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The manual transmission is a fleeting feature in the new car market. Consumers would rather live with the fire-and-forget ease of an automatic transmission. However, a few manual cars defy the industry move to automatics to the last. Check out a few of the sports cars that refuse to give up the manual in 2024, like the Ford Mustang and Toyota GR Supra.

Are manual cars coming back?

The 2024 Ford Mustang GT shows off its interior and infotainment screen.
The new Mustang’s interior | Ford

Despite a mild generational interest in manuals, the list of stick-shift cars on the market is getting shorter. In fact, certain models only offer a manual transmission at specific trim levels. Fortunately, these five popular sports cars refuse to shrug off the stick.

  • Ford Mustang
  • Toyota GR Supra
  • BMW Z4
  • Subaru BRZ
  • Mazda MX-5

Will the 2024 Ford Mustang have a manual transmission?

The 2024 Ford Mustang kicks off the nameplate’s seventh generation. Better yet, the 2024 Mustang offers a six-speed Getrag MT82 manual transmission for the Coyote V8-powered GT model. Unfortunately, the Getrag manual has a reputation for being problematic, with some cases of premature wear and catastrophic failure.  

Still, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT is one of the last affordable V8 sports cars with a rowable transmission. However, EcoBoost fans are out in the cold for 2024; the S650 EcoBoost goes without the manual, offering only the 10-speed automatic gearbox. 

The 2024 Toyota GR Supra is one of the finest manual sports cars on the market

The 2024 Toyota GR Supra brings back the manual for the latest model. However, fans of the Toyota-BMW collaboration will have to opt for the 382-horsepower B58 trim to get a six-speed transmission. The 2.0L four-cylinder model goes without a manual, instead packing an eight-speed automatic. Still, the manual GR Supra 3.0 will hit 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds with a manual in the middle. 

Does the new Z4 come in a manual?

So, let’s say you want GR Supra soundtracks in a manual car, but you also want a drop-top. No problem: the BMW Z4 packs an optional six-speed manual transmission for 2024. What’s more, the Z4 M40i packs the same 382-horsepower 3.0L inline six-cylinder B58 engine as the Toyota GR Supra 3.0. 

The Subaru BRZ is one of the most budget-friendly manual sports cars available, and it’s a twin

The Subaru BRZ, and its sibling car, the Toyota GR86, offer budget-friendly driver’s car dynamics unlike any other vehicle on the market. Part of those dynamics stem from the models’ manual transmission, an engaging way to wring every ounce of potential from the growly 228-horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder mill.  

The Mazda MX-5 is one of the gold standards of fun, rowable sports cars

A perennial favorite in the sports car segment, the Mazda MX-5 returns for 2024. Better yet, the 2024 model will offer a manual gearbox, continuing the model’s legacy of fun and driver engagement. 

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).