What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The seven manual sports cars for model year 2025 that make a defensible shortlist for driving enthusiasts are the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR86, Toyota GR Supra 3.0, Nissan Z, Ford Mustang GT, BMW M2 and Porsche 911 GT3. They range from a lightweight open-top roadster to a track-focused coupe, and the manual is not available on every trim of every car.
This is an editorial shortlist, not a tested ranking. No head-to-head testing or shared scoring system sits behind the order, and this guide does not claim that its author drove any of these cars.
How this shortlist was built
Each car below is a 2025 sports car or enthusiast coupe sold in the U.S. with a manual transmission available. The candidates come from Autoblog’s February 17, 2025 roundup of manual transmission cars, supplemented by Toyota and Porsche statements where those manufacturers published their own details. Autoblog’s roundup also covers sedans, hot hatches and other models, including the Porsche 718 Cayman, Lotus Emira, BMW Z4 and Honda Civic Type R. Those belong to neighboring segments, so they are left out rather than blended into a sports-car ranking.
Prices in the table are the figures printed in the sources at their publication dates. They are reference points, not current prices, and some cars have no price in the sources at all. Read the table with that limit in mind.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- This vehicle playset comes with two colorful sports cars and one press-style catapult launcher for simple racing fun.
- Place a car on the launcher, press the button, and watch it move forward for quick race play at home or on the go.
- Each car features a die-cast metal body with plastic details, giving the set a solid feel for daily vehicle play.
- The small-size launcher and cars are easy to carry, store, and set up on floors, tables, or other flat play surfaces.
- Designed for kids ages 3+, this car launcher set supports racing games, vehicle-themed play, and parent-child interaction.
The cars are compared on five points: body and drivetrain layout, engine type and output, whether the manual is standard or limited to certain trims, the listed price, and the kind of driving each car suits best.
At a glance: the seven cars compared
| Car | Body and drive | Engine (as described) | Manual availability | Price in source (dated) | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | Roadster, rear-wheel drive | 2.0-liter four-cylinder | Six-speed manual option | $30,515 (Autoblog) | Light, open-top driving |
| Toyota GR86 | Coupe, rear-wheel drive | Not stated in source | Six-speed manual, standard | $31,135 starting price (Autoblog) | Fixed-roof rear-drive coupe |
| Toyota GR Supra 3.0 (3.0 and 3.0 Premium) | Coupe, rear-wheel drive | Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six | Manual or automatic per Toyota; Autoblog says manual limited to the turbo inline-six | $57,385 (Autoblog) | Turbo six-cylinder coupe with a gearbox choice |
| Nissan Z | Coupe, rear-wheel drive | Twin-turbo V6, 400 hp | Six-speed manual; NISMO version is automatic-only | Not stated in source | Power-focused V6 coupe |
| Ford Mustang GT | Coupe, rear-wheel drive | V8 | Manual limited to V8 models such as GT and Dark Horse | Not stated in source | V8 coupe option |
| BMW M2 | Coupe, rear-wheel drive | 453-hp turbocharged inline-six | Six-speed manual | $66,675 (Autoblog) | Higher-output enthusiast coupe |
| Porsche 911 GT3 | Coupe, rear-wheel drive | Naturally aspirated, 502 hp | Manual available (six-speed) | Not stated in source | Track-focused, high-performance coupe |
The seven cars
Mazda MX-5 Miata: the open-top choice
The Miata is the only roadster on the list. Autoblog describes the 2025 model as lightweight and rear-wheel drive, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed manual option. It suits drivers who value an open cockpit and a light car over outright power.
Rank #2
![Ford Explorer 91-01, Explorer Sport Thru 03, Sport Trac 05 [Paperback] John H. Haynes and Jay Storer](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ahLm7JIaL._SL160_.jpg)
- Complete Repair Coverage: Step-by-step repair procedures specific to your vehicle — from routine maintenance like oil changes and air filter replacement to complex engine and transmission repairs
- 700+ Photos & Illustrations: Every procedure is visually supported with clear, close-up photography taken during an actual vehicle teardown and rebuild — no guesswork required
- Beginner to Advanced: Written in plain language so a DIY owner with basic tools can tackle most repairs confidently, while still serving as a valuable reference for experienced mechanics
- Full Troubleshooting Section: Quickly diagnose problems with dedicated troubleshooting guides for engine, electrical, brakes, and drivetrain systems
- Time-Saving Tips Throughout: Pro shortcuts and notes highlight common pitfalls, helping you avoid costly mistakes and get your vehicle back on the trail faster
Toyota GR86: a rear-drive coupe with a standard manual
The GR86 is Toyota’s lightweight rear-wheel-drive coupe. Autoblog says it comes standard with a six-speed manual, so buyers do not need to hunt for a specific trim to get one. Autoblog positions it as an alternative to the Miata for drivers who want a fixed roof and a coupe body.
