You don't see a lot of Toyota RAV4s on the pages of DailyTurismo...but that doesn't mean you shouldn't own one because they offer a level of usability and reliability for a light crossover that is almost unmatched...and the older ones are starting to become cool...in a goofy way. Today's first generation RAV4 is a 3-door version with electric blue paint and Lexus ES300h wheels. Find this 1996 Toyota RAV4 offered for $4900 in Florida via Dave's blogger site. Seller submission from Dave.
This next car comes as a tip from SecondMouse who writes: For some automobile enthusiasts, there is a special interest in sporting wagons. That interest often grows if we are talking about German cars, and it goes up a bunch if the vehicle in question is a honest-to-goodness manual transmission. Here is one that might tick all the boxes for those so inclined - a 2004 v6 Passat wagon with low mileage and manual transmission, available at the modest price of $2500 in Houston. Find this 2004 Volkswagen Passat offered for $2500 in Houston, TX via craigslist.
This next car comes to Erik202 who writes: Send help! (stay 6ft back) just talk me out of buying a V8 Audi S4. I might be going a little crazy from the lack of human interaction but this thing is looking so yellow and fast. And even tho the ad says it’s an auto it’s clearly a stick and it says the timing chains and guides are done and that’s only like $4600USD. Save Erik from monumental repair bills and cheap V8 fun by buying this car before he coughs on the door handles. Find this 2005ish Audi S4 offered for $6500 CAD (approx $4600 USD) in Montréal, QC via facemask marketplace.
This next car comes as tip from Jeff who writes; At under 3900 lbs. with a manual trans and upgraded exhaust/intake, this would be a fun ride. Granted, it ain't cheap for a 16 year old GM sedan, but it's got the right things going for it and the low mileage/condition is hard to beat. Thanks Jeff, I have to agree, the first gen CTS-V has been on my short list for the past 10 years, but prices (albeit pre-COVID19 prices) have stabilized with some of the nicer examples demanding significant premium and this is a great example of that. However, this car was built before the current fad of electrification and gizmofication, so I'm thinking this is a buy and hold...just lose the explosive exhaust. Find this 2004 Cadillac CTS-V offered for $20,000 in Virginia Beach, VA via craigslist.
This next car comes as a tip from Art C who writes: If I had the cash I'd buy it myself. Looks realtively clean, little rust bubbling but should be an easy fix... 4.44 gears, pulls hard to 80+... fun DD that fits a ton of crap, very good in the snow. If compression and leakdown look good, with confirmation of work done this is a great buy! Shoot, I sold my '05 FXT manual with 155K and a blown cylinder for $3500... They are rare and have a following. Find this 2005 Subaru Forester XT offered for $4500 in Pawtucket, RI via craigslist.
In the early 1990s BMW was known for its silky smooth inline-6 engines, and it hadn't produced a V8 in 25 years (the last BMW V8 was a 3.2 liter model first used in the 501/502 and finally in the 3200 CS model in 1965). However, the folks in Dingolfing were never known for sitting on their behinds, so in 1992 BMW released the M60 V8 in their world beating 5-series sedan and it was a fantastic dual overhead cam beast. Find this 1995 BMW 540i offered for $5700 in Austin, TX via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
I've had a number of conversations with "in the know" car guys who agree that the market for cheap (sub $4k) cars has changed in the past few years. The days of finding cars that are simply depreciated and not slammed, stanced, bashed, or bro'd for a few thousand dollars is maddeningly behind us. It seems that even the most basic piece of transportation is being offered at a mighty high price...so it is refreshing when something like this next car comes across the DT desk. It has a manual gearbox, a nice clean Honda paint job and interior. Find this 1990 Honda Accord EX offered for $2500 in Chandler, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
The E46 generation BMW 3-series was not that much different from the previous generation (E36) but it did take the same basic formula and just up the goodness factor. More power, more refined ride, and a better interior are only some of the benefits of the E46 generation, but one of the biggest changes was that BMW decided to export the wagon version into the US market. Find this 2002 BMW 325ix Touring here on eBay offered for $3125 buy-it-now located in Seattle, WA. Tip from Rod S.
