10 Sporty Cars With Manual Gearboxes For $35,000

Analog driving fun can still be yours for less than the price of a well-specced Minivan.

Despite the proliferation of automatics in many cars these days, manual transmissions have always been part of the motoring landscape in the US. In fact, some European models were built in three pedal form just to satisfy US demand. Cars like the manic V10 M5 were only ever offered as manuals stateside and even the twin-turbo M5 and M6 models could be specced with a stick shift up until very recently.

Premium manufacturers like Jaguar and Porsche have also re-introduced manual options on some models to satisfy enthusiast demand but some have decided to cancel them altogether. Of course, most of our homegrown performance cars can be optioned with manual shifters. But not everyone has $100,000 to blow on a sports car. Luckily there are some great alternatives lower down the pricing scale and we have selected some of the best sub $35k manual sporty cars currently on sale.

Honda Civic Type R

One of the best handling front-wheel-drive hatchbacks ever, the latest 306-hp Civic Type R is also perfectly capable of doing the school and shopping runs in between track days. Purists who initially bemoaned the loss of the manic naturally aspirated engines in the older Type Rs have seen since the light, especially in this second-generation turbo Type R.

While it may not rev to the red line with quite the same enthusiasm, the power and torque levels are way higher and it is very linear for a turbocharged powerplant. The base car comes in at ￡300 below our budget and while AWD competitors may be quicker away from the lights, the Type R counters with superb handling and chassis dynamics.

Fiat 500 Abarth

While the base 101hp Fiat 500 may not be the sportiest car on the roads but the 160-hp Abarth versions offer plenty of pace and driving fun for the money. Aside from the aggressive visual add-ons, the Abarth models also get upgraded KONI shocks, performance suspension, uprated 5-speed gearbox and beefier brakes. For your $21,000 you also get a full-day Abarth track experience at the Bondurant Racing School.

Fiat 124 Spider

The 124 Spider may borrow most of its componentry from the Mazda Miata but it has its own character thanks to a unique suspension setup and the decision to use Fiat’s own 1.4-liter turbocharged engines instead of the naturally aspirated Mazda units.

There are pros and cons to both, the 124 Spider does offer more torque low down which makes for quicker overtaking while the Miata is at its best at higher revs. The engine is, in fact, the same as the one found in the Abarth 500. Producing the same 160 hp in the base 124 Classica, the 124 Abarth adds 4hp to the total. Best stick to the base model here, at $25,000 before options it offers good value for money.

Subaru BRZ

What is the difference between the BRZ and the Toyota 86? Aside from a few badges, not very much. Yet the BRZ seems to be less popular, perhaps because the car itself has more to do with Toyota’s history than anything Subaru has done in the past, aside from that boxer motor.

Nevertheless, the BRZ offers the same sweet handling characteristics and has just about enough power from its 205-hp 2.0-liter boxer inline-four. At a starting price of around $26,000 you will have plenty left over for the short throw shifter, massive rear wing, and STI performance springs.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Golf GTI started the hot hatch class and has offered a mix of speed, practicality and daily usability that regularly sees it top the competition. The unassuming exterior looks are perfect for the more introverted types and while the Autobahn trim is a hefty $35,070 and offers a massive spec list, the base car at $26,415 is conspicuously good value.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine makes a decent 220 hp but its lag-free 258 lb-ft of torque makes it feel a lot quicker than you might expect.

Mini Cooper JCW

If you don’t need the interior space offered by the GTI and spend a lot of time driving around in tight city streets then the 228-hp Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) may be the just the thing. You can have a JCW Mini in 2-door Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman and even Countryman body styles so there is practicality in the range if you need it. The 2-door Hardtop starts at $31,900 which leaves you some cash aside for the huge range of customizations on offer.

Subaru WRX

Our second Subaru on the list is the AWD WRX. It too features a 2.0-liter boxer engine as you would find in a BRZ but it makes 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque thanks to the addition of a turbocharger. At a base price of $27,195 it costs about the same too, but offers a whole lot more straight-line performance and is way more capable over slippery roads.

It may be more of a blunt performance instrument but that has its benefits too. The full-fat WRX STI with its 310-hp 2.5-liter turbo motor and driver controlled center differential is a hair over ￡35,000, at $36,595 in base trim, so it doesn’t quite make the cut.

BMW 2 Series

The BMW 230i is a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe that comes equipped with a 248-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and the sort of handling that BMW built their reputation on. If you can refrain from ticking any of the options (except for the no-cost 6-speed manual transmission) then the base model comes in at $35,300. That may seem like a lot for a compact two-door car, but it is well-built and rather quick despite its entry-level status.

Ford Mustang

The cheapest Mustang you can buy undercuts the 230i by almost $10,000 and offers similar straight-line performance if not quite the same level of cornering ability. In the real world you will probably appreciate the larger interior dimensions and extra cash in your pocket more than ultimate cornering prowess anyway.

