Best Cars with a Manual Transmission in 2017: A Driver’s Delight

In an era of automatic transmissions dominating the automotive landscape, finding a car with a manual gearbox can feel like searching for a hidden treasure․ But for driving enthusiasts, the connection and control offered by a manual transmission are unparalleled․ This article explores some of the best cars from 2017 that still offered the engaging experience of a manual transmission, providing a satisfying and immersive driving experience for those who prefer to be in complete control․ Let’s dive into some of the top contenders that offered a stick shift in 2017․

Why Choose a Manual Transmission Car?

Many drivers actively seek out manual transmissions for several key reasons․ Here’s a quick overview:

  • Enhanced Control: Drivers feel a greater sense of control over the vehicle’s power and performance․
  • Engaging Experience: The act of shifting gears adds a layer of engagement and involvement to the driving experience․
  • Potential Fuel Economy: In some cases, manual transmissions can offer slightly better fuel economy than automatics, though this is becoming less common․
  • Cost Savings: Historically, manual transmissions have been less expensive than their automatic counterparts, though the price difference might be negligible these days․

Top Picks for Manual Transmission Cars in 2017

Here are some of the standout vehicles that offered a manual transmission option in 2017, catering to a range of driving preferences and budgets․

Sports Cars: The Thrill of the Open Road

If you crave performance and excitement, these sports cars with manual transmissions delivered a thrilling driving experience;

Car Model Key Features
Mazda MX-5 Miata Lightweight, nimble handling, iconic roadster design․
Ford Mustang GT Powerful V8 engine, classic muscle car styling, customizable performance․
Chevrolet Camaro SS Aggressive styling, high-performance engine options, track-ready capabilities․
Subaru WRX/WRX STI All-wheel drive, turbocharged engine, rally-inspired performance․

Hatchbacks: Practicality Meets Performance

For drivers needing versatility and a fun-to-drive experience, these hatchbacks offered a compelling combination․

One great option was the Ford Focus ST, known for its turbocharged engine, sporty handling, and practical hatchback design․ It provided a great balance of performance and everyday usability․

Sedans: Daily Driving with a Manual Twist

Even in the sedan segment, some manufacturers catered to drivers who preferred the engagement of a manual transmission․

  • Honda Civic Si: A sporty and affordable sedan with a responsive engine and precise manual transmission․
  • Volkswagen Golf GTI: A refined and capable hatchback with a turbocharged engine and engaging driving dynamics․

FAQ About Manual Transmissions in 2017 Cars

Still have questions? Here are some frequently asked questions about manual transmission cars in 2017․

  • Q: Were manual transmissions becoming less common in 2017?

    A: Yes, the popularity of automatic transmissions was increasing, leading to fewer manual options․

  • Q: Did manual transmissions offer better fuel economy in 2017 cars?

    A: In some cases, yes, but the difference was often minimal, and modern automatics were becoming more efficient․

  • Q: Were manual transmissions more reliable than automatics in 2017?

    A: It depended on the specific models, but well-maintained manual transmissions could be very reliable․

  • Q: Were manual transmission cars cheaper in 2017?

    A: Typically, yes, manual transmission versions were slightly less expensive than their automatic counterparts, but the savings weren’t always significant․

The 2017 model year offered a diverse selection of vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, catering to a variety of driving styles and preferences․ While the popularity of manual transmissions was waning, these cars provided an engaging and rewarding driving experience for those who appreciated the art of shifting gears․ Whether you were looking for a thrilling sports car, a practical hatchback, or a comfortable sedan, there was likely a manual transmission option available to suit your needs․ For driving enthusiasts, the ability to connect with the car through a manual gearbox was a significant factor in choosing a vehicle․ While the future of manual transmissions remains uncertain, their legacy in automotive history is undeniable․

Okay, let’s continue the article in an interrogative style using HTML tags:

In an era of automatic transmissions dominating the automotive landscape, finding a car with a manual gearbox can feel like searching for a hidden treasure․ But for driving enthusiasts, the connection and control offered by a manual transmission are unparalleled․ This article explores some of the best cars from 2017 that still offered the engaging experience of a manual transmission, providing a satisfying and immersive driving experience for those who prefer to be in complete control․ Let’s dive into some of the top contenders that offered a stick shift in 2017․

