The GREAT Debate: WHICH Car That You've Driven Has The BEST Manual Transmission?

We'd like to consider this crowdsourcing. Essentially, as we get closer to the end of do-it-yourself gearboxes, vehicles with manual transmissions are expected to increase in value. 

We can already see this with select models as standards are commanding a higher premium. We're looking to better understand the very best transmissions for a couple reasons: 

1) This way we know what are some of the best driving vehicles on the planet; and,
2) Theoretically, we'll know the vehicles with highly acclaimed transmissions that will be in high demand. 

So, what say you, Spies?

Of all the vehicles you've driven, WHICH one had the best manual transmission? Think of the way the clutch pedal communicated its engagement point and how notchy the shifter was in the moment. 

For me, there's two vehicles that stand out. First, there's the Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 2 S. With its springy clutch pedal and buttery smooth shifter, it was really the most responsive and communicative clutch pedal I've driven to date. Second, there is the BMW 1M, which had a shifter that required minimal effort thanks to its light throws. The clutch pedal is actually on the lighter side but due to the combination, it makes drivers feel like a rock star.

TheSteve - 5/16/2017 4:50:06 AM

+1 Boost

Porsche Carrera, though the clutch might feel a tad long for some. The 7-speed stick is spot on!

TheSteve - 5/16/2017 5:12:51 AM

+2 Boost

^^^
BTW, that's a 997.2 that I'm referring to.

runninglogan1 - 5/16/2017 6:03:41 AM

+7 Boost

Honda manuals from their golden era - late 80's through mid 90's - were absolutely sublime.

atc98092 - 5/16/2017 7:08:15 AM

+2 Boost

Frankly (and with a bit of nostalgia), I really liked my Borg Warner T-10 with Hurst T-Bar shifter in my 1963 Impala SS. Never any question about where the shifter was, and I was known as the fastest shifter in my High School. Four speeds forward was all we ever needed then (so we thought!)

TomM - 5/16/2017 7:25:59 AM

+3 Boost

You beat me to it.

There is something about a shifter that sits right on top of the transmission and directly shifts the gears without cables or lot of linkages in between that cannot be matched by other possibilities. And it is the shifter - not actually the manual transmission (Whose designs were already pretty much set years ago)- that makes the experience you feel. Of course - it does not hurt to have a transmission with properly chosen gear ratios - and well controlled clutch action as well.

However - it really does not change anything. Manual Transmissions are going the way of ice boxes and AM Tube radios. Their time has passed and soon they will be only in retro rebuilds and junk yards.

MDarringer - 5/16/2017 8:20:18 AM

0 Boost

Indeed. Some of that Detroit iron had some pretty sweet gearboxes.

Tiberius1701A - 5/16/2017 9:07:53 AM

+1 Boost

My 2014 Fusion had a very sweet shifter.

Manny99 - 5/16/2017 11:59:56 AM

+3 Boost

My 2014 981 Porsche Boxster has a great clutch and shifter feel. Besides Porsche, others manufacturers who know how to make a manual transmission are Honda, Mazda and sometimes BMW.

Gambit - 5/16/2017 2:14:23 PM

+2 Boost

I figured everyone would basically say, "the car I had!"

I'll play, I loved my RX-8. Only one I owned, but I drove several. The mazda had a short throw and easy clutch to operate

PUGPROUD - 5/16/2017 2:19:32 PM

0 Boost

Miata.

templar19d - 5/16/2017 3:43:02 PM

+2 Boost

TTRS. smooth and light.

zlives - 5/16/2017 6:03:10 PM

+2 Boost

of the ones i have driven,
04 audi s4
2016 981 spyder boxster

quizz - 5/16/2017 6:41:16 PM

+2 Boost

Owned each of these for at least a year, and I strongly endorse their manual transmissions, in order of preference:

1. 2013 BMW 130i
2. 2017 Accord Sport
3. 2014 Sportwagen
4. 2001 Miata

I'm still waiting to pickup Porsche 911, either 6-speed or 5-speed.

vdiv - 5/16/2017 10:44:10 PM

+2 Boost

Most Asian cars makers knew how to "stick" it, Honda ruled it. The absolute worst I've experienced was on a Jeep Wrangler. BMW's were good, but one had to move the stick three miles, short-throw they were not even on most M cars :(

Agent001 - 5/17/2017 12:36:59 AM

0 Boost

Any 997.2 Porsche and 2001 Era BMW M5. BMW has the lazy long gate but matched with that engine it worked amazingly well. Most combo of luxury and sport on a manual as well.

001

wac77 - 5/17/2017 9:58:07 AM

+2 Boost

Best one I tested: Porsche Cayman

Very good: BMW, and Honda/Acura (cars I owned in the last 25 years, one Integra, one Accord, and 4 BMWs, all manual)

Bobzang - 5/17/2017 3:18:12 PM

+2 Boost

2017 Audi A4. 2014-2016 Audi A4 B8.5 gen is also really good. Audi makes great manual transmission cars imo. My friends and family who drove my car fell in love with manual transmission. And it's also good even in traffic.