10 Best Used Manual Transmission Cars Under $15,000

Hardly a week goes by without a news story popping up about teenage car thieves being thwarted by their inability to operate a manual transmission. One of the more famous cases involves some young carjackers who couldn’t handle the stick of a Porsche 718 Boxster and ran away empty-handed. Apparently, Gen-Zers don’t know how to drive a stick shift, and that’s probably due to the fact that very few cars come equipped with them anymore. It’s actually a pretty good anti-theft device, if you think about it, and certainly better than a car alarm that everyone ignores at this point.

It’s also cost-effective, because cars with manual transmissions are generally cheaper than automatics. On a 2025 BMW M3, the base model manual transmission is $4,200 cheaper than the automatic upgrade. Speaking of which, there are some great used five and six-speed rides out there that almost feel like Grand Theft Auto because they are so cheap. For under $15,000, a great-condition, low-mileage car with a manual transmission can park safely in your driveway, with no worries that it’s going to get boosted.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze

Reliability Rating: 87/100

Base Trim Engine

1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

153 hp

Base Trim Torque

177 lb-ft @ 2000-4000 rpm

Fuel Economy

27/38 MPG

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Cruze Hatchback

Segment

Compact Hatchback

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

Chevrolet may have discontinued the Cruze, but it’s still a solid ride that’s worth picking up, especially for the price. Available in both sedan and hatchback configurations, the base model comes equipped with a 153-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, making it a fun-to-drive set of wheels. It’s also surprisingly roomy for its size and comes with loads of tech and features.

Another case for the Cruze is its high reliability rating from J.D. Power, earning 87 out of 100 points, which is “Great.” J.D. Power uses thousands of owner reviews to come up with its ratings, so it’s as legit of an endorsement as there is. Not only is the 2018 Cruze LT Hatchback the most reliable car on this list, it’s also one of the least expensive. With an average retail price of only $12,238, it’s hard to beat in any category.

2018 Toyota Corolla

Reliability Rating: 86/100

Base Trim Engine

1.8L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

132 hp

Base Trim Torque

128 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

Fuel Economy

28/36 MPG

Make

Toyota

Model

Corolla Sedan

Segment

Compact Sedan

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

The 2018 Toyota Corolla, like those before it, is basic, dependable transportation, which is something many people are looking for. It’s not flashy and doesn’t have a high-performance trim, but it does come with Toyota’s bulletproof reliability. It also comes equipped with a pretty blah 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Stepping up to the SE trim, however, unlocks more performance as well as a six-speed manual transmission, which adds a little excitement.

Toyota has earned a reputation for high-quality vehicles, so it’s no surprise that the Corolla got 86 out of 100 in Quality & Reliability from J.D. Power, which ranks as great on their scale. Getting a piece of that reliability has never been cheaper, with the average used price for a 2018 Corolla SE Sedan at just $14,488.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Reliability Rating: 85/100

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

155 hp

Base Trim Torque

148 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm

Fuel Economy

26/33 MPG

Make

Mazda

Model

MX-5 Miata

Segment

Sports Car

Infotainment & Features

7 /10

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has always been the least expensive way to have a blast behind the wheel, and the 2018 version upholds that tradition. Its 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine may not sound mind-blowing, but this is a car with the ultimate power-to-weight ratio. Standard with a six-speed manual transmission, the MX-5 Miata is a visceral driving experience with responsive steering and road-hugging handling. There is an automatic option, but that seems like it betrays the sports car’s purpose.

There is no J.D. Power reliability rating for the 2018 MX-5 Miata, but there is one for the 2017 version, and they are the exact same car, so it’s probably appropriate. The ’17 model received 85 out of 100 points for quality and reliability, which is still well in the great category. Speaking of great, the 2018 MX-5 Miata Sport has a $14,875 average retail price, which qualifies it as the car with the best dollars-to-fun ratio on the list.

2018 Hyundai Elantra

Reliability Rating: 84/100

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

147 hp

Base Trim Torque

132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

Fuel Economy

26/36 MPG

Make

Hyundai

Model

Elantra

Segment

Compact Sedan

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

Hyundai started out as a super-budget brand but has quietly built itself into a serious competitor for the Japanese automakers. The 2018 Elantra has styling and features that would cost $10,000 more in any other brand, while also delivering performance and ride quality beyond its MSRP. The base comes standard with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four, which ain’t bad, but the Sport trim ups the stakes to 201 ponies to really get this sucker cooking. The six-speed manual is standard on the lower trim, while the rest get a six-speed automatic, but both transmissions can be optioned for any variant.

With the Elantra, Hyundai has earned itself some Japanese automaker-like reliability, with an 84 out of 100 points J.D. Power rating, which is still in the “great” zone, so no worries about this one. The stress level actually goes down when shopping for one of these, as a 2018 Elantra GT Sport Hatchback sells on average for just $12,693, and that’s one of the top trims.

2020 Chevrolet Sonic

Reliability Rating: 82/100

Base Trim Engine

1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

138 hp

Base Trim Torque

148 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm

Fuel Economy

26/34 MPG

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Sonic Hatchback

Segment

Subcompact Hatchback

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

The Chevrolet Sonic is the best compact you’ve already forgotten about, and it’s only been gone for five years. All trims and configurations (sedan or hatchback) come standard with a 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that gives this car some serious zip. You can get a little more quickness with the six-speed manual transmission that is standard across the board. It would have been cool for an all-wheel-drive variant, but the front-wheel-drive doesn’t suck and helps the Sonic stick to the pavement on maneuvers.