Toyota GR Supra 3.0: a turbo six with a gearbox choice
Toyota’s 2025 Supra announcement says both 3.0 grades, the 3.0 and 3.0 Premium, could be ordered with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Autoblog adds a limit: the manual was offered only with the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which is the engine in these grades. Autoblog also reports that 65% of all Supras sold in 2024 were specified with a manual. That figure is Autoblog’s attribution to Supra sales. It is not a Toyota-verified statistic, so cite it to Autoblog rather than to the manufacturer.
Nissan Z: V6 power with a manual on most trims
Autoblog describes the Z as a rear-wheel-drive sports car with a 400-hp twin-turbo V6 and a six-speed manual. The sharper NISMO version is automatic-only. If you want a manual Z, the choice is a non-NISMO trim.
Ford Mustang GT: the V8 coupe
The Mustang is the larger, V8-powered coupe on this list. Autoblog says that for 2025 the manual was confined to V8 models, such as the GT and Dark Horse. A Mustang with a stick therefore means choosing a V8 trim, and the exact configuration and price should be confirmed with Ford before you shop.
Rank #4
- Publisher : J H Haynes & Co Ltd (18 Oct. 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 168 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1785211102
- ISBN-13 : 978-1785211102
BMW M2: a higher-output enthusiast coupe
Autoblog describes the 2025 M2 as a rear-drive coupe with a 453-hp turbocharged inline-six and a six-speed manual. It is positioned as the higher-output enthusiast option among the more accessible cars here, and it carries a correspondingly higher price in the source.
Porsche 911 GT3: the track-focused choice
Autoblog describes the GT3 as a naturally aspirated 502-hp car with a manual available. It is the most performance-oriented car on the list and sits at a very different price and use level from the entry-level cars. The lap data that Porsche has published for a manual GT3 is covered in the next section.
Best Value
- MULTI-USE: This pump is perfect for inflating sports ball, bike tires, car tires, and other inflatables with ease
- HEAVY DUTY: Durable iron construction allows this pump to inflate objects up to 100 PSI and ensures long term performance
- FOOT OPERATED: The foot pump design makes it easy to inflate anything you need without all the physical labor of a hand pump
- BUILT-IN GAUGE: Pump to the exact pressure you need by using the built in PSI air pressure gauge
- COMPACT DESIGN: The compact design of the pump ensures that it is easy to store away when not in use
What the GT3 Nordschleife lap shows, and what it does not
Porsche Newsroom USA reports a lap of 6:56.294 minutes around the 12.94-mile Nordschleife, set by a manual 2025 911 GT3. Porsche says the lap was validated under independent notary supervision. For the lap, the car used road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, sized 255/35 R20 at the front and 315/30 R21 at the rear. Those are the track-setup specifications Porsche reported, not general fitment guidance for your car.
Porsche also states that the lap was set with the six-speed manual, while acknowledging that the PDK dual-clutch automatic is faster in shift execution. A single reported lap in one car on one setup does not establish that a manual outperforms an automatic on a track or in general, and Porsche’s own account points the other way on shift speed.
Andreas Preuninger, Porsche Director GT Cars, explained why the company looked at the manual car:
“More and more customers of the 911 GT3 are opting for the six-speed manual transmission. And more and more often we are asked by these customers how fast a 911 GT3 with manual transmission would be on the Nordschleife.”
— Andreas Preuninger, Porsche Director GT Cars, Porsche Newsroom USASpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1Bestseller No. 2Bestseller No. 4Bestseller No. 5
Choosing by how you plan to drive
- Open-top, light and simple: the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
- Fixed-roof rear-drive coupe with a manual as standard: the Toyota GR86.
- Turbo six-cylinder coupe where the manual is a must: the Toyota GR Supra 3.0 grades, with the manual confirmed on your exact trim.
- V6 power with a manual: the Nissan Z, in a non-NISMO trim.
- V8 coupe with a manual: the Ford Mustang GT, in a V8 trim that offers the manual.
- Higher-output turbo coupe with a manual: the BMW M2.
- Track-focused coupe with a manual: the Porsche 911 GT3.
Verify before you buy
- Open each automaker’s U.S. website and its vehicle configurator, and filter to model year 2025 to confirm which trims, engines and transmissions are currently offered.
- For the Supra, Nissan Z and Mustang, check the transmission on the exact trim you plan to buy, because the limits described above are trim-specific.
- Confirm the current U.S. price, including destination charges, on a dealer quote or the manufacturer’s pricing page. Do not rely on the dated figures in the table.
- If you are considering the GT3 track tire specification, confirm fitment for your specific car with Porsche or a tire dealer before ordering.
- If you are shopping a 2026 or later model, treat this guide as a starting point. The sources cover 2025 configurations only and do not establish whether these trims and transmission options carried forward.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
