Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Despite vocal demands from purists, automakers are systematically eliminating the third pedal from their lineups in favor of quicker, more profitable automatic and dual-clutch gearboxes. For American buyers seeking an engaging, analog driving experience, the door is rapidly slamming shut. By the end of 2026, five prominent manual sports cars will be retired from production.Volkswagen Jetta GLIVWVolkswagen has already stripped the manual option from the Golf GTI and Golf R in North America. Now, the executioner has come for the Jetta GLI. Volkswagen recently confirmed that starting with the 2027 model year, the GLI will exclusively feature the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission to pair with its 228-horsepower 2.0-liter EA888 engine. That makes the 2026 Jetta GLI the absolute final new Volkswagen you can buy with three pedals in the United States. It is a quiet, unceremonious end for a legendary enthusiast lineage.BMW M3BMWGiven the electrification talks of the next-generation M3, we can almost confidently say that, even though there are reports of a combustion-powered next-generation M3, we may not see a manual transmission. While the possibility of an ICE M3 has recently been spoken about by executives from BMW M Division, it would be wishful thinking to expect the manual to carry on in the M3 in any significant way, relegating the stick-shift experience to the M2, and maybe the M4.Toyota GR Supra & BMW Z4ToyotaView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe shared Austrian assembly line for the Toyota GR Supra and BMW Z4 is prepping for the end of an era. Both models are bowing out with 2026 "Final Edition" variants. While armchair critics spent years fixating on the Supra's BMW-sourced DNA, the real casualty here is the imminent loss of its tactile six-speed manual gearbox paired with that turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. It's a bitter exit for a platform that finally gave enthusiasts the analog engagement they begged for.Cadillac CT5-V BlackwingCadillacGeneral Motors has formally outlined the end of the line for its current sedan roster. The CT4 ends production in June 2026, with the larger CT5 following by late 2026. This spells the death of the mighty CadillacCT5-V Blackwing. Hand-built at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, this 668-horsepower supercharged V8 monster stands alone as the final eight-cylinder, manual-transmission sedan on the market. While a next-generation gas-powered CT5 is planned, the manual Blackwing as we know it is dead.The Reality Of The IndustryGiven falling demand for these niche sports cars, and electrification being peddled in the name of environmentalism, the business case for the stick shift has collapsed. If you want to experience these analog performance cars off the showroom floor, 2026 is your final opportunity to get yourself one of these undeniable future classics.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.