Chevy’s 2020 Sonic didn’t get a J.D. Power reliability rating, and neither did the 2019 or 2018. We have to go back to 2017 for a reliability score, which is a “great” 82 out of 100, and there’s little reason to think the identical 2020 isn’t just as solid. With an average retail price of only $12,658 for a 2020 Sonic Premier, there’s also no reason not to at least consider it when shopping for affordable manual transmission cars.

2018 Mazda Mazda3

Reliability Rating: 82/100

Fuel Economy

28/38 MPG

Make

Mazda

Model

Mazda 3 Sedan

Segment

Midsize Sedan

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

Whether it’s the sedan or hatchback, the 2018 Mazda Mazda3, a car so nice they named it twice, comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. There is an automatic option, but that runs an extra $1,050, which is a completely unnecessary expenditure. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder is good for 155 horses, but the upper trims are treated to a 2.5-liter engine that rocks out 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It doesn’t matter what the power option is when it comes to handling, because the Mazda3 drives like a dream.

The 2018 Mazda3 zoom, zoom, zooms to an 82 out of 100 J.D. Power quality and reliability rating, which should put it at the top of anyone’s list looking for an affordable used manual transmission car. Buyers have paid between $14,049 — $15,937 for a 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring Wagon, with $14,925 hitting that sweet middle spot.

2019 Volkswagen Golf

Reliability Rating: 80/100

Base Trim Engine

1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

147 hp

Base Trim Torque

184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm

Fuel Economy

29/37 MPG

Make

Volkswagen

Model

Golf

Segment

Compact Hatchback

Infotainment & Features

9 /10

Obviously, the Golf GTI is the hottest hatch Volkswagen has to offer, but the regular 2019 Golf is still insanely fun to drive. The 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder pumps out 147 horsepower, which is more than enough to feel virile on the road. There may not be a lot of top end, but it accelerates quickly and powers through the turns. Equipped with the standard six-speed manual makes driving the Golf an enjoyable experience that outperforms its rather conservative styling.

Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Golf doesn’t have a reliability rating newer than the 2017 model, and that’s probably because there weren’t enough user reviews to put together a credible number. The 2017 Golf received an 80 out of 100 rating, which is average, and it’s possible the 2019 is right there too. Another place the 2019 Golf SE hangs out is Affordability Town, with an average used price of $14,908.

2017 Honda Civic

Reliability Rating: 77/100

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

158 hp

Base Trim Torque

138 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm

Fuel Economy

28/39 MPG

Make

Honda

Model

Civic Coupe

Segment

Compact Hatchback

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

2017 was a pretty groovy year for the Honda Civic because, not only did they add a six-speed manual transmission option to the turbocharged trims, but they brought back the hatchback. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder is actually not bad at 158 horsepower, but the 1.5-liter turbo-four ratchets things up to 180 ponies, for a truly hot hatch. That is, of course, unless you opt for the sedan, but it’ll still fly. As was just mentioned, the six-speed manual is now available for all trims, and there is a continuously variable transmission, which is considered one of the best on the market.

Honda’s reputation for making rock-solid rides kind of takes a hit with the 2017 Civic only getting an average 77 out of 100 J.D. Power reliability rating. Those ratings take into account everything, not just the powertrain, so it could be due to a wonky Infotainment system. Considering the average price paid for a 2017 Civic LX coupe is only $13,825, most people can learn to live with a finicky touchscreen.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Reliability Rating: 76/100

Base Trim Engine

1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

147 hp

Base Trim Torque

184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm

Fuel Economy

30/40 MPG

Make

Volkswagen

Model

Jetta

Segment

Compact Sedan

Infotainment & Features

9 /10

Many of the cars on this list have sedan and hatchback versions, but Volkswagen split them into two separate nameplates. The 2019 Jetta is the sedan version of the Golf, and while more practical, it isn’t nearly as thrilling. All trims come with a 147-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, which is fine for daily driving, but nothing to brag or drag about. Only the base model comes with the six-speed manual transmission, with all other trims having the standard eight-speed automatic. Since there aren’t any high-performance variants, there’s not really an issue here.

CarBuzz

The 2019 Jetta also lags behind the Golf when it comes to reliability, earning a 76/100 reliability rating, but that is the actual score for this model year. The 2019 Golf hadn’t been rated for three years, so it may actually be even with the Jetta. For a ’19 Jetta SE, all it takes is $14,765, as that’s what people are paying for one on average. The Jetta is a little cheaper than the Golf, so that may swing some buyers.

2017 Ford Focus

Reliability Rating: 68/100

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

5-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

160 hp

Base Trim Torque

146 lb-ft @ 4450 rpm

Fuel Economy

25/34 MPG

Make

Ford

Model

Focus Sedan

Segment

Compact Hatchback

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

Ford ditched the Focus to focus on their expansive roster of crossovers and SUVs, which is odd because there is still a market for affordable compacts with some zing. The standard 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder is more than enough to scoot the diminutive ride around town, but the optional 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-three is some weak sauce. The 2017 Focus actually has more transmission options than engine options, with a five-speed and six-speed manual, as well as a six-speed automatic.

Bringing up the rear is the 2017 Focus with a “fair” 68 out of 100 points reliability rating. Again, this isn’t necessarily about the mechanics of the car and could be touchscreen-related or even the cheap plastic interior, which Ford is notorious for. The price for a used 2017 Focus ST is also fair, though in this context much more positive, with the average retail price at $14,675. At that price, it’s hard to care about a less-than-luxurious decor.