You Don’t Need To Pay 220K For A Great Manual Sports Car In 2025

Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0- $99,700

Ha ha ha, the irony with this one is as insane as its performance. NA Flat 6-check, manual-check, PORSCHE-check. You only have to live with the Tennie-weenie fact that it has 100 hp less but also costs $120,000 less than the new 2025 GT3. A Boxster version is also there for around a couple of grand extras. 
 

The Porsche Cayman GTS has a 4.0-liter flat-six naturally aspirated engine that delivers around 394 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of approximately 182 mph.

For an even more ironical proposition, you can check out the GT4 RS, which has the same 9000 RPM screamer from the last gen and arguably handles a bit well due to its mid-engine layout, for still cheaper $165,000.

Lotus Emira First Edition- $99,900

The best-looking car on our list comes with a whining supercharged V6 and an exposed gated manual with 400 horsepower and 320lb-ft. Lotus has got some insane customization options that don’t cost a lot and you also get to choose the type of chassis you want Sport or Touring, from the factory.

A lethargic 2.0 L Turbo is also available but lacks the soul its supercharged sibling possesses. It is true that Hardcore Lotus addicts tuned to sub-tonnage Elise and Exige would call the 3200-pound Emira a sacrilege but I think we should be glad that such a stunningly designed supercharged six-speed car exists in this day and age, albeit for a very short time.

2025 BMW M3- $76,000

if you have some cocky siblings or an extended family that need their senses recalibrated the M3 is your jazz for the night. The 2025 BMW M3 is one of the three manual M cars left and comes with the bulletproof S58 engine pumping out close to 500 hp and sending them all to rear wheels via a six-speed manual. 

Folks have finally warmed up to Beemer’s fugly front fascia thanks to its excellent tail-happy handling and purist-minded driving performance. If you are looking for something even more nimble check out the M2 or the droptop Z4, the latter of which comes with a fancy Handschalter package. 

2025 Cadillac CT5 Blackwing- $106,000

Nobody expected Mark Zuckerberg to daily a 668 hp supercharged GM muscle, but he does. For some reason, only the borderline psychos among us would understand. The RWD-only power sedan has long been touted as one of the most brutal in its segment and got a perfect 10/10 rating from Car and Driver. 

A smaller and mellower CT4 Blackwing is also available with a 470 hp V6 but you only live once, so why not just cash it all in for a tire-smoking pavement drama, something Zuckerberg probably thought before pulling the trigger.
 

2025 Honda Civic Type R- $44,795

Or the Integra if you want something that looks as well as it drives. This FWD legend comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sending 315 hp and 310 lb-ft to front wheels, and a six-speed manual. If you are turned away by the four-pot, keep in mind John Cena drives his Type-R daily to work and back.

The problem with Type-R is its dealer markups, which compared to Porsche are still palatable. 
 

2025 Mazda Miata $28,895

Okay, so we are dropping into peasant territory of horsepower levels (181hp) but hey, the GT3 and Miata are built on the same ethos of providing barebones-driver-first thrills that every car enthusiast craves. Except, the Miata does that for nearly, $190,000 less. 

Use the latter amount to buy a Corvette ZR1 with 1065 horsepower which will take care of any Porsches ever made and will be made in the next decade or so, even 918 Spyder.

2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse-$66,665

The last surviving muscle car has reached its peak with the mighty Dark Horse edition with 500 hp, no less. Ford has gone all out for the Mustang in what seems like its final run, hopefully I am dead wrong. 

The V8-powered swansong comes with a manual as standard and when equipped with the optional handling package the Dark Horse can be a formidable track weapon thanks to Magnetic dampers, revised chassis, and front and rear spoilers.