Many drivers actively seek out manual transmissions for several key reasons․ Here’s a quick overview:

  • Enhanced Control: Drivers feel a greater sense of control over the vehicle’s power and performance․
  • Engaging Experience: The act of shifting gears adds a layer of engagement and involvement to the driving experience․
  • Potential Fuel Economy: In some cases, manual transmissions can offer slightly better fuel economy than automatics, though this is becoming less common․
  • Cost Savings: Historically, manual transmissions have been less expensive than their automatic counterparts, though the price difference might be negligible these days․

Here are some of the standout vehicles that offered a manual transmission option in 2017, catering to a range of driving preferences and budgets․

If you crave performance and excitement, these sports cars with manual transmissions delivered a thrilling driving experience․

Car Model Key Features
Mazda MX-5 Miata Lightweight, nimble handling, iconic roadster design․
Ford Mustang GT Powerful V8 engine, classic muscle car styling, customizable performance․
Chevrolet Camaro SS Aggressive styling, high-performance engine options, track-ready capabilities․
Subaru WRX/WRX STI All-wheel drive, turbocharged engine, rally-inspired performance․

For drivers needing versatility and a fun-to-drive experience, these hatchbacks offered a compelling combination․

One great option was the Ford Focus ST, known for its turbocharged engine, sporty handling, and practical hatchback design․ It provided a great balance of performance and everyday usability․

Even in the sedan segment, some manufacturers catered to drivers who preferred the engagement of a manual transmission;

  • Honda Civic Si: A sporty and affordable sedan with a responsive engine and precise manual transmission․
  • Volkswagen Golf GTI: A refined and capable hatchback with a turbocharged engine and engaging driving dynamics․

Still have questions? Here are some frequently asked questions about manual transmission cars in 2017․

  • Q: Were manual transmissions becoming less common in 2017?

    A: Yes, the popularity of automatic transmissions was increasing, leading to fewer manual options․

  • Q: Did manual transmissions offer better fuel economy in 2017 cars?

    A: In some cases, yes, but the difference was often minimal, and modern automatics were becoming more efficient․

  • Q: Were manual transmissions more reliable than automatics in 2017?

    A: It depended on the specific models, but well-maintained manual transmissions could be very reliable․

  • Q: Were manual transmission cars cheaper in 2017?

    A: Typically, yes, manual transmission versions were slightly less expensive than their automatic counterparts, but the savings weren’t always significant․

The 2017 model year offered a diverse selection of vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, catering to a variety of driving styles and preferences․ While the popularity of manual transmissions was waning, these cars provided an engaging and rewarding driving experience for those who appreciated the art of shifting gears․ Whether you were looking for a thrilling sports car, a practical hatchback, or a comfortable sedan, there was likely a manual transmission option available to suit your needs․ For driving enthusiasts, the ability to connect with the car through a manual gearbox was a significant factor in choosing a vehicle․ While the future of manual transmissions remains uncertain, their legacy in automotive history is undeniable․

But what makes these 2017 manual transmission cars so special, really?

Is it simply the nostalgia of a bygone era, or is there something more tangible to their appeal?

Were the gear ratios perfectly tuned for optimal performance in each of these models?

Did the clutch feel offer just the right amount of feedback, allowing for seamless shifts?

Could the engaging driving experience offered by these manuals really enhance one’s connection with the road?

And what about the long-term reliability – were these 2017 manual transmissions built to last?

Did owning one of these cars in 2024 still provide a unique and rewarding driving experience, setting it apart from the modern, automatic-dominated automotive landscape?

Ultimately, isn’t the choice between a manual and automatic transmission a matter of personal preference, a reflection of one’s individual driving style and values?

Perhaps, the true question isn’t which car is best, but rather, which car best reflects the driver’s soul?

Author

  • Daniel is an automotive journalist and test driver who has reviewed vehicles from economy hybrids to luxury performance cars. He combines technical knowledge with storytelling to make car culture accessible and exciting. At Ceknwl, Daniel covers vehicle comparisons, road trip ideas, EV trends, and driving safety advice.