Manual transmissions demand manual labor. The driver decides when to shift and which gear. For driving enthusiasts, it’s a labor of love they’re willing to pay extra for instead of being stuck with an impassive automatic. In some cases, nothing spoils the desirability of a performance car than an automatic tranny, so automakers try to compensate with paddle shifters.
But the experience is never the same, never quite matching the engaging driving experience offered by manual gearboxes. As far as driving experiences go, few things in our nation’s history captured the American spirit like V8-powered classics.
Many of them had manual options for drivers willing to pay more to have more control over how their car drives. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or dipping in the classic muscle car pool for the first time, these 13 V8-powered models with stick shifts can be found for under $10,000.
Chevrolet Camaro (3rd Gen, 1982-1992)
Edmunds notes the value of a used 1992 Chevrolet Camaro ranges from $2,570 to $7,822. “As a general guide,” says Edmund, “the trade-in value of a 1992 Chevrolet Camaro with no options and driven roughly 12,000 miles per year would be worth about $3,469 for one in “Clean” condition and about $6,016 if you were selling it as a private party.
If the vehicle is in worse shape, you’ll want to deduct a couple thousand dollars for each of the lower two condition levels.” This generation of the Camaro was markedly lighter than the ’60s–’70s generation and was powered by V6 and V8 engines.
Unfortunately, the most powerful – the 5.7-liter (350 cu-in) V8 – did not benefit from a stick-shift. Manuals were only offered with the 5.0-liter version. The good news is that performance-focused models like the IROC-Z and Z28 models also received the 5.0-liter.
Pontiac Firebird (3rd Gen, 1982-1992)
Like the Camaro, the Firebird packs a V8 punch with a manual gearbox. The 3rd-gen Firebird shared a platform with the Chevrolet Camaro of the same era. The Trans Am was the punchiest of the Firebird trims, including the base and Formula models. The Firebird fired with 4-cylinder and V8 engines, specifically 5.0-liter (305 cu-in) and 5.7-liter displacements.
Similar to the Camaro, the 5.7-liter did not marry the manual shifter, but the 5.0-liter could. Based on TrueCar listings, prices for used Pontiac Firebirds currently range from $4,950 to $33,987, with vehicle mileage ranging from 17,742 to 191,337 miles.
1979-1993 Ford Mustang Fox Body
The Fox Body is one of the longest-running Mustang generations and one of the most affordable. This generation, produced from 1979 until 1993, was around long enough to benefit from a range of engines, from naturally aspirated and turbocharged 4-cylinders to inline- and V-sixes to V8s.
The 5.0-liter V8, available with a manual gearbox, was the prize due to its strong performance and tuning potential. This engine typically propelled the sportier, performance-oriented GT and the LX 5.0 sleeper version. You can still find these cars for under $10,000, although that’s getting harder as more people start to see the Fox Body as a classic muscle car.
1983-1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
It’s increasingly difficult to find this car for under $10,000, but it’s still possible with some patience and a bit of luck. The Superspeedway (SS) was Monte Carlo’s performance-oriented version, benefiting from the legendary 5.0-liter V8 mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.
While the V8’s 190 hp was considered high output for the era, the SS was still a Monte Carlo – a luxury car to the core and not the most powerful muscle car. The automatic was the standard shifter and the only factory-fitted option, but many enthusiasts modified theirs with a manual gearbox. There’s a good chance of finding manuals in the used market.
1977–1987 Chevrolet El Camino
1977–1987 represents El Camino’s fifth generation, and you can still find them for under $10,000, but be ready for some restoration works. At press time, some ClassicCars.com and iSeeCars listings show prices starting as low as $6,495. Chevrolet introduced it with various 6-cylinder engines and later 8-cylinder options, from the base 4.1-liter straight-six to the slightly more powerful 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6s.
A smaller, 4.4-liter V8 joined the lineup in the late 1970s, along with the more famous 5.0-liter displacement. The larger 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter V8s propelled the performance-oriented models, paired with manual or automatic transmissions, though automatic was more common.
1984-1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4
Older Corvettes like the C4 generation can offer great value for a V8 manual sports car, especially with the ZR-1 and Grand Sport models. The ZR-1 benefited from a dual overhead cam V8 engine co-developed with Lotus.
The C4 Corvette offered various V8 engines throughout its 1984-‘96 production run, including the 230–250-hp 5.7-liter L98 and the 300-hp LT1 V8. The LT1 powered the later models from 1992, while the L98 powered the initial models from 1985.
The ZR-1’s LT5 was offered between 1990 and 1995, producing 375 to 405 hp. Don’t expect a ZR-1 for $10,000, but you can find C4 Corvettes with that budget. They came with automatic and manual shifters – a 4-speed manual initially and later a 6-speed manual.
