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

Australia’s best-selling cars to be tested for ‘real-world’ fuel use
The Volkswagen emissions scandal and questionable lab tests have prompted the search for real-world fuel use ratings.

Audi Matrix LED headlight technology: does it work?
Car makers can never be accused of living in the dark ages when it comes to innovation, and manufacturers continue to develop ever-cleverer tech for night driving.

Mazda MX-5 1.5-litre vs 2.0-litre
We’re naturally attracted to the ‘big block’ 2.0-litre MX-5, but the extra grunt doesn’t necessarily make it the star sibling

1937 Delage D8-120: retro series
A dashing Frenchman left behind this classic as his legacy.

Tetsuya Tada-San: The man behind the Toyota 86
Toyota 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada opens up on what’s next for the smash-hit coupe – and drops a few ‘Supra’ hints

10 automotive facts you may not know about Brazil
The 2016 Olympics host nation is best known for great beaches, rainforests, footballers with one-word names and scantily clad samba dancers, but it also has a rich automotive heritage.

Hyundai Veloster update goes premium only
Hyundai Veloster Series II drops entry-level models and gains better mobile phone integration

1968 Gilltrap’s Auto Museum review
Nine years after Gilltrap’s Auto Museum opened on the Gold Coast, Wheels finally ran a story on what was then Australia’s best car collection.

Classic Wheels: Gilltrap’s Auto Museum review
Former Wheels editor Bill Tuckey used a number of clever ways of making readers think the magazine had more resources – and reach – than the smell of an oily rag allowed. Rather than send staffer Tom Floyd to Gilltrap’s Auto Museum on the Gold Coast, Tuckey asked him to pen a series of letters between journalist and editor to write a story on a landmark that Wheels never officially visited

Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ recalled
Power steering fault sends 15,000 86/BRZ models back to their maker

BMW 3 Series GT range updated
Styling tweaks and a more fuel-efficient petrol engine highlight changes to BMW’s 3 Series fastback range.

Lexus RX450h Quick Review
Lexus’ upgraded medium SUV comes with a hybrid option that has its pros and cons.

Flyin’ Miata reveal V8 Mazda MX-5
LS3-powered MX-5 scares supercars stateside

Child car seats safety guide
Kids’ car seats – when to turn them around, when to upgrade, when to say goodbye.

Aston Martin DB11 review
The most interesting Aston Martin in ages, the DB11 introduces a new V12 engine and all-aluminium platform, and provides a first taste of the fruits of the brand’s tech tie-up with Daimler

Man denied LaFerrari Aperta, sues Ferrari
Leading US collector sues Ferrari for reputation damage

2018 Volkswagen Polo GTI spy pics
Next-gen VW Polo GTI gears up to steal the supermini hot-hatch crown from Ford Fiesta ST

Mike Borland: Racing car construction
Unassuming local engineer takes on the world, and wins.

Carmakers spark aluminium shortage
Suppliers are struggling to keep up with the auto industry’s appetite for the lightweight metal.

NSX to spark Honda sports car resurgence
Hybrid supercar key to reigniting Honda’s performance passion

Ford GTs allocated to customers
Ford sends out acceptance and rejection letters to applicants

Nissan BladeGlider prototype revealed
Nissan has revealed a working prototype of its BladeGlider concept. Wowsers may want to look away

Tesla Model X P90D for $201K– Is it worth it?
Is $200,000+ too much to pay for an electric SUV? Tesla reckons its Model X P90D justifies its price, but what else could you get for the same money?

The world’s fastest delivery van
Electric delivery can slays supercars