If you want the reliability and practicality of a Honda paired with a slick-shifting manual transmission and a smooth V6, then the 2017 Accord might be for you. What’s that? You’ve never heard of such a combination? Don’t worry, aside from car enthusiasts, not many people have. So let’s take a closer look at Honda’s extinct muscle car.

The Honda Accord V6 was kind of a muscle car

We know that calling any Honda a “muscle car” is utter blasphemy, but hear us out for a second. You might remember that before Honda started stuffing turbocharged four-cylinder engines into all of its cars, the Accord was available with a V6 engine. And while the more popular versions of the Accord V6 came with four doors and an automatic transmission, those who were okay with stuffing passengers into a smaller backseat through two doors had the option of a manual transmission.

And while a V6 plus a manual transmission doesn’t technically equal a muscle car, in a Honda world that’s filled with fuel-efficient four-bangers and hybrid powertrains, we think it does. Metaphors aside, the 3.5-liter, J-Series V6 engine that’s stuffed under the hood of this vintage Accord is a downright hoot to drive. With 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque on tap, stepping on the right pedal summons a load of low-grunt followed by a smooth sweep up the powerband and into intoxicating VTEC territory up to the 6,500 rpm redline. Sure, the newer Accord Sport 2.0T might be quicker, but the driving experience doesn’t feel as raw.

If you need numbers to back it up, then you might be pleased to hear that Car and Driver tested the Accord V6 MT and achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.2 seconds. OK, so they’re not exactly muscle car numbers, but they perfectly adequate for an unassuming car that you can drive daily without any fuss.

The Accord V6 MT is practical for a coupe

While the main draw of the 2017 Accord V6 MT is its potent V6 and six-speed transmission, the other half of the equation is its undeniable reliability and practicality. It’s a Honda, so you can expect low maintenance costs and high numbers on the odometer with no issues and, to top it off, you can even use regular 87-octane fuel in it. And while it might only have two doors, the front seat area feels surprisingly spacious and the backseat area has more-than-enough room for two adults, but it can technically fit three.

Considering this configuration only came in the EX-L trim level, it had a full leather interior complete with heated, power seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a passenger-side view camera that shows you the blind spot area on the infotainment screen. It might not be the epitome of opulence, but it’s comfortable and won’t leave you sore when you have a long drive ahead of you.

Stealthy bargain performance

When it was new, the 2016 Honda Accord V6 MT had a retail selling price of around $31,000. But now, you can find some clean examples nationwide for $15,000 to $20,000, which is a bargain for a four-year-old car with stealthy performance that won’t net you any unwanted attention. It might not be a muscle car, but it’s potent for a Honda. Drive one, and you’ll understand.