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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Poor choice on the C4. A 1992 or up with the 300hp LT-1 and the ZF 6-speed is the only C4 era to consider. The “sub- $25K” category puts a buyer in the 1995-1996 base C4 sweet-spot with a possible 330hp LT4, 6-speed (1996 only) mixed in. Take your time shopping for a C4. There are thousands for sale. Most are crap, some are low-mileage museum pieces. It will take some time to find an unmolested, well-maintained example. I purchased a 1995 LT-1, ZF 6-speed with 48K miles three years ago this month for a shade over the asking price of your example and the car has been extremely reliable.
I have a 2007 Corvette C6 Convert. 6-speed manual, well under $25k, 400 HP, lots of fun.
Give me a Toyota MR2 any day. First or second generation. Tons of fun for the money.
I had 3 starting in the early 80’s, last one was the supercharged T tops. Traded it in for the older Supra much to my regret
Great car to drive, affordable and easy to fix, if it ever needed. But try to find one today has become almost impossible and what is available has not been generally well cared for.
Nice Jack, I’ve got an 87 NA, great shape and had an 87 with a transplanted SC. Love them. But any of the cars people have mentioned have to be cared for and for us up here in the salt areas of Canada, it is especially true. Don’t get me wrong, I love vettes too but the people who have owned them that I know have had their share of issues. I’ll stick with my reliable MR2.
Bought a 1996 C4 collectors series with the LT4 & 6 speed under 10K last winter. Yes it has a lot of miles on it, but definitely lots of smiles for the money.
How could you miss a 5 or 6 speed Boxster 986? Yes, prices are going up, but every day even on BAT the base and S models are coming in under $25K, and it is officially a classic according to Porsche. Parts and support are readily available. I bought mine, well optioned, for $11K in 2018, and it has been a blast. I would also suggest MINIs. My 2015 F56S fits into that price range, too, and is a fun car, although the Boxster is “funner.”
I have looked at many C4 Corvettes, and all of them have been Automatics, and sssllooooow. Even the LT1 Autos were dogs. My 1988 Fiero GT with the Manual was more fun.
You guys missed a big one. The Z3 in the photo has a hard top. It will fit Z3’s and m roadsters. The top alone will sell for $2,500 all day long. Try and find one for less. $8,300 less $2,500 leaves you with an out of pocket cost of $5,800! That’s a manual at a bargain price.
Agreed, you can buy Z3’s all day for under 10k
The answer is always a Miata
( if you can fit in it)
First gen Boxster better choice over the Camaro. Just change the IMS
1979 trans am with hurst shifter
In 1987 I went shopping for a Corvette, it was the end of the model year and all the dealers had plenty in stock. I drove several Z51’s and was not impressed with the 4-3 stick, the transmission felt like the stick trucks I had driven all my life. The Z52 with an automatic felt much better to drive, I could downshift and have fun on the empty transition roads. I purchased a new Black Z52, and I still own it.127,000 mi. later and it’s still going strong. the only place it goes now is an occasional blow out run on the freeway and to the weekly local car show.
To answer the original question. Which stick would I drive? At my age with bone on bone in both knees, none of them.
A 1988 Corvette for $11,500. or a 1989 Ford Mustang GT for $22,500. What’s wrong with this picture?
Miata is always the answer!!!
Especially a 2004 or 2005 Mazdaspeed with Factory Turbo. I found a nice one owned by 2 previous “grey hairs” that had not been submitted to Fast and Furious Treatment. Only 38k miles, now enjoying sunshine in FL.
How is it that this newsletter article covers mostly American machines in power and handling stories? What about MG, Austin Healy, Sunbeam, TVR, Jag, Triumph, even UK Ford Escourt GTs from the 50s to the 80s? They were all here in the US and we raced them along with the likes of Paul Newman, back in the late ‘70s I road rallied against my friends with big muscle cars and beat them every time on country routes in Bucks County, Pa.
Oh, and you can still buy our old Brit cars for pocket change, and the Brit’s are still making all the parts and bits you’ll need. Just refit my last 1976 MG Midget (bought new 76) for another 30 years for about $ 1,500 max in new parts. My sons get it this year, and then a Spitfire for the grandson.
As an MG fan, I was wondering that myself. They’re rarely an autobox, and they don’t have great power, but the fun factor is an 8 of 10, and depending on model, <$25K is real easy, <$10K is very possible.
Dodge Challenger, Mopar or no car !