Must-have manual misfits | Six of the Best
Some cars were born with great manual gearboxes, some have greatness thrust upon them...
BMW M3 (F80), 2015, 77k, PH Auctions
The manual gearbox is enjoying a strange kind of renaissance of late. Superseded as the default transmission in so many cars now by more efficient autos (or battery power), they’re becoming the preserve of the upper echelons - where a value is being placed on tactility and involvement. Great news for those that can, if less encouraging for the average enthusiast. Thank goodness, then, for those who embraced three pedals and a stick in days gone by (even when it wasn’t fashionable) because it means some great opportunities secondhand. This M3 is exactly the kind of thing we’re talking about. The DCT so comprehensively outsold the manual that BMW dropped the six-speed option for the current car. Which means this is the last era of M3 ever to offer DIY gearchanges, as well as - let’s be honest - a much smarter look than the latest model. Which sounds pretty cool to us. Bidding starts on Tuesday…
Audi S5, 2011, 82k, £8,495
An easy one to forget about, the S5, yet a very easy one to like. Not only was there the contemporary 8,250rpm RS5 to divert attention away from this car, the original A5 facelift totally changed the mechanical makeup of the S model. Gone was the V8, replaced by a supercharged V6 that was just as fast and used less fuel. That update also removed the manual gearbox, meaning only a few years of manual, V8 S5s. Years when the auto would have outsold the three-pedal car, perhaps a more natural fit for its GT nature. But now the first S5 is one of the most affordable ways into a manual V8 - and that appeal shouldn’t need very much explaining on PH, especially given the 350-odd horsepower and 7,000rpm available. This 2011 car must be one of the last made, and costs just £8,495. A manual misfit that surely can’t get much cheaper.
Aston Martin Vantage, 2021, 15k, £79,995
Make a limited edition, manual Aston Martin wild to look at and collectors will flock to it - see cars like the Valour and Valiant for evidence. But when Aston offered up a gearlever and a clutch for its ‘ordinary’ sports cars, those models like the Vantage that cost hundreds of thousands less, buyers weren’t all that bothered. Strange. Considerable effort was expended on getting an AMG turbo V8 to work with a manual that it was never really designed for, a new diff was fitted and an AMR halo model introduced, but to little avail - the manual Vantage never really captured the public's imagination (or their deposits). As an everyday sports car, the auto was a better fit - but as something to saunter around in at the weekend, a manual Vantage still seems deeply appealing. Particularly with a new manual Vantage unlikely to return anytime soon - unless, that is, for a super duper limited edition that’ll cost an awful lot more…
Porsche 928 S4 SE, 1988, 128k, £66,000
Manual 928s are very hard to come by, because as the GT of the Porsche line-up, an auto made total sense. But with its favourable weight distribution thanks to the transaxle and a fabulous V8 up front, one or two did take a punt on the manual, which must have made for an awesome experience. This one isn’t just any old manual 928, either, as it’s an S4 Sport Equipment, a slightly plusher version of the Clubsport offered in Europe. Just 42 were sold here, a pre-GTS flagship that boasted 320hp from the 5.0 V8, shorter ratios, a limited-slip diff and sports suspension. A proper hot rod that must have had limited appeal back in the '80s, yet looks hugely desirable these days. With the auto 928s commonplace by comparison, the manuals are in high demand, none more so than the spicier 5.0 and 5.4-litre models. The misfit has never looked quite so cool.
Jaguar XJR, 1995, 158k, £19,950
And you thought a Porsche 928 was a rare manual! Think straight-six, rear-drive, manual sports saloon and BMW is the first brand that comes to mind, of course, and that must have been the rival Jaguar was targeting when the X300 XJR was launched with its supercharged 4.0 AJ16 and five-speed manual. Obviously, most went for the auto, because it was a traditional Jaguar four-door whatever its maker intended, but what a fascinating classic prospect the three-pedal XJR now looks. Once the V8 arrived this transmission option was gone for the flagship XJ, never to return, and it’s reckoned just 102 RHD cars were ever made without the J-gate in the centre console. They’re much more valuable than the auto as a result, and this looks like a corker, with 30 years of main dealer history behind it. The perfect thing to practice your heel and toe in (hopefully).
Renaultsport Megane 280, 2019, 87k, PH Auctions
Is this a contentious one? The fact that Renault dropped the manual for the final facelift of the R.S. Megane would certainly suggest that the dual-clutch auto was favoured by customers. And even the most devout fan would have to concede the manual wasn’t the best available. All that being said, things have changed enormously in the six years since this Megane 280 was registered: the manual gearbox went, then the Renaultsport name entirely, then the combustion engine. Fast Renaults as we knew them are dead, replaced by electric Alpines; which are off to an auspicious start, albeit offering up a very different French and front-drive experience. So it’s easy to see why the variant that wasn’t as desirable not long ago might appeal now. A bit like the M3, in fact, the combination of a modern, safe, efficient performance car with a manual to play with sounds like fun. If only more folk thought so when they were new…
Anything meant for driving pleasure first and foremost (e.g. MX5) does benefit from a good manual box though. It just feels right if you are driving a car hard to change gears manually. On this list I would be intrigued by the Aston and how that works, or even the M3 and see if the shift quality was better than usual BMW.
The Jag and Aston don't interest me one bit.
Porsche looks great, even suits white paint from the era.
Not bothered about the S5 either really so that leaves the Megane, that's my choice this week.
. The Vantage is tempting, but design wise, not as pretty as its predecessor or the latest Vantage. Despite its rarity, the 928 “looks” overpriced. Good list, but the BMW would be my pick. As for manual cars, I love them and still have one, but we have a couple of BMW autos too that are brilliant, so I can certainly see an argument for both for sure (no pun intended Lee ).Anything meant for driving pleasure first and foremost (e.g. MX5) does benefit from a good manual box though. It just feels right if you are driving a car hard to change gears manually. On this list I would be intrigued by the Aston and how that works, or even the M3 and see if the shift quality was better than usual BMW.
Anything meant for driving pleasure first and foremost (e.g. MX5) does benefit from a good manual box though. It just feels right if you are driving a car hard to change gears manually. On this list I would be intrigued by the Aston and how that works, or even the M3 and see if the shift quality was better than usual BMW.
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