Columbus
Columbus
There are currently 14 manual cars for sale across Australia on Cars24, ranging from $10,190 to $52,990, and this includes a selection of ute, hatchback and performance models. Last year, the number of cars sold with manual transmissions accounted for about 2-3% of used vehicle sales, which is a smaller pool to choose from, so finding the right model is more critical than simply browsing for a wide range of models.
Here’s a table explaining both transmissions and which one you should pick as per your lifestyle.
Your situation | Better fit | Why this transmission |
Towing or off-road/4x4 driving | Manual | Direct gear control under load (more common in ute variants) |
Want a lower purchase price, don’t mind less resale demand | Manual | Mostly priced below equivalent automatics |
Want the most involved, hands-on driving feel | Manual | Standard on the most performance-oriented models |
Mostly start-stop city driving | Automatic | Less physically tiring in heavy traffic |
Multiple drivers, not everyone can drive manually | Automatic | Removes the compatibility issue and is good for new drivers |
Want more choices of models and years | Automatic | Manual manufacturing is limited; therefore, manual stock is limited |
These are our top-selling used manual cars on sale in Australia.
If you need | Choose | Fuel type |
A tow-capable work ute | Toyota HiLux or Mitsubishi Triton (4x4 diesel) | Diesel |
Cheapest way into manual ownership | Mazda 3 or Volkswagen Polo | Petrol |
Compact SUV with manual availability | Mazda CX-3 | Petrol |
Performance and driver engagement | Subaru WRX | Petrol |
Hot hatch with everyday usability | Volkswagen Golf or Hyundai i30 N | Petrol |
Used Mitsubishi Triton cars in Australia | 3 | $19,090 - $26,790 |
Used Subaru WRX cars in Australia | 2 | $24,990 - $32,990 |
Used Suzuki Jimny cars in Australia | 2 | $27,890 - $29,090 |
Every Cars24 Select used manual transmission car comes with
30-Day Return Guarantee*
Home delivery
3-month roadside assistance
Rego & transfer service
Car condition report
300-point inspection
RWC & PPSR
Referral benefits worth $1000+
Got a car to sell?
Get a free valuation instantly
Check car loan eligibility in just 2 mins
Best interest ratesNo impact on credit score
The Mitsubishi Triton and Toyota HiLux are the most dependable manual models, especially in 4x4 diesel variants. If towing capacity or low-range off-road control is more important to you than convenience, choose these rather than a manual gearbox. A manual gearbox provides more control of power delivery under load than most automatic gearboxes in this class
Model | Drive type | Best suited for | Fuel type |
Mitsubishi Triton | 4x2 or 4x4 | Tradespeople, towing and off-road work | Diesel |
Toyota Hilux | 4x2 or 4x4 | Work, towing, off-road and recreational use | Diesel |
The Subaru WRX, the Volkswagen Golf and the Hyundai i30 N are top-selling performance manual cars known for their driving experience. If you're cross-shopping these, the WRX will be more about straight performance and all-weather traction, whereas the Golf and i30 N will be more about the practicality of being a hot hatch for everyday.
Model | Drive type | Best suited for | Fuel type |
Subaru WRX | All-wheel drive AWD | Performance driving and passionate drivers | Petrol |
Volkswagen Golf | Front-wheel drive FWD | Daily commuting, city driving and small families | Petrol |
The Mazda 3, Volkswagen Polo, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Yaris are the cheaper manual variants, typically coming in at less expense than their automatic versions. If budget is the deciding factor and not a particular preference for manual driving, then choose this group.
Model | Drive type | Best suited for | Fuel type |
Front-wheel drive (FWD) | Daily commuting, small families and first-time buyers | Petrol | |
Front-wheel drive (FWD) | City driving, first-time buyers and daily commuting | Petrol | |
Front-wheel drive or All Wheel Drive (AWD) | City driving, small families and buyers wanting a compact SUV | Petrol | |
Front-wheel drive (FWD) | City driving, daily commuting and first-time buyers | Petrol |
Price band | Model | Best suited for |
Under $15,000 | Mazda 3, Polo, Yaris | Budget-focused buyers |
$15,000-$25,000 | CX-3, ASX, Triton, HiLux | Work use and everyday driving |
$25,000-$34,000 | WRX, Golf, latest model Triton | Enthusiast and performance buyers |
Clutch condition: Check on the hill start and stop driving, if the clutch is stiff, spongy or is biting high, it is worn out.
