Coupes under $50k

  1. Home /
  2. 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

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

Fiat 124 Abarth
Reviews

Abarth 124 Spider review

An Italian with a Japanese skeleton, we test the Abarth 124 Spider.

Lynk and Co SUV
News

Lynk & Co SUV to kick-start new Chinese brand

Newborn Chinese manufacturer Lynk & Co debuts production-ready SUV with global ambition

Volkswagen Polo GTI
Best Value Performance Cars

Volkswagen Polo GTI #2: BFYB 2016 $0-50K

Well-endowed hot hatch falls just short

Holden at Bathurst 1000
News

Holden confirms no Bathurst clash with factory closure

The company has ruled out a repeat of Ford’s faux pas when it wraps up manufacturing late next year.

HSV GTS-R
News

HSV to move facilities

Walkinshaw signs 15-year lease to bring all its growing empires to the one site.

Mazda CX-9
Reviews

Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD Quick Review

WhichCar puts the middle of the range Mazda CX-9 to the test.

green traffic light
News

New technology could see you catch every green light

Don’t let red lights ruin your run home. New technology will you ensure you get the dream green-run home.

Skoda Yeti
News

Skoda Yeti gets simplified SUV range

Skoda Australia has upped the price of entry-level Yeti small-SUV while introducing a cheaper turbo-petrol engine to its top-spec 4X4 variant.

Gymkhana Hoonigan Ken Block
News

Ken Block teases Pikes Peak tyre-shredding video

The master of destroying tyres teases new video at the world’s most famous hillclimb

Tesla Model 3
News

Tesla confirms fully autonomous hardware for all new cars

Full self-driving functionality being built into all new Teslas from today, although software and regulations mean it’s still years from working fully.

criminal breaking into car
News

Victoria leading state in vehicle theft

More cars were stolen in Victoria than any other state as vehicle theft continues to rise. The Holden Commodore was the most susceptible to theft according to recent data.

FPV GT P versus Mad Max interceptor
Classic Wheels

Archive: FPV GT-P vs Mad Max Interceptor

Three decades after Mad Max brought the blown Falcon to the big screen, we strap into FPV’s supercharged V8 GT for an 1150km maxxed-out mission to meet that iconic ’80s star.

Jamie Whincup V8 Supercars
Motorsport

Jamie Whincup slams Supercars for ‘playing dirty’

Six-time V8 Supercar champion says category was interfering in appeal process

Chrysler 300 SRT long-term report four
Features

Chrysler 300 SRT long-term report four

What’s a watt got to do with it?

Peugeot 308 GTi 250
Best Value Performance Cars

Peugeot 308 GTi 250 #3: BFYB 2016 $0-50K

French flyer grips a podium spot

Audi R8 Spyder
Reviews

2017 Audi R8 Spyder: 10 things you didn’t know

Audi’s R8 supercar has had a haircut, and the result is a car that’s quite different to its tin-top sibling – in more ways than one.

Audi R8 GT
News

2017 Audi R8: lightweight GT special planned, but no V6

A V6 base model is unlikely for Audi’s R8 supercar, but a track-spec R8 GT is high on the agenda.

Mercedes-AMG OEM Wheel
News

Why you shouldn’t buy knock-off wheels

Testing reveals the danger of putting counterfeit alloys on your car.

Mid-size sedan comparison
Advice

Top 10 best family sedans

We tested 10 of the biggest sellers in Australian sedans to see which is the best of the current crop.

World Rallycross
News

Kevin Eriksson’s wild Rallycross drift overtake

Rounding up four cars in a single corner = epic

VW Golf GTI
Best Value Performance Cars

Volkswagen Golf GTI #4 BFYB 2016 $0-50K

Fast and fun, but needs to fire the nanny

Audi R8 V10
News

Audi R8 to continue with V10 power beyond 2020

Audi’s glorious naturally-aspirated V10 is not, as some may believe, on the chopping block

Audi R8 Spyder
Reviews

2017 Audi R8 Spyder Quick Review

Audi’s top-tier supercar sheds its top for a little more excitement.

Ferrari's and Flavio Manzoni
Features

Meeting Ferrari’s Flavio Manzoni

MOTOR sends a very qualified correspondent to grill Flavio Manzoni – the man responsible for how every new Ferrari looks