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
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Corby’s rant: L Platers
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Corby’s rant: speeding
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Dog eats Aston Martin
Bad dog!
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Corby’s rant: lying Germans
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The final four, COTY 2008
The final four, COTY 2008
The proving ground, COTY 2008
The proving ground, COTY 2008
Behind the lens at COTY 2008
Behind the lens at COTY 2008
GALLERY: Car of the Year 2005 – Intro
GALLERY: Car of the Year 2005 – Intro
COTY 2008 – Judge and jury
Introducing the 2008 Car of the Year panel.
The Bible – COTY criteria
A breakdown of the five COTY commandments.
2008 Car of the Year: Carmageddon
Michael Stahl looks over the auto mania and mysticism that was Car of the Year 2008.
2008 Car of the Year Finalist: BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible
COTY success evades BMW again despite engaging dynamics and refined drivetrains.
2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Smart ForTwo
Much improved, but needs a broader skill set to make sense in Oz.
2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Jaguar XF
A welcome return to form but let down by sub-standard petrol V6 powerplant.
2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Peugeot 308
Premium European pricing, but lacking the requisite je ne sais quoi.
2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Mazda CX-9
A roomy, refined and surprisingly dynamic large SUV, but mould remains unbroken.
2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Fabulous tech and undoubted bang for buck, but too hardcore for COTY greatness.
COTY 2008 – Mitsu Lancer Ralliart Sportback
‘Evo lite’ not without virtue, but lacks the depth to run with COTY heavyweights.
COTY 2008 – Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Uncompromising performance proves both a strength and a weakness.
