But it never took off. Automakers, aware of the need to raise fuel efficiency numbers, and the expense of manufacturing a separate transmission that few people buy, are dropping manuals. Better reasons to buy the Soul are for its cavernous cargo area, upscale interior, and outstanding warranty coverage. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is available. To add context, the most efficient gasoline-powered Equinox returns 32 mpg.
So, choosing the right one may be based on mileage and overall condition more than the exact model year. The Golf R shares many of its components with the Audi S3. Engineers installed a new twin-disc clutch, dual mass flywheel, and more closely spaced gears. Sure, you could buy something newer or more reliable, but the Disco makes a statement of rugged individualism. There was a time when most people who truly love to drive would never consider purchasing a sports car without a manual transmission.
Do it all right and you will hit 60 mph in 4. Quintessentially Italian, the quirky little Fiat offers style in abundance, along with driving fun, and a convertible roof. Buy a newer Town Car with relatively low mileage, change the fluids regularly, and stop worrying. The high-performance Golf R model comes standard with a six-speed manual. If neither of those does it for you, consider the Z4 sDrive35is.
The second-gen cars barely make it under the five-grand cap, and the ones that do will have a decent amount of miles on them, but these things are pretty reliable and tend to be well taken care of. Starting in 2003, all Town Car models got a 4. Ford killed the V6 from the 2017 model, so now you can get the Mustang with an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that cranks out a healthy 310 horsepower or one of two V8s, with power output ranging from 460 to 526 horsepower. The V6 generates peak torque at 1,750 rpm, so the Td6-powered Sport is well-suited to towing heavy loads and going far off the beaten path. Stop that, and start listening.
There are new synchronizers, too. The trunk is small and the rear seat is cramped. The manual transmission offering is a six-speed manual, which is standard equipment. A variety of engine offerings and suspension configurations means you can order your Camaro as mild or as wild as your proclivities dictate. Instead it uses a stronger six-speed unit borrowed from the hyper-limited 911 R model with a shorter gear lever. A year later that was fixed with the 500 Abarth—the high-performance model.
Make sure you upgrade the brakes, too. Standard features include heated mirrors, Bluetooth, cruise control, and full power accessories. Just be ready for higher miles with the later variants. Yes it was a wagon, but it had powerful engines, beefy styling and rear-wheel drive. The later models starting in 2005 went to just a 4.
An automatic transmission is optional, as are three more V8s topping out at an astounding 840 horsepower. So, it makes sense that the company would keep the manual transmission a big part of the formula. But so too are the horsepower and torque specs. In our , the Corvette earns a spot near the top of the list. The high-powered Fiat is relatively tame when you want it to be, but flatfoot the throttle and it sounds like a squadron of light aircraft are chasing you down—Fiat doesn't bother to fit, you know, a muffler.
The new aero package, Chevy says, will produce an insane 950 pounds of downforce. V8-powered Mustangs are not just quick, they are fast, with acceleration accompanied by an unmistakable exhaust tone that will be music to the ears of driving enthusiasts. Its folding hardtop frees buyers from choosing between a convertible and ; they get both in the same car. Early models had either a naturally aspirated four-cylinder or V6, with a later addition of a supercharged V6. Pre-2000 models are preferred because they handle better and their engines are easier to tune, but the current, tenth-generation model is the first to feature a turbocharged engine straight from the factory. Nonetheless, there are good reasons to consider the Tundra. Boxster is offered with engines ranging from 265 horsepower to 330.