The 310-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder may lack the aural drama of the V8s but it is far more economical and there are plenty of tuners out there happy to crank the power levels way higher for a reasonable outlay. If you really must have the V8, and we would too, then the 460-hp 5.0-liter GT Fastback comes in at $35,355.

Chevrolet Camaro

The 2018 Chevy Camaro is another great sports car that can still be had with a manual transmission. You are spoilt for choice here as there are four engine options and all can be had with a 6-speed manual, although only the 275hp 2.0-liter turbo and 335hp 3.6-liter V6 come in below ￡35k.

Both are quick enough for most needs and at a starting price of $26,900, the turbocharged 2.0-liter car provides a lot of bang for the buck. Its 295 lb ft of torque also beats the V6s 284 lb ft effort, so in-gear acceleration times should be marginally quicker too.

BMW X2 Looks A Lot Like The Sporty Concept In Production Form

Here’s your first look at the production BMW X2.

At last year’s Paris Auto Show, BMW revealed the stylish X2 Concept as a preview for the newest member in its ever-expanding SUV family. Numerous spy shots have shown a prototype version of the coupe-style-crossover out in the wild, and leaked patent images confirmed that the X2 will be going into production. BMW has now released the first official photos of the X2 in production form via lifestyle blog Highsnobiety donning some colorful camouflage – and it looks a lot like the sporty concept model we saw last year.

BMW describes the X2 as a “sporty vehicle with bold character,” and that’s certainly evident in the design which doesn’t deviate too much from the X2 Concept, retaining its sloping roof line and aggressive front end. Notably, the X2 will be the first BMW where the traditional twin kidney grille has air intakes that are more pronounced at the bottom than the top. As the images show, the X2 should blend into an urban environment alongside other fashionable SUVs cruising the streets. Essentially, the X2 looks like it will be a sportier alternative to the X1 to compete with the Range Rover Evoque but positioned below the BMW X4 and BMW X6 as BMW attempts to fill every possible SUV niche.

BMW's baby crossover will ride on the same front-wheel-drive UKL platform as its X1 sibling, meaning you can expect a range of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines, with xDrive all-wheel drive available as an option. Most models will only be available with an automatic transmission, but selected models will come with a six-speed manual. BMWBlog also reports that an M version will follow with a maximum power output of 300 hp. Whereas the X3, X4, X5 and X6 are being built at BMW’s US factory in Spartanburg where the upcoming X7 three-row SUV will also be assembled, the X2 will be manufactured at the Regensburg factory in Germany alongside the X1.

The BMW X2 will make its official debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show this September, where BMW is also rumored to show off an X7 concept powered by fuel-cell technology.

New BMW X5 And X6 Special Editions Get Sporty Upgrades

The M Sport package comes as standard for both models.

Both the X5 and X6 represent BMW’s largest SUVs in the Bavarian automaker’s line-up – at least until the three-row X7 Range Rover rival goes on sale in 2018. Every so often, BMW launches new special edition variants of the long-running X5 and X6 while we wait for the new next-generation X5 to arrive. This latest pair of special edition SUVs come with extra equipment and sporty upgrades that are usually available only as options extras, as well as several exclusive features.

Starting with the imaginatively named BMW X5 Special Edition, the M Sport package now comes as standard in the premium SUV along with a plush Dakota leather trim that includes heated front seats. If that doesn’t appeal, buyers can also opt for the Alcantara/leather combo which is finished in anthracite/black adorned with M badging at no extra cost. For those that want to further personalize the X5 Special Edition, BMW is also offering the extended Merino leather upholstery from its Individual range in five different colors. To further tempt you, the BMW X5 Special Edition also includes tinted windows and a Multifunctional Instrument Display.

Every X5 is available in the new Special Edition guise, with the exception of the X5 M50d. As for its X6 sibling, the new Sport Edition also includes the M Sport Package as standard. To make it stand out from the regular X6, the Sport Edition’s exterior is finished in exclusive Long Beach Blue metallic paint, or customers can have the sporty SUV painted in Carbon Black and Mineral White. Additionally, the special edition X6 rides on a set of 20-inch M light-alloys exclusive to the Sport Edition, or you can opt for a larger 21-inch set instead. The interior has also been upgraded with carbon fiber trim strips exclusive to the X6 Sport Edition.

Apart from the X6 M50d, the Sport Edition is available for the entire X6 range. No word on a US release yet, but both the X5 Special Edition and X6 Sport Edition are slated to launch in Europe this December.

5 Sporty Coupes Under $35,000 You Can Buy Today

Although the segment is dying, the choices have never been better.

