These days, it seems that the manual gearbox is on the verge of extinction and you can find them only in a few car dealerships such as the Jeep Dealership Near Pasadena, TX. While automatic transmissions are great for taxi drivers and policemen, true performance enthusiasts know that nothing can compare to the thrill of shifting through the gears of a manual gearbox. Here are a few of the best manual cars to ever hit the streets. 

1987-1993 Ford Mustang

While a four-cylinder engine was offered, everyone knows that the “5.0” motor was the engine that delivered the most excitement. While the V-8 engine’s output of 225 horsepower may not cause your heart to flutter, the muscle car still delivered 300 pound-feet of bone-crushing torque. Whether the driver was performing burnouts or competing in a drag race, the manual transmission provided limitless amounts of fun. Despite the car being an extremely old model, with the proper care, regular checkup and the best oil additive for old engines to not let the internal combustion rust, the car can leave the best cars of this century in smoke. The 5.0-liter engine’s iconic exhaust note is a thing of beauty.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 

The 1967 Camaro Z/28 will forever remain a legend. When fitted with dual four-barrel carburetors, the output of the small-block engine easily exceeds 400 horsepower. The four-speed manual transmission was able to extract every ounce of performance from the beefy engine. Although the Camaro Z/28 was perfectly street legal, some owners preferred to race their hot rod on the track. Although ’67 models are hard to come across, there are many online resources with lots of information.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V 

Looking for a sedan that can outperform the average sports car? If so, look no further than the Cadillac CTS-V. Equipped with a supercharged V-8 engine, the CTS-V is able to pound out 556 horsepower from the factory. However, an experienced tuner can easily modify the engine to produce in excess of 600 horsepower. The six-speed manual transmission will put a smile on the face of even the most unemotional car enthusiast. Upon punching the throttle in first gear, the g-force of the acceleration can be felt throughout your entire body.

2014 Corvette Stingray

The new Corvette Stingray is currently one of the top sports cars on the market. While most manual transmissions have either 5 or 6 gears, the Corvette Stingray features a whopping 7 gears – new car reviews will attest to just that.  Not only does the manual transmission enhance the driving experience, but it also helps the Stingray to deliver nearly 30 miles-per-gallon on the highway. When called upon, the racy LT1 engine can pump out 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Even the base version can jet to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds.