Coupes under $50k
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- 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
New Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar has confirmed it will return to the two-seater sports car sector with a production version of last year’s C-X16 concept car that will be called the Jaguar F-Type (not F Type!). It is expected to cost from around $150,000 when it goes on sale with a release date of mid-2013.
Woman, 93, retires ’64 Mercury after clocking almost one million kilometres
It’s the end of an extremely long road for a 93-year-old Florida woman’s beloved 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente. The now vintage car has racked up an astonishing 926 982km since it was purchased for just $3289 nearly 50 years ago.
2,000hp Ford GT sets acceleration record
American racing driver Sean Kennedy has broken the world acceleration record for the standing mile, reaching 414.7km/h (257.7mph) over the distance in a highly modified Ford GT supercar.
MINI reveals Cowley and Swindon models
MINI has revealed the latest new models in its range expansion – a new two-berth caravan called Cowley and a two-man tent called Swindon.
BMW i8 Concept Spyder revealed
BMW has revealed a new open-top Spyder version of its 260kW plug-in hybrid i8 Concept sportscar, prior to its full reveal at the Beijing Motor Show on 23 April.
Crazy animal-related car insurance claims
UK insurance firm Admiral insurance has released its top 12 most unusual animal-related car insurance claims from the last two years. And one message is clear: if you see a peacock, turn around and run.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS revealed
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the upcoming and all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS, a month out from its its Paris Auto Show debut in September
Europeans waste more than $6 billion due to underinflated tires
Two in three European motorists are driving with underinflated tires — which is costing them the equivalent of more than $6 billion AUD in unnecessary fuel spending.
Ford upgrades Fiesta Econetic to 3.3L/100km
Ford has announced a series of upgrades to the frugal Fiesta Econetic, resulting in CO2 emissions reduced to 87g/km and a claimed 2.7L/100km – a 12 per cent improvement overall.
Porsche’s fastest (and greenest) supercar on its way
Porsche has just released the crucial details on its upcoming 918 Spyder supercar. The plug-in hybrid will signal a new era in motoring with its blistering performance and Prius-beating fuel economy.
$1.5m Pagani Huayra finally on sale
The new supercar is finally ready for customers – chassis number one has just gone on sale in Switzerland.
BMW recalls 1.3 million cars worldwide
BMW has announced a huge global recall of previous-generation 5 Series and 6 Series models, which affects 1.3 million cars built between 2003 and 2010.
2012 Nissan GT-R now on sale
The new Nissan GT-R is here, bringing with it a host of mechanical updates and a $2,000 increase in price to $170,800.
Rolls Royce hearse lets you leave in style
They say you can’t take it with you, so why not spend all your grandchildren’s inheritance on this Phantom hearse from Rolls Royce?
Wheels Magazine: Holden Commodore LPG
Fuel economy has been the bane of Australia’s large locally-built rear-wheel drive cars, but Holden is hoping it will now become an asset courtesy of the new dedicated LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Commodore launched this week.
Brabus tune electric smart car for Geneva Motor Show
Mercedes tuning specialist Brabus has revealed its ‘sports car with a green heart’, the Brabus smart fortwo electric drive, ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
Official images of Bertone Nuccio concept
Italian car styler and coachbuilder Bertone has released preview pictures of its Lancia Stratos-inspired sports car, the Nuccio, ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
Honda’s European CR-V concept previews new model
One week out from the Geneva Motor Show, Honda has given us a glimpse of the CR-V European prototype. The concept reveals a near-final version of the all-new fourth-generation CR-V, and offers Australian customers a peek at what the car that will arrive here will look like.
Infiniti Emerg-E concept teased ahead of Geneva
The first official shots of Infiniti’s new mid-engined hybrid, the Emerg-E, have been released ahead of the concept’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
Citroen DS4 Racing hot hatch revealed
Citroen has revealed a surprise DS4 Racing concept car for the Geneva Motor Show 2012. The high-performance new variant has been developed by multiple WRC winners Citroen Racing and packs a potent 188kW 1.6-litre turbo engine.
2012 BMW 640d xDrive revealed
This is the 2012 BMW 640d xDrive – and that last bit is important. The German manufacturer’s xDrive moniker is significant because it means instead of power just being sent to the rear, as is conventional for any BMW, the car’s front wheels receive drive too.
Range Rover Evoque Convertible
Land Rover will reveal a shock Range Rover Evoque Convertible concept at the Geneva Motor Show 2012 next month – and if public reaction is positive, it could be given the go ahead for series production.
2012 BMW M135i ‘F21’ 3dr Concept
BMW has revealed a hot turbocharged six-cylinder Concept M135i model that also showcases the 1 Series three-door bodystyle for the first time.
New Volvo V40 revealed ahead of Geneva debut
Two official images of Volvo’s new V40 five-door hatchback have emerged online, offering a look at the updated exterior the new model receives.