This next car is less about what it is and more about what is ISN'T. It isn't another late 90s Volkswagen with faded paint and oxidized plastic. It isn't another diesel VW that doesn't run because the cost to repair is greater than its worth. And it isn't another super slow diesel equipped with a slow shifting slushbox. This car isn't a unicorn because of its original production volume or crazy option configuration, it is a unicorn because it survived the ravages of time with nary or door ding or hint of bumper rash. The salvage title is the only thing holding this car back from being a $10k trailer queen. Find this 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Diesel Manual offered for $4200 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.
Who says a 911 is a rich man's car? Well...the mechanic might think so...but if you've got another car for when the 911 is getting its interplanetary marmon spindle (IMS...just google 996 IMS and read all about it) replaced then the 996 is a car you could drive every other day of the year without needing a second job or a rich daddy. Find this 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 offered for $10,500 in Paradise Valley, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
I remember quite vividly the first time I drove a Cadillac CTS sedan in anger. It was at one of those GM ride & drive events that were all the rage before the 2008 carpocalypse killed many a marketing boondogle budget item -- but GM put us in the seats of a CTS, BMW 3-series, and some kinda Volvo (forget which one...it was that good) and told us to tear up an autocross style parking lot cone track. The BMW handled the best out of all of the cars, but the CTS was shockingly well composed compared to the previous "grandpadillacs" that we were used to seeing from the brand that claims to be "the Standard of the World". The CTS in 2.8 or 3.6 liter trim wasn't as fast as the CTS-V version, but the V6 was peppy and the car was happy to NOT attract the attention of the 5-0 or leave pieces of carbon fiber and plastic on every speed bump in town. Prices when new were approaching an Audi/BMW/Merc, but now they are used and cheap cheap cheap..which is exactly how I like my manual gearbox equipped late model luxury sedans. Find this 2006 Cadillac CTS offered for $4,500 in Cohocton, NY via craigslist. Tip from Joker.
Unless you've been hiding under an old BMW for the past few weeks, you probably have read something about the new 2019 BMW 3-series, and you may have caught that it launches without a manual gearbox option!?!? That's it, I've had it -- I'm never buying a new BMW again...oh...wait...I've never purchased a new BMW and probably wouldn't if I had Bill Gates' money because used BMWs are so delectably cheap and available with manual gearboxes and non-hideous styling. Like this 1989 BMW 325i offered for $3,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.
This next car comes as a tip from Art C who writes: Less than 300 (~280iirc) of this gen v70 t5 manual wagons imported (98-00). Best looking obviously. 2.3 turbo 5 is stout and sounds uhhhhmazing when downpipe/exhaust fitted. This is clean and priced very reasonably. Find this 1999 Volvo V70 T5 offered for $4400 in Westchester, NY via craigslist.
If you are after a retro 1980's driver that will not break the bank, a Mercedes W123 diesel sedan is a great choice. The 70 hp of diesel fury will not get you anywhere in a hurry, but the electric blue paint with coordinating hubcaps will win Miami Vice fans admiration. Like the W115 predecessor, the W123 did not lose the bank vault feel of quality and solid construction. The four circular headlights here will never go out of style unlike the ovals shaped lights found on the later W210's that look passe' already. Find this 1983 Mercedes 240D for sale in Portola CA for $5,000 via craigslist. Tip from Fuel Truck.
(We have a pair of one owner stick shift Mercedes 240D's to choose from today. The cars are similarly priced and found on the opposite coasts from one another) 
And the award for the car that is the least likely to have a manual gearbox...but is shockingly clutch pedal equipped is...this 2006 Honda Element offered for $6999 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.
I've got to be careful, because I might be categorized as a nut by this next statement...but...this next car needs to be saved from teenagers and owned by a proper enthusiast who will treat it nicely. Yeah. I'm starting to be one of those people who writes: "will only sell to a good home, no drunks, no flippers!" in a craigslist advert...but how many original 5-speed Japanese cars with longitudinal 175 hp SOHC inline-5s are still on the road and haven't been run into the ground by the original owners kids/friends/enemies yet? Not many. Find this 1993 Acura Vigor GS offered for $4750 in Gilbert, AZ via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!