The sporty coupe is a dying segment. All automakers know that, and only a select few are doing their absolute best to keep these cars alive. Doing so requires bringing something new to the table while retaining the original formula of affordability and fun to drive factor. It’s not easy. But fortunately there are five coupes out there you can comfortably buy for less than $35,000 that are also a hoot and half to drive. Rear seat passengers may not have the most legroom, but it’s the driver that counts most, right?

First up is the only FWD car here, the 2018 Honda Civic Si coupe. Also a sedan, but not everyone is ready for full-time family life yet. This latest Civic Si coupe offers a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 205 hp 192 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, the previous gen's VTEC engine is a goner, but the new turbo four is a worthy successor. A six-speed manual is the only gearbox offered, and Honda is awfully good at doing nice, tight manuals. The suspension has also been reworked. The springs and anti-roll bars have been stiffened for a firmer, sportier ride. The 2018 Honda Civic Si also happens to be one of the best bargains out there today. With a base price of $24,100 (not including destination), it’s literally impossible to go wrong here.

If you’re willing to spend $35k or so, here's a great choice: the BMW 2 Series coupe. This is the quintessential BMW, whose origins date back to the 2002 and original E30 3 Series. The current 2 Series is what BMW used to be all about: well-engineered, fun to drive cars with a premium look and feel. The 2 Series, specifically the 230i, still checks those boxes. Power comes from turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with power sent to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual. An eight-speed automatic is optional, and is the only gearbox offered for the AWD xDrive trim. Like with any BMW, checking the box of extra features and packages adds up fast, but in the case of the 230i, we believe less is more.

Toyota and Subaru took a chance back in 2012 with the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. The former is now the Toyota 86. RWD coupes with nearly useless back seats don’t exactly translate to stellar sales, but the automakers wanted to reach out to a younger crowd. It kind of worked. In any case, both received mid-life updates last year and return for 2018. Power, like always, comes from a 2.0-liter boxer four, now with 205 hp (which drops to 200 hp with the automatic transmission; stick with the stick) and 156 lb-ft of torque. There aren’t many optional features for either car, though the BRZ offers a Performance Package. A $25,595 and $26,255 base price for the BRZ and 86, receptively, means lots of fun can be had for little bank.

Is the Ford Mustang EcoBoost a muscle car or a sports car? Good question. Long debate. But we want to focus on the sheer bang for your buck the base Mustang offers. For $25,585, you can buy a Mustang with 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque – and that’s from a turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder. The previous V6 engine has been discontinued. A six-speed manual is standard but the new 10-speed automatic, for $1,595, is a remarkable gearbox in its own right. The Mustang EcoBoost hits 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, if you opt for the slushbox. There's also the $2,495 Performance Package, which offers a limited-slip rear diff, larger brake rotors, rear wing, and more goodies that were once only found on far more expensive sports cars. Try not to have too much fun.

When there’s the Ford Mustang, there’s also the Chevrolet Camaro. It too offers a turbo four, but with an output of 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual comes standard while the eight-speed automatic is optional for another $1,495. We’ve always loved the Camaro’s exterior looks, and this sixth-generation model doesn’t disappoint. It looks menacing and more expensive than it really is. Speaking of which, your friendly Chevy sales person will kindly ask you to hand over at least $26,900 for a turbo four Camaro coupe, which is still darn reasonable. Of course, adding on the extras boosts the price tag, but if you have up to $35k as your disposable, you can afford to splurge a bit.

Honorable Mention: Dodge Challenger. Okay, so the Challenger may look like a coupe from the outside, but underneath it’s really a sedan. It’s built on a slightly modified platform that underpins the Dodge Charger sedan, so it’s not exactly a lightweight compared to the above offerings. But still, two doors are two doors in this case, and its base price is $26,995 for the Challenger SXT trim. Power comes from the excellent 3.6-liter V6 with 305 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. The sole gearbox, for all V6 trims, is an eight-speed automatic. But thanks to its larger size, the Challenger’s rear seat is far more passenger friendly. Most will also agree that it has the most badass exterior design of the bunch.

8 Sporty Coupes For The Price Of A Toyota Camry

Can you really find a sporty coupe for Camry money?

Behold the Toyota Camry: safe, spacious and sensible. The ideal family car then. With the recent redesign rectifying the previously uninspiring exterior styling and a new platform introducing an uprated suspension it looks and feels a bit sportier now too. It may still be a mid-size sedan but not unlike a middle-aged middle manager, it has grown slightly in every direction. The driving experience is smooth and unruffled and you have a choice of three engines, one a hybrid, with plenty of trim levels to suit your specific requirements.

