Coupes under $50k
- Home /
- Best coupes under $50k
Whether you’re just starting to drive or heading into a mid-life crisis, coupes appeal to all of us. Luckily, these days you don’t need to spend big money to enjoy the thrills of the swept-back driving experience.
While you are able to buy a Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 for less than $40,000, choices start to expand once you’re shopping under the $50,000 so let’s start there.
Toyota 86
It is getting a little long in the tooth, but the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ combo still offers sports car thrills for an affordable price. Available in manual or automatic with a choice of specification levels, the Toyota 86 has stood the test of time despite external pressure to fill it with extra power.
Mazda MX-5
With the nameplate just celebrating its 30th birthday, there’s small wonder why so many flock to the Mazda MX-5 for an engaging top-down drive. Even if you’re more of a hard-top fan, Mazda now offers the RF version which includes a folding metal roof.
Hyundai i30 Fastback N
A relatively new player to the coupe game, Hyundai’s i30 N was transformed into a four-door coupe following the success of the hatchback. Sleeker styling marries with everything that made Hyundai’s first true hot hatch great
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate review
We drive the new Mercedes C-Class Estate on Aussie turf for the first time
V8 Supercars reveals turbocharged future
Turbo fours and sixes – and even four-seat coupes – eligible to rub paint with eight-pot muscle from 2017, V8 Supercars says
Vehicle sales crack million mark
Mazda 3 nudges out Corolla to take November’s bestseller title as sales top magic million
Smart ForFour review
The Smart ForFour has double the passenger capacity of the stubby ForTwo. But unlike Smart’s first attempt at a larger car a decade ago, this one sticks with the rear-engine and rear-drive layout
Ford quits V8 Supercars
No more factory Ford team from 2016
2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI review
Mid-life update of the Volkswagen Polo GTI adds a huge dollop of driver appeal. Highlights are a new, more powerful 1.8-litre turbo engine and the return of a six-speed manual option
Motor Sport Report – 1/12/14
Ambrose ready for V8 return; Hulkenberg to moonlight at Le Mans; Bathurst stoush goes global; David Wall joins Volvo; Freightliner backs BJR
Webber crashes out of WEC finale
Aussie ace escapes 300km/h crash, but Porsche still wins first comeback race
Mazda – The Wheels Report 2014
Teacher’s pet. Having taken a rest from massive growth over the past decade Mazda is poised to jump back on the horse and get the chart pointing north again. There’s little reason to doubt the CX-3 will be anything other than another class leader from a brand doing so much right.
Toyota – The Wheels Report 2014
Needs to apply more in light of intense competition. Share has slipped but Toyota retains solid grasp on number one position. Growth tricky to come by but recently updated Yaris and new HiLux and Camry should keep competitors at bay in key segments. If all else fails, marketing prowess should provide worthy safety net.
The Week in Review
First drives of Ford’s last local products; BMW plans supercar-beating hybrid; Struggling local manufacturers get more bad news
Lexus RC 350 review
New two-door coupe fattens Lexus’s appeal
Ford Falcon XR8 review
First drive of Ford’s latest V8 hero
2015 Ford Falcon XR6T review
No more huff for Ford’s turbocharged XR6, but a new look and better value add to the appeal of the last of an Aussie legend
2015 Ford Territory diesel review
It’s as mild as an update gets, but new infotainment tech and a freshened look add some sparkle to the trusty Territory in its twilight years
2015 Ford Falcon review
We drive the final update to the trusty Falcon. New tyres and the adoption of the G6 suspension tune are complemented by more features
McLaren P1 in Melbourne
But wait, there’s a catch
Jaguar F-Type updated with AWD and manual
All-paw traction and manual transmission adds breadth to F-Type range
Mercedes-Benz reveals the CLA 45 AMG Shooting Brake
Compact AMG family welcomes a wagon
Wheels December 2014 – Inside the Issue
We attempt to hit 300km/h in the Northern Territory, XR8 Coupe exposed, Ferrari F12 driven and more
Falcon XR8 gains tick for Vic P-platers
The final Falcon V8 had been given the state road safety watchdog’s approval for newly licenced Victorian drivers – but it’s been revealed as an ‘error’
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake breaks cover
Here’s the CLA Shooting Brake, the fifth and final model based on Mercedes-Benz’s small transverse-engine MFA platform
Ford ‘under-called’ XR8 demand
Showroom interest in reborn XR8 catches Ford by surprise
TARGET 300: Inside Herrod Motorsport
We speak to Rob Herrod of Herrod Motorsport about his unique role in in our Red Centre adventure
