7 Forgotten Manual Coupes Worth Rediscovering

Manual coupes are slam-dunk ways to win a car enthusiast over. These cars are inherently compromised on practicality and usability for the sheer sake of appealing to people who love the look and feel of their car, so it’s no surprise that the combination has resulted in some of the most popular cars among gearheads.

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Just take a look at the number of Scion FR-S, Nissan Z cars, Ford Mustangs, and Porsche Caymans out there, for example. All of these have rightfully gained favor for engaging driving experiences, putting the driver first and foremost and all for a relatively reasonable cost.

For all those popular cars, though, there’s plenty out there that even knowledgeable enthusiasts will scratch their heads when you mention them. These are 7 manual coupes that most gearheads have completely forgotten.

7

Saab 9-3 Viggen

Saab 9-3 Viggen Specs

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Horsepower	230 hp
Torque	258 lb-ft
0-60	6.5 seconds
Top speed	155mph

Although Saab has rarely been seen as a manufacturer that built cars for enthusiasts when they were new, it has some pretty special models in its back catalog. The 99 Turbo is the one everyone remembers, but its later spiritual successor is arguably overlooked.

Introduced in 1999 and named after a fighter jet, the Saab 9-3 Viggen was a joint development between the Swedish car manufacturer and motorsport constructor TWR. The front-wheel-drive coupe earned a lot of praise for its impressive performance, but it had an Achilles’ heel in the form of plentiful torque steer. The aftermarket was quick to offer ways to correct that, though.

Today, the Saab 9-3 Viggen can be had for around $10,000 to $15,000 for the coupe for a good one. Sedans and convertibles are a little bit cheaper.

6

Acura CL Type S

Cars and Bids

Acura CL Type S Specs

If you want an enthusiast-focused Acura coupe from the ‘00s, the obvious option would be to look at an Acura RSX Type S. Roll the years back a little, and the Integra Type R is always worth a mention, too.

What if you want something a little different from the norm, though? The Acura CL Type S is a rare and often overlooked car worth a look today. With a V6 with VTEC technology, a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox available for the 2003 model year, and a similar double-wishbone suspension setup to the Acura NSX, there’s a lot to like.

This is a rare car, with only 3,845 manuals reportedly built, but it remains an ‘If you know, you know’ offering. Around $15,000 to $20,000 should cover the market today.

5

Scion tC

Toyota

Scion tC Specs

While the Scion FR-S is rightfully celebrated as the most exciting car to come from the short-lived Toyota subsidiary, it produced another enticing coupe in its time on the market, too.

The Scion tC was built through two generations from 2004 right through to 2016, at the demise of the Scion brand. The second generation is the one we’re focusing on, as it spent nearly its whole production run in the shadow of the FR-S.

It had a lot of appeal in its own right, though. The front-wheel-drive car used a 2.5-liter inline-four engine and could be had with a six-speed manual gearbox. Tuners took well to it, too, with a deep aftermarket available for those seeking to turn it into a real performance coupe.

Second-generation models are plentiful, with a budget of $5000 to $10000 covering almost the whole market, which is value-limited by the FR-S.

4

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

Via: Motor1

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Specs

While the second and third-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse will never leave the hearts of those in the tuner car scene, with prominent appearances in the Fast and Furious movie franchise, the fourth-generation car is often forgotten.

Arriving in 2005 and remaining on the market until 2012, the Eclipse GT was the most appealing of the range on paper. Its 3.8-liter V6 and manual transmission sounded like a promising combination, but that would sit on the nose of a front-wheel drive car.

Period reviews were far from positive, widely criticizing the car for its vague steering feel, lackluster performance, and high curb weight. No surprise, then, that enthusiasts weren’t quick to snap them up.

Today, though, it makes for a bargain on the used market, with around $5,000 a healthy budget to pick up a good-condition example.

3

Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo

Bring a Trailer

Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Specs

If you want a high-performance American coupe that can rival serious sports cars, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo is a gem.

With a subtly aggressive look (although the rear spoiler gave away its true potential to in-the-know enthusiasts), the real standout feature of the Cobalt SS Turbo was its 260 hp engine.

Paired with an engaging chassis featuring suspension work by GM’s Performance Division, it quickly won over the motoring press. It was widely praised for its strong performance, exceptional handling, and impressive braking performance.

Ultimately, though, it was a Chevrolet Cobalt. That inherently limited its appeal, despite having the hardware to be a serious performance car. Today, it remains a niche option but one that can be had for less than $10,000.

2

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Specs

Although Hyundai has cemented itself in the hearts of enthusiasts with its impressive N models in recent years, it has long been in the game of making appealing gearhead-focused models.

The Tiburon was the first of those, and arguably a lackluster effort, but its replacement truly committed to the manual coupe formula. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe debuted in 2008 and could be had with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, but it’s the 3.8 V6 that really delivered the car’s full potential.

Although it had quite a niche appeal when it was new, the Coupe has gained a cult following in the years since its production ended in 2016. The heavily facelifted model is the most appealing of them, with values today around $17,500.

1

Cadillac CTS Coupe

Cadillac

Cadillac CTS Coupe Specs

Though the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is already well-known among enthusiasts, it has cast a large shadow over the regular coupe, itself available with rear-drive, a V6 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.

With more power than rival BMW 3 Series models and a lighter curb weight than the V, the CTS had its own appeal as an unassuming, engaging model. Perhaps it’s a stretch to call it a sleeper, but it certainly flies under the radar compared with much of its direct performance-focused competition.

Today, a budget of $15,000 will cover pretty much the whole market for the CTS Coupe.

Sources: Bring a Trailer, Classic.com