Hundebein: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth

In the world of fast German luxury sedans, there is an interesting rivalry between the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C-AMG, and Audi's S4.  These three compact executive cars have been brawling since the beginning of time..and while you might think that BMW landed the first punch in the German street car brawl with its barn-storming E30 M3...but the truth is Mercedes-Benz launched the 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth in the same year -- and the 190E hasn't appreciated into stupid price territory, yet. Find this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth offered for $8000 in Hillsborough, NJ via hemmings. Tip from BP.

Unusual Manual Sighting: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS

I know what you are thinking.  The guys at DT have found the Christmas rum cake storage and eaten at entire box.  Ok...that might be true...but you've got to hang on and take a second look at this tippy low budget small SUV crossover thing from a South Korean automaker.  I never thought those words would escape these fingers...but I just wrote 'em...so you've got a read 'em...and hopefully not weep.  Here is the deal...this car has a 5-speed manual gearbox in the most unlikely of places...right betwix the driver and passenger. Find this 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS offered for $3750 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist.

Estimated Time to Awesome: 1987 BMW 528e

This next car comes from tipper Jake who writes: You absolutely can’t go wrong here.  Amen, brother...Amen. This is not the preferred 535i "injection" version and is instead the 528e version...e is short for ETA, and is not, contrary to popular belief, named after the Basque separatist group, but is instead named ETA for the Greek letter η....which in enginerd parlance is used for efficiency. The 528e engine was tuned for fuel economy over power, and should be acceptable when paired to the 5-speed manual gearbox.  Find this 1987 BMW 528e offered for $4,500 in Smithfield, VA via craigslist.

4 Door Vette: 2004 Cadillac CTS-V

Here is a riddle for you: What is black on the outside, a family car on the inside and a Corvette on the underside?  If you said a frog, you are wrong...it is this next car..the legendary first generation CTS-V, which combined Corvette LS6 power and T56 manual transmission in a family friendly package. Find this 2004 Cadillac CTS-V here on eBay bidding for $8,100 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go, located in Dayton, OH.

6-Speed Dinosaur: 2008 BMW 550i

The first modern manual transmission was demonstrated by two Frenchmen (Louis-Rena Panhard et Emile Levassor) way back in 1894.  Many significant improvements to Panhard and Levassor's sliding mesh "crash-box" have been engineered over the last century, but none as significant as electronics which have made the manual gearbox obsolete and replaced them in souless dual-clutch things that have rubber bands, sensors, and brains that tell the pile of parts when and how to shift.  Manual gearboxes might be all but gone from new car dealer lots today, but take a walk on the wild side over to the used lots and you can still double clutch and row your own.  Find this 2008 BMW 550i offered for $5,500 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

What Is That Pedal For? 1989 BMW 325i E30

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.

Manual Sportbox: 2003 Jaguar S-Type

Do you remember back in the '2000s when Ford sold a rear drive sport sedan that could be had with a manual gearbox and sporty 3-liter V6 engine...oh yeah...and it was really a Lincoln, but badged as a Jaguar?  Find this 2003 Jaguar S-Type offered for $5,400 in Newton County, AR via craigslist. Tip from Ryan M.

Simple Things: 1989 BMW 535i E34

The simple things in life are typically the best.  Like a sunset.  Or a walk along the beach. Or a glass of cheap bourbon.  Or a nachos bellgrande from taco bell. Or a 5-speed manual transmission equipped German touring sedan with a crisp inline-6.  Yeah.  I wonder if I can eat nachos without spilling my drink* while driving down to see the sunset? Find this 1989 BMW 535i offered for $4,500 in Bellingham, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Unlikely Manual: 2006 Honda Element

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.

Last of the Round Styled: 1999 Toyota Celica GT

I've always been a fan of the 6th generation T200 Toyota Celica...particularly in the liftback style -- it combines decent sportiness (for a 90s Japanese economy car) with everyday practicality (hatchback!) and not-to-hideous styling.  In fact, I quite like the aesthetics of the liftback, it sorta looks like a 7/8ths scale 3rd gen Toyota Supra.  Find this 1999 Toyota Celica GT offered for $4800 in San Mateo, CA via craigslist.

Longitudinal Wrong Wheel Drive: 1993 Acura Vigor GS

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!

Clutch Player: 2006 BMW 550i

By the early 2000s most mid-sized luxury sedans were equipped with automatic-only gearboxes, unless it was an expensive and finicky motorsports edition (such as BMW's M-cars, Audi's S-line etc).  The notable exception to the torque convertor brigade was the BMW 5-series that offered a V8 mated to a manual gearbox in a large sedan, starting as far back we can remember and continuing to 540i, 545i, 550i, etc. Find this 2006 BMW 550i here on eBay with starting bid of $5,000 and $9,900 buy-it-now located in Brooklyn, NY.

End of an Era: 2006 BMW 325xi Touring

The E91 BMW was part of the E90/E91/E92/E93 generation of BMWs 3-series was introduced in the 2006 model year for the USA with a number of sweet sounding inline-6s.  It was the last generation of BMW's iconic compact executive sedan to use a conventional hydraulic steering assist (electric power steering = yuck!) and naturally aspirated inline-6 engines. Find this 2006 BMW 325xi Touring offered for $10,995 in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from Patrick.

7-Seat Fun: 1991 Toyota Previa

If I told you to name all of the mid-engined 90s cars that were built in Japan and sold in the USA, the list would probably look like this -- Toyota MR2, Acura NSX...and that's about it....but you'd have missed the 7 passenger car with available supercharger and all-wheel-drive...did I mention you can get it with a stick?  Find this 1991 Toyota Previa offered for $1,650 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Collector Class: 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

The R129 Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is destined to be a Pebble Beach concours classic in the future (when we have self-driving flying cars) and might be tempted to get a monster V12 version...but those were always mated to a recalcitrant slushbox...so you should consider a manual gearbox equipped inline-6 version. Find this 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SL offered for $23,995 in SF Bay Area, CA. Tip from FuelTruck.

Beater With A Stick: 2006 Ford Fusion SE

By Al -- Let’s say you are in the market for a new-ish presentable car…you want something that won’t scare women and children, but you want something that might be fun. You want some sort of sporty sedan…with a manual transmission that won’t ruin your chances for career advancement. This lovely blue 2006 Ford Fusion SE 5 speed for $2995 in Costa Mesa, CA with only 122,486 miles will scratch that itch.

Worth a Look?: 1988 Chevrolet Corvette 4+3

When it comes to cars, image can be everything. Face it. Even the most single-minded performance enthusiasts among us are keenly aware of how our cars look. As demonstrated by this C4 Corvette, a car's image can be its downfall. Find this 1988 Chevrolet Corvette for sale in Liberty, MO for $4,500 via craigslist.