Gear shift quality: Check for any grinding or resistance, especially when shifting into second gear or reverse.
Under load behaviour: Check clutch under load behaviour (if possible) on a ute or 4x4 under towing or low range.
Service history: Ensure regular servicing and no service gaps.
Check PPSR: Check if the car isn’t reported stolen or under finance.
All Cars24 Select manual cars undergo a 300-point inspection, including clutch tests and drivetrain tests, before being listed.
Explore our website or shortlist from the table above that fits your work, budget or performance.
Search for cars by model, price or location and read the PPSR report and car condition report for each listing.
If you need a loan, apply for a pre-approved loan from Cars24. You can check payment plans without affecting your credit score.
Make sure you reserve the car or book a test drive.
After payment, you can choose to pick up from hub or get it home delivered.
If it does not meet your needs, return it within 30 days under the Cars24 Return Guarantee*.
If you tow, drive off-road regularly, or want the most engaged driving feel, a manual is usually the better fit. If you drive mostly in heavy traffic or share the car with drivers who can't drive a manual, an automatic removes that friction entirely.
The best options are the Toyota HiLux in 4x4 power on diesel fuel or the Mitsubishi Triton in 4x4 power on diesel fuel, both with direct gear control for managing loads.
The Mazda 3 or Volkswagen Polo typically offer the lowest entry price into manual ownership.
Manual transmission is associated with the Subaru WRX, which is the closest thing to a benchmark here, thanks to its performance reputation and driver appeal.
Manual utes, particularly in 4x4 diesel variants like the HiLux and Triton, often hold reasonably strong resale value among tradespeople who specifically want manual control for towing and off-road work. However, automatic utes tend to appeal to a broader buyer pool, so overall demand and resale speed can be higher for automatics even if manual variants attract a dedicated niche.
Yes, usually resale demand is less than for automatics. You need to take this factor into consideration if you intend to resell in a few years.
Clutch condition. You should try it on a hill start and when the car is in a stop-start situation; listen for grinding or resistance during gear changes.
Manual gearboxes are generally cheaper to maintain long-term since they have fewer complex components than automatic transmissions, with the main wear item being the clutch, which typically needs replacement less often than a full automatic transmission service or rebuild. That said, clutch replacement can still be a significant one-off cost, so checking clutch condition during inspection is important regardless of price.
Browse Used Cars by Popular Make: Used Audi cars in Australia | Used BMW cars in Australia | Used Byd cars in Australia | Used Chery cars in Australia | Used Cupra cars in Australia | Used Ford cars in Australia | Used GWM cars in Australia | Used Gac cars in Australia | Used Genesis cars in Australia | Used Great Wall cars in Australia | Used Haval cars in Australia | Used Holden cars in Australia | Used Honda cars in Australia | Used Hyundai cars in Australia | Used Isuzu cars in Australia | Used Jaecoo cars in Australia | Used Jaguar cars in Australia | Used Jeep cars in Australia | Used Kia cars in Australia | Used LDV cars in Australia | Used Lexus cars in Australia | Used MG cars in Australia | Used Mahindra cars in Australia | Used Mazda cars in Australia | Used Mercedes-amg cars in Australia | Used Mercedes-benz cars in Australia | Used Mitsubishi cars in Australia | Used Nissan cars in Australia | Used Peugeot cars in Australia | Used Porsche cars in Australia | Used Renault cars in Australia | Used SKODA cars in Australia | Used Ssangyong cars in Australia | Used Subaru cars in Australia | Used Suzuki cars in Australia | Used Tesla cars in Australia | Used Toyota cars in Australia | Used Volkswagen cars in Australia | Used Volvo cars in Australia
Browse Used Cars by Location: Used cars in Brisbane | Used cars in Melbourne | Used cars in Sydney