Trims For Every Budget

The base L model starts at an entirely reasonable $23,495 and for that you get, well, not very much actually. Toyota’s Safety Sense driver aid package comes standard as does a reversing camera and LED daytime running lights, but most shoppers will pay the extra $500 for the LE trim which adds 17-inch alloys and a power driver’s seat while also opening up a selection of optional equipment. The range has been cleverly staggered to slowly upsell you in small increments until you unwittingly find yourself driving off the showroom floor in the range topping XSE V6.

Ticking All The Boxes

This trim packs all the toys. Aside from the 301-hp 3.5-liter V6, notable standard features include a panoramic sunroof, color head up display and a big 8-inch touchscreen. Pricing starts at $34,950 but once we add a fancy exterior color, the advanced driver assist package and an all-weather floor liner package we manage to spec an XSE up to a few dollars shy of $40,000. That is a fair chunk of change for a family runabout and we are now encroaching into the territory of some very capable and luxurious European rivals, not to mention a fair few sporty coupes.

Coupe Alternatives

Now a small two-door coupe is clearly not a direct competitor to a Camry but think about how regularly you actually need those rear seats and that huge trunk. That’s right, hardly ever. Plenty of coupes offer rear seats too, big enough for the school run and with some clever packing you could squeeze enough into the trunk for a family of four. So, with that in mind, we set out to find some of the best sub-$40,000 sports coupes out there as well as a few 2-seater convertibles for good measure too.

Toyota 86

Let’s start with the driver focused coupe from Toyota themselves. The 86 has been around for a while and under various guises too (think Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ), yet despite the usual complaints that its 200-hp 2.0-liter boxer engine is a bit gruff and breathless, it offers one of the best driving experiences around. Starting at $26,975 for the base model, you can spend up to $30,900 on the GT Black edition. That’s a whole 10K less than the Camry and it includes the available TRD lowering springs and performance exhaust too.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

If you feel that your children should rather make use of the school bus than the family car then the Mazda Miata suddenly becomes a tempting possibility. The base Sport trim starts at $25,295 but the one you should get is the mid-range Club trim. For around $3,500 more you also get an uprated suspension as well as improved shocks and a limited-slip differential. Pick the automatic transmission though and you lose all of these track-biased features, as you should. This is a manual transmission only type of car. RF models offer a hard-top convertible and are also well within our budget.

Fiat 124 Spider

The Fiat 124 Spider may be heavily based on the Miata but other than the different exterior styling and turbocharged engine, it offers its own unique suspension setup and driving feel. With this one you will want the top Abarth trim as it is the one that offers the performance-tuned suspension, uprated brakes and LS-diff. You will need around $29,000 for this one, which is the equivalent to a well-equipped 2.5-liter XLE model in Camry world. No hardtop coupe-style alternative available with this one and the two-seat layout does limit its practicality so let's look at a few more options.

Nissan 370Z Sport

The 370Z has been around for so long it’s almost as if Nissan forgot it was still building it and never bothered to switch off the robots at the factory. Drive one and the old-school V6 and weighty controls definitely feel as if they are from a different era. Yet there are signs of modernization, there is a clever rev-matching manual transmission and various tweaks throughout production have resulted in a very enjoyable driving machine. You can spend almost $50,000 if you go for the top NISMO trim but the real value lies with the 370Z Sport which is a much more reasonable $33,570 and offers an LS-diff and sport brakes over the base trim.

BMW 2-Series

BMW may be all about big 6 and 8-cylinder luxury sports sedans these days but it earned its sporting reputation with small and nimble 4-cylinder models like the E30 3-series and earlier 2002. The contemporary 230i is a modern equivalent of these cars and its 248-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine gives it plenty of pace too. Prices start at $34,950 which leaves you with a bit extra to spend on the myriad of pricey options.

Ford Mustang GT

The Mustang GT is not quite as sharp a driving tool as the little 2-Series but it still has a lot going for it, not least a characterful 460-hp 5.0-liter V8 and more space inside for the family. Sure you can get an even less pricey turbocharged 4-cylinder Mustang too but if we are looking at $40,000 as our budget then the GT Fastback or even the luxuriously-equipped GT Fastback Premium are the ones to have.

Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro has a similar set of skills compared to the Mustang. It also offers tight yet usable rear seats, is pretty handy along a mountain pass and it too has a big 455-hp 6.2-liter V8 under its hood. It may be down 5-hp on the Mustang but it does offer 35 lb-ft more torque and an even more intoxicating sound track. Stick to the 1SS trim and you will dip below the $40,000 mark too.

Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

The Dodge Challenger is a more traditional take on the muscle car theme, it is more of a straight-line specialist than the rest of the cars here but if you want the most power for your money then this is the one for you. The R/T Scat Pack produces 485-hp from its 6.4-liter V8 and also offers spacious rear seats and a trunk that's more than big enough for family holiday duties. Aside from the thirsty V8, it is an entirely usable daily-driver that offers much of the practicality of a Camry sedan and a whole lot more driving thrills.