion could be seamless. We especially like this Cabernet Red over Titanium two-tone convertible because it does look like a well-maintained original as the interior as well as under the hood has aged quite nicely.
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The C4 Corvette is NOT underrated, if anything it is overrated! That list of “significant maintenance” is more like a list of all the stuff that goes bad over and over on those cars, I’m surprised that a new 4+3 wasn’t on the list. I would be willing to bet the rear main seal was what took out entire clutch system as is normal on these cars. A C4 Corvette is a giant fiberglass hole on land that you throw money into. How do I know this? I have seen more of these cars available in the $2,500 and less range with, blown transmission, blown rear seal (comes with bad clutch), stand alone bad clutch (very rare), half the dash doesn’t work any longer, frozen AC compressor so can’t be driven because it eats the belt, Roof leaks, most of the interior ruined from before the roof was sealed in. The list goes on. The C4 Almost did to the Corvette what the Mustang II didn’t do to the Mustang, and it wasn’t even kind enough to leave us with a good part that would improve other cars like the Mustang II front suspension. This is why a C4 Corvette is almost always worth less than a same year Miata.
Am a bit surprised that the Honda S2000 isn’t on this list (or comments), someplace..
I have a c6 6spd LS3 and a c4 auto LT1 both purchased new. I do most of my own maintenance and have found both to be bullet proof, 150,000 and 65,000 respectively.I’ve hand both on the NCM track with much enjoyment.
That Vdub is a Beast! I am pretty sure it would get the most thumbs up!
I’m a Corvette owner and lover and given the choice, I’ll go with a Corvette every time. However, there are better choices, such as the C5 generation that fit the budget.
I have a 2000 BWW Z3 and it is fun to drive. Only problem is that when I want to break loose, the anti-slip mechanism kicks in and ruins all the fun. There has to be a way to disconnect that.
Contrast that with my ‘60 T-Bird! Whole different ride.
After reading the article I thought for sure there was going to be love for the BMW Z3. I too have a 2000 Z3 coupe and it is a blast on my mountain drives.
IMHO the BMW E46 M3 stick shift ragtop is not only the most fun to drive
But is a comfortable longer trip car for a
Couple with lotsa takealongs – like a dog.
and you think you can find a decent one for less than $15K?
Yes, the first-gen Boxster should be on this list. I bought a base 2001 5-spd a couple of years ago for with less than 100K on the odo for $6500. Amazing car for the money.
S2000 should be represented. Best shifter I’ve ever driven, can be had for the price range.
I own a 1981 Corvette with a 4 speed manual. I just got back from Chattanooga Canossa Fall Rally. I really enjoyed shifting gears in the mountains. You really feel like you have more control of the Corvette and for a 41 year old car she handled GREAT. Don’t forget about the C3.
My daily driver is an NB Miata and on the weekends, I have a Euro-spec XJ6C with a 4speed, OD, triple SUs and AC THAT WORKS! The manual transforms that car! What a shame that all US cars had the BW slush box. 🙁
The Porsche 944 should also be on this list. Almost all variations, including Turbos, can be had for under $25K.
My stick shift collection runs the gamut from 3 on the floor, reverse H pattern 3 on the floor, three on the tree, to 5 on the floor.
I’d love a Z3 (or better yet an M3) but with a bad back, I haven’t found a dignified way to exit the darn thing ! My stick shifter of choice is my all stock ’99 Jeep TJ Sahara. Well-kept stock examples of these are already scarce , particularly in salty road country, and pricing is already climbing on them.
The only drawback with it is that my wife, at just under five-foot tall, is faced with the same problem getting into it as I have getting out of a Z3 !
Mid 2000s WRX, Alfa GTV6
BMW M3 e46 coupes & convertibles with a 6 speed can be had for under $25k…incredible balance of power and handling!
Once you own a car with a 6 speed, you might be able to go back to a 5 speed, but never again to a four speed.