America Is Finally Getting the Manual Sports Car It Needs, But at What Cost?

Last September, Nissan finally answered enthusiasts’ prayers through the confirmation that it would be building a manual version of its up-spec Nismo-tuned Z. With the brand having originally launched the performance special as an automatic-only affair, common consensus found that a stick shift was the missing piece of the puzzle.

Nissan then only added fuel to the fire when it displayed a Nismo MT at the Tokyo Auto Salon. That’s because, along with it, the automaker also teased the world with a facelifted Z featuring a sleek new nose and a fresh green paint option.

Nissan

But now it seems that Nissan may have been getting everyone’s hopes up just a little too much. According to some recent reports, the updated model and the new six-speed Nismo are indeed still coming, but you’ll be lucky to get your hands on one.

Cutting back on Z production

For that matter, the Z will be a hot commodity in general. Nissan is moving to a build-to-order system for 2026, meaning that production will be considerably more limited for the model.

Nissan

In fact, according to some chatter on the forums — as later confirmed by The Drive and Nissan — dealers across the United States are to receive an average allocation of just three Zs. Yes, that would be for the entire year.

As if that wasn’t worrying enough, Carscoops has since reported that the desirable manual-equipped Nismo examples are to be rarer still. Citing an unnamed source close to the company, the outlet stated that the configuration will comprise less than 10 percent of Nissan’s total Z production.

Nissan

Moreover, the few six-speed Nismos that are to be built for 2027 have supposedly already been spoken for throughout the dealer network. Should this prove to be true, 2028 will be the earliest that you’ll be able to get your hands on one.

Regardless, given the scarcity, many buyers will instead have to settle for another trim — or pursue alternatives from other brands altogether.

Nissan

What’s Nissan’s game, anyway?

Assuming Nissan runs with these sorts of numbers, it’s a strategy that seems to benefit the used market and older dealer inventory. After all, the Z enjoyed a successful sales year in 2025.

Nissan

With some 5,487 cars sold, Nissan not only improved on its Z numbers by 73.4 percent compared to 2024 but also bettered its rival Supra by a hefty margin. Even with a slight increase YOY, Toyota still only managed to move 2,953 MKVs in total.

To that end, though the Z may come at a premium, it also outperformed the cheaper BRZ throughout 2025. Subaru sold just 2,882 of such cars over the course of the year — down from 2024 and amounting to almost 50 percent less than Nissan’s figure.

Nissan

Of course, it’s worth noting that the Z’s gains throughout that time have a lot to do with dealer incentives, as savvy buyers could often buy cars under retail.

As such, while it may have resulted in a boost in numbers, it seems Nissan would now prefer to rein in supply than have more new models competing with used inventory. Still, it comes at an odd time with the facelift, as the changes have only made the car’s looks more palatable.

Moreover, in the case of desirable trims like the manual Nismo, it seems like a bait and switch. Even assuming interested buyers can manage to find the long-desired model, let’s face it — they’re likely to be paying a significant markup, be it from a dealer or a third-party.

Nissan

Hopefully, Nissan will make some adjustments once the company has corrected its course. In the meantime, though, you might want to consider browsing the classifieds if you’re trying to scratch your Z itch.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics