The Cheapest New Manual Car in America Is Disappearing - and the Next Option Costs $13K More

Manual transmissions have been fading from new car lineups for years, and 2026 marks a turning point. The most affordable new car with a stick shift is about to vanish, leaving buyers with a price gap of over $13,000 to the next cheapest option.

, with a base price of $17,190. 6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. 7 seconds. However, Nissan discontinued the Versa before the 2026 model year, meaning only existing inventory remains. Once those are sold, the model is gone for good.

The Versa is a basic compact sedan designed for budget-conscious buyers. 7-cubic-foot trunk, making it practical for errands. Its suspension and steering are tuned for ease rather than sportiness, and it uses rear drum brakes to keep costs down. It’s not particularly quick or refined, but it has a solid reliability record and low running costs.

It works best as a city runabout or a second family car.

S. will be the 2026 Mazda MX-5, which starts at $30,430 for the base Sport trim. That’s more than $13,000 above the Versa’s price. 0-liter engine making 181 horsepower. It’s designed for driving engagement, with responsive steering and a balanced chassis.

The shift away from affordable manuals isn’t new. In recent years, budget cars like the Kia Forte GT, Mitsubishi Mirage, Chevrolet Spark. Ford Fiesta, and Hyundai Venue have all been discontinued. The Volkswagen Jetta S manual was dropped in 2024. S. use CVT gearboxes, which are cheaper to produce and more fuel-efficient.

The only exception is the 2026 Jetta, which comes with an eight-speed automatic.

For those who still want a manual without spending new-car money, the used market offers alternatives. 7-liter V6. Older Porsche Boxster 986 models are available for under $15,000, and a used Honda Civic Si offers a manual with practicality for less than $20,000. The affordable new manual may be dying out, but used options remain.