1981-1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The Supreme was part of the long-running Cutlass nameplate produced between 1981 and 1988. Olds evolved into a midsize coupe in the 1980s, but you could still see and even feel its muscle car heritage. The Supreme had a V6 heart, but the V8 was the one for enthusiasts, especially when paired with a stick shift.
Automatic was the dominant shifter, along with an optional manual that’s now quite rare. The ’80s Cutlass Supreme featured a 5.0-liter V8 that produced 140 to 150 hp and a 5.7-liter that upped the ante just a little bit.
There was the emissions regulation to worry about by then. Notably, the Hurst Lightning Rod automatic shifter featured three separate levers that allowed manual control over the automatic transmission. It has been called the craziest ‘80s transmission tech ever built.
1971–1977 Ford Maverick
The classic Maverick was a compact car, not a pickup. It was born as a 2-door sedan (since you wouldn’t exactly call it a sports car) and later matured into a 4-door sedan. Ford used it to take on Japanese imports like the Datsun 610 and Toyota Mark II, so the Maverick had to be affordable. We know it’s perfectly possible to get them for less than $10,000 because BringaTrailer brokered one for $5,400 last year.
Of course, the price ultimately depends on the car’s overall condition, mileage, and specific features. The Maverick got motivation from a range of straight-six engines, and a Windsor V8 typically mated to the Ford C4 automatic. However, a 3-speed manual was available, and some models even offered a 4-speed manual.
1975–1980 Chevrolet Monza
The Monza is a classic sporty coupe people tend to underrate, even though it combined an RWD (rear-wheel-drive) drivetrain with V6 and V8 engines. They called it the “Italian Vega” (Monza was based on the Chevy Vega) because the Monza’s design mirrored the Ferrari 365 GTC/4.
Of course, there was the 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine along with the 3.8-liter V6 and 5.6-liter small-block V8. A 3-speed automatic transmission channeled power to the rear wheels, but there was also a 4-speed and 5-speed manual transmission.
While it largely depends on where you shop and the car’s overall condition, it’s quite possible to find a Monza for under $10,000. Just be prepared to do some restorations because you have a slim chance of snagging well-maintained models at that price.
1969-1976 Dodge Dart Swinger
The Swinger name was born as a Dart trim level in 1969. It delivered strong V8 performance in a smaller, more affordable package. Not only that, but it also came standard with a manual transmission. Naturally, gearheads and muscle car fans favored the V8s, the most common of which was the 5.2-liter displacement with 230 to 250 hp.
The output may not seem like much, but the Swinger was relatively lighter and therefore quick off the mark. There was also the 5.6-liter (340 cu-in) V8 producing 275 hp and a significantly larger 6.3-liter (383 cu-in) that delivered more brute force and torque.
An optional 4-speed manual gearbox along with the standard 3-speed shifter urged the rear wheels. It’s quite possible to come face to face with an under-$10,000 Swinger if you’re willing to ignore the 340 cu-in and focus on the 318 cu-in.
1973–1977 Pontiac Ventura
“Occasionally” is the watchword here: The classic Ventura can occasionally be found under $10,000. It shared a platform with the Chevrolet Nova and got motivation from Chevy-supplied small-block mills, including the 5.7-liter Pontiac V8, producing 150 hp at 4,000 rpm.
Others include a 170-hp 6.6-liter V8 and a 7.5-liter producing 215 hp at 4,000 rpm and 370 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. Of course, the 100-hp 4.1-liter straight-six doesn’t count for this article.
A 3-speed stick-shift or optional 4-speed manual and 3-speed automatic shifters transmitted power to the rear wheels. We know you can still find Venturas for under $10,000 because a 1973 model was listed for around $8,000 recently.
1968–1974 Chevrolet Nova
Nova is a classic compact car that stood out for its straightforward design, affordability, and unlikely performance. It was introduced with 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines, and V8-powered Nova models in fair condition can still be found at an affordable price.
The V8 powerplants include the 283 cu-in and 327 cu-in displacements, producing 195-220 and 250-300 hp, respectively. Chevrolet added a 350 cu-in V8 for the 1970 model year and onwards, producing 245-300 hp.
A 3-speed automatic routed power to the rear wheels, but enthusiasts gravitated towards the 3-speed stick-shift or optional 4-speed manual. A Nova can be yours for less than $10,000.
1970-1976 Plymouth Duster
The Duster was known for its affordability and light body, and V8 models are still out there for less than $10,000. That’s especially the case if you’re fine with some restoration work. After all, the A-bodied Duster was Plymouth’s most popular model during its production run. At that time, the
Duster benefited from a variety of powerplants, including potent 6- and 8-cylinder units. Plymouth introduced a 230-hp 5.2-liter V8 for the 1970 model year and onwards and, in 1971, a 5.9-liter option producing anywhere from 245 hp to 300 hp.
You could say the 5.9-liter V8 is where the Duster came into its own as a true muscle car. Many Dusters came standard with a 3-speed manual tranny. A 4-speed stick-shift and 3-speed automatic were also available.