There’s almost no better way to feel connected to a while driving it than shifting the gears yourself. It’s unfortunate that the manual transmission is nearly extinct, but if you don’t mind looking in the used market, you can find some really good older cars with stick shifts. You can even find some unusual ones, like the following five examples.

1. 2011-2013 Buick Regal

The Buick Regal may not have been the sportiest sedan or on the forefront of anyone’s mind, but it seems great on paper. The Regal touted European styling, plenty of room for five, a 220-hp turbocharged, and a six-speed manual transmission. There was even a higher-horsepower Regal GS model with 255-hp and a six-speed manual transmission. Pretty cool, right?

2. 1992-93 Lexus ES 300

The early-model Lexus ES was luxurious and quick with its 3.0-liter engine. However, what made it extra unique was its available six-speed manual transmission. A luxury sedan with a stick shift? Yes, please.

3. 2006-2014 Mazda5

OK, the 2006-14 Mazda5 was a mini minivan, not a sedan, but we added it because we like it. The Mazda5 featured sliding doors, three rows, a fuel-efficient engine, and a manual transmission. We know that a minivan isn’t your thing, but considering how capable and cool the Mazda5 was, you should probably reconsider.  

4. 1984-87 Toyota Cressida

The Toyota Cressida was a large sedan that featured the “contemporary Supra’s inline-six and a manual transmission,” according to Car and Driver. It’s a weird combination, especially for a car made in the mid-to-late 80s, but we love weird cars with stick shifts, so the Cressida is cool in our eyes.

5. 1988-91 BMW 735i

A BMW with a manual transmission is fairly commonplace in today’s market. Many of the performance BMW M models that have come out in the past few years have all been offered with a manual transmission. But what’s weird is that the BMW 735i from the late 80s was available with one too. Just like with the Lexus, it’s hard to say no to a big luxury car with a manual transmission.

Five unusual sedans with manual transmissions

Whether you have heard of these cars or not, it’s hard to deny that they are all a bit unusual in their own ways. Whether it’s a tiny minivan or a large luxury sedan, any car with a manual transmission is gold in our eyes. After all, there’s no better way to feel connected to the road than shifting your own gears.