8 Manual Performance Cars For Less Than $35,000

A performance car with a manual doesn’t have to be ridiculously expensive, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the cheapest performance vehicles that will let you row your own as we move into 2025. Unfortunately, what once was an easy top 10 list has shrunk, but we’ve gathered eight vehicles that offer exhilarating performance with a manual for less than $35,000.

We realize that $35k is not a small amount, but it is a lot less than the average price of a new car. The sad reality is that the days of true-budget manual performance cars are behind us. The good news is all of these vehicles can be found slightly used for a few thousand off, allowing more people to slide behind the wheel of a manual car at a more attainable price. Of course, some manuals are better than others, but all these cars will scratch that manual itch enthusiasts are looking for.

We’ve tried to keep the list to 2025 models as much as possible, but some are losing their manuals or will die out in 2025, so we’ve included their 2024 versions since you’ll still be able to find plenty of examples on dealer lots through the beginning of the new year. The list is then ordered from the most expensive to the least expensive, and all prices include the destination and delivery fees.

2025 Subaru WRX

$36,920

The current generation Subaru WRX has been divisive, thanks to its somewhat polarizing styling and the lack of a hotter STI version. Many have said it’s a more mature version of the previous generations, known for their uncouth demeanor, but we say that unique rally attitude made the nameplate so special in the first place.

Despite this, it’s still an AWD sedan that offers 271 horsepower and a six-speed manual option for a little over $35,000. This makes it unique in the industry, and for that alone, it deserves appreciation. Subaru undoubtedly made the newest generation a well-sorted machine. The limited tS version does a good amount to fix some of the performance woes people have with the regular model. Still, until something more powerful arrives, and the black body cladding is shed, we’ll continue to long for previous generations.

2025 Hyundai Elantra N

$35,100

It’s interesting to see a Hyundai as the most expensive offering on this list, but the Elantra N is a true competitor that puts many others to shame. Where the WRX matured, N models have stayed wonderfully immature, offering aggressive looks, colors, performance, and exhaust noises that will surely have your neighbors throwing some side-eye.

With 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, you have more than enough to get yourself into trouble. We thought the 2023 version we drove was an absolute riot, but could have been buttoned up a bit better. Luckily, the company has rolled out its facelifted 2024 version that has seriously improved on the formula.

2025 VW Jetta GLI

$33,940

The Jetta GLI has always lived in the shadow of its hatchback sibling, even though it’s a good package in its own right. Part of this is due to the power disadvantage, as the GLI makes a mere 228 hp from the same engine setup as the GTI. But one has to remember that those figures were class-leading a few years ago, which means this humble sedan still has some go.

Again, the six-speed is a solid choice, if not as lightning-quick as the DCT. When CarBuzz drove a 2022 model, we noted how easy the six-speed was to use in traffic. The GLI’s edge is its price, which is roughly the same price as the 2024 GLI, and the fact that it’s the only VW model that will keep a manual transmission for 2025, signaling the end of an era.

2024 VW Golf GTI

$33,910

The GTI nameplate is one of the most historic out there, and the eighth generation of the model that debuted in 2022 has continued this legacy with ample praise and some valid criticism. Luckily, the criticism is almost entirely aimed at the abhorrent interior controls, as the hot hatchback’s ride is as good as ever.

The balanced chassis handles day-to-day errands and spirited driving with ease. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine puts all of its 241 horses down eagerly. This can be controlled via a brilliant seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, but the six-speed manual still lets you do all the work. Is it the best manual transmission out there? No. It’s not as precise as we’d like, but it remains a solid option that will soon be gone forever. The 2025 Golf GTI has dropped the manual gearbox, but you’ll still be able to find 2024 models that let you row your own gears.

2025 Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86

$32,265/$31,085

We know the BRZ and GR86 have been engineered to feel different, but powertrain-wise, the two are identical, and we don’t think that’s a bad thing. Cheap-ish coupes like this don’t exist outside of these two. With the updated generation, the Subaru/Toyota magic has only been spread more liberally, enhancing the good and fixing the bad.

The four-cylinder boxer engine produces a healthy 228 hp and the 184 lb-ft of torque is usable over a much more extensive powerband range. The engine comes from Subaru, while the six-speed manual and six-speed auto come from Toyota. Trust us when we say the manual is the one you want, and you’ll want to pair it with one of their new limited-edition trims that make the most of both chassis.

2025 Honda Civic SI

$31,045

We chose not to rank this list since many drivers’ preferences in manuals are subjective, but if we were to put one at the top, we would hail the Honda Civic SI’s six-speed as king. This isn’t exactly a unique opinion in the industry, but that’s for good reason, as the engineers at Honda have managed to find a perfectly crisp balance in the transmission that has eluded almost every other automaker for years.

The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 200 hp, which makes the SI feel energetic, but this isn’t a vehicle that’s going to win many races. It’s the perfect daily for someone who wants performance and comfort in a highly usable package, and its low price makes it accessible to almost anyone. It’s a benchmark for how good a FWD performance car can be, and we hope it and its manual stick around for as long as possible.

2025 Mazda Miata

$30,515

The Miata, now more than ever, is a unicorn that deserves to be appreciated. Its existence as a relatively cheap, small, rear-wheel drive manual convertible has been at odds with the automotive industry for years, and we couldn’t be more thankful for it. They say “Miata Is Always The Answer” for a reason, and even in 2024 that answer hasn’t changed despite the ND getting up there in years.

No, this car isn’t fast, with a mere 181 hp on tap, but you can toss the vehicle around corners at slower speeds, and it’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. The six-speed manual is the one you want, with short throws that make the experience much more enjoyable.

There’s a lot to like about this roadster, and with meaningful updates, the company has given it longevity that continues to impress.

2024 Kia Forte GT Manual

$25,845

The Forte GT is an oft-forgotten competitor in the entry-level performance segment, but we’re here to tell you that it’s worth remembering. Throwing the base model’s 147 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder to the side, this top trim opts for a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot that can be paired with a six-speed manual on the top GT Manual trim. This is comparable to cars like the Civic SI but for a few thousand cheaper.

It isn’t the sportiest car out there, as many competitors will out-corner and out-hustle it. Still, it offers a serious dose of excitement thanks partly to standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer Tires and plenty of premium features like a Harman Kardon sound system, sunroof, and much more. It’s a solid option and the cheapest on the list, but it’s also dead after 2024, being replaced by the auto-only K4 sedan. Pour one out for another six-speed, and grab one while you still can.

Source: CarBuzz