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

Michael Stahl crunches the numbers on power to weight ratios
Stahl searches beyond the conventional car for the ultimate power to weight combination

Ford Ranger XLT vs Mercedes-Benz X-Class Progressive
Popular patriot bumps gloves with polished dual-cab newcomer

BMW M5 v Mercedes-AMG E63 S: Four to the floor
BMW’s first all-wheel-drive M5 squares up against the current super-sedan champ, Mercedes-AMG’s E63 S 4Matic. Strap in, because this one escalates quickly

Opinion: Forget SUVs, let’s make vans cool again
Why bother copying the Range Rover when there is a cooler, more practical shape to follow?

2005 Maserati GranSport vs Porsche 911 Carrera S comparison review: classic MOTOR
Were Maserati’s GranSport and Porsche’s 911 Carrera S knocking on the door of the supercar club?

In Gear: Our pick of awesome gadgets in May
Our picks of the most awesome automotive-related gear we found in May

Wounded Lion: Holden’s struggle to stay alive – report
Sales in freefall. Dealer unrest. Holden is fighting for survival

Pagani Raduno brings ultra-exotics to Australia: gallery
Pagani sizes up Australia with an action-packed rally on some of our best driving roads

Opinion: Australians moving onto new performance car heroes
Interest in performance cars seems to be shifting since we lost the Falcon and Commodore

2018 Volkswagen Golf R Grid performance review
Budget-based Golf R is a tantalising prospect

Stephen Corby faces the prospect of moving to EVs
Big problems require giant solutions

The Other Senna: Bruno on his Uncle Ayrton and helping McLaren develop a beast
Bruno Senna reflects on growing up with a legend and his own time in F1

Future versions of Apple CarPlay to support Google Maps
Pairing your iPhone to your car’s infotainment system will no longer mean being at the mercy of Apple Maps

Robot traffic cones could ease roadwork snarls
A UK company is developing witches’ hats that can be remotely moved on and off the road to close off lanes only when needed

Hyundai reveals HDC-2 Grandmaster Concept
The large SUV is the second concept to preview the Korean brand’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language

Opel rolls out next-gen infotainment to Commodore’s Euro cousin
A more advanced driver interface includes sharper looks, a beefed-up sat-nav system, and room for multiple users

V8-powered Audi A8 ute for sale
This is what nightmares are made of

World Rallycross Championship to go electric
RX to be the Electric World Rallycross Championship from 2020

Saved by the Bell: 2019 F1 helmet revealed
Bell ends speculation over Formula 1’s mandatory helmet safety standards

911 Carrera RS CS; BMW 325ix; Roush RS3; RX-7; VT Clubsport: Classifieds of the week
A Carrera RS Clubsport ignites a window-shopping frenzy

Hypercars to be allowed in WEC
FIA World Motor Sport Council announces host of changes to world motorsport

2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS review
Porsche’s flagship turbocharged 718 Boxster wings in. Blown idol or a couple of cylinders short of a six-pack?

Hyundai Aus welcomes i30 N production push plans
Talk of increased production of the firebrand i30 N welcomed as local fans form a queue

Everything you need to know about the 2018 Ford Mustang
More mature Mustang gets a substantial makeover with better manners, performance and noise