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
BOOK REVIEW: In Control by Bob Watson
Wato has done it all. Now he’s writing about it.
Speedway’s deadly decade
Speedway racing in Australia exacted a tragic toll on drivers and riders in the 1960s. A just-launched book captures some of the high-flying drama.
LAUNCHED: Honda Odyssey
Almost-sexy seven-seater with substance.
Slide tracked – 370Z v Evo X
Zed plays the power card against Evo’s traction.
LAUNCHED: Nissan Maxima
New model worthy of more than just a blip on buyers’ radar.
Gone with the flow – Laurens van den Acker
The world’s hottest car designer has jumped ship from Mazda to Renault, taking his flowing, nature-inspired vision with him. Robbo asks Laurens van den Acker why.
Lexus banks on hybrids
Japanese premium car maker says to forget diesels and biofuels; the longer term future is hybrid technology.
Prius vs Insight (again)
Maybe it’s not quite the automotive equivalent of Ali vs Frazier, but the showdown between the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrids nevertheless is the talk of Japan right now.
Tiers of joy – Mazda 3 SP25 v Golf 118TSI
Moving down one level from GTI and MPS still brings miles of driving smiles.
The joy of VI – Golf GTI
More mid-range punch, better fuel economy, trick diff and impeccable DNA all cement the sixth-gen GTI’s status as the complete hot hatch.
X6 proves the doubters (and motoring journos) wrong
The melding of a sports coupe and SUV has been a niche hit for BMW. Next – the X6 M rocket.
LAUNCHED: Ferrari 599 HGTE
‘H’ for handling pack; ‘G’ for greatness.
‘Defective’ Renault models banned from China
Que? Here’s a turn up as China, that bastion of quality and high-tech design, claims Renault has shipped them problem cars.
The resurrection of Chrysler
Forty two days. That’s how long it took to bring bankrupt Chrysler back from the brink …
A black and green tyre
Hankook reckons motorists that low rolling resistance tyres and grip are NOT mutually exclusive.
LAUNCHED: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder
Open season in the bullpen? It’s a roar deal.
Only four stars for Aussie Jazz, Soul
The new Honda Jazz and Kia Soul compacts fall short of an ANCAP five star safety rating – despite full marks in European NCAP tests.
The many GMs of General Motors
The new New GM chairman is former AT&T chief Edward Whitacre, Jr.
Ladies, start your engines…
In a fortnight, The Circuit Club will fire up its first all-female track day …
What’s in a name?
The cost cap is still fuelling speculation of a breakaway F1 championship, and Lotus adds to the fire with a lease of its namesake.
Now with maw – Mazda 3 SP25
The gaping grille is the first indication that Mazda’s tighter, punchier new SP25 has an even healthier appetite for performance.
DOWNLOAD: Mazda6 vs Honda Accord Euro
Wheels Road Test Annual 2009 – Facing off here are the second generation of two of Japan’s best mid-sizers.
Rare 4WD Falcon honoured by Trax
Not everyone will remember the early seventies four-wheel-drive version of the XY Falcon ute.
Perfecting the pony
Wheels’ US correspondent John Lamm tests 599 Fiorano’s superior handling package.
