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
Rally driver narrowly avoids disaster in the snow
The European winter has provided us with no shortage of videos featuring cars doing mental things in snow. And today is no different.
Formula racer laps snow-covered Nurburgring
Many have been complaining about Europe’s recent cold snap, but car enthusiasts seem to be having the time of their lives. So when the infamous Nurburgring received a white blanket, there was only one thing to do: go racing!
New BMW M6 2012-2013 coupe & convertible revealed
BMW has revealed the new 2012 M6 – the hottest version of the 6 Series – in both coupe and convertible form. Using the same 418kW 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 as the BMW M5, it rushes from 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds.
New 2012 Audi TT RS Plus
Audi has pumped up its performance TT RS variant for 2012 with the launch of a more powerful TT RS Plus variant. With the promise of more power, more speed and more dynamics, the TT RS Plus will debut at the Geneva Motor Show and go on sale later in 2012.
2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
Aston Martin has revealed the production-ready V12 Zagato that will appear in showrooms later in 2012. The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato becomes Aston Martin’s new range-topping car and is a modern day descendent of the original 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato.
Wheels review: BMW M5
At 250km/h the big BMW is covering 67.5 metres every second. The 200 metre braking marker flashes by in my peripheral vision as the speed limiter finally softens the mighty twin turbo V8 at an indicated 267km/h.
VW announces 2012 Up! five-door
Volkswagen has announced details of its new five-door Up! city car.
Volkswagen confirms the Scirocco R Sports
Volkswagen has officially confirmed the Scirocco R sports coupe’s arrival in Australia early in 2012
Wheels: Hot VW coupe to blow in
Golf R grunt in a svelte three-door, four-seat coupe package – that’s the Scirocco R, due here late this year and priced from $47,490.
BMW M5 – track review
Curiously for a drive program conducted exclusively on a race circuit, three BMW staff make asides that the M5 isn’t really a track car. But despite the veiled concern, it’s little wonder the M5 feels at home on a fast circuit.
Morgan unveil Aero Coupe
British carmaker Morgan has released pictures and details of the Aero Coupe; a practical supercar that it will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Nissan reveal Invitation concept
Nissan has released details of a new small car called the Invitation, which will be placed between the smaller Micra city car and larger Juke crossover. The concept – which is more of a production car preview – will be officially unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show.
Son crashes dad’s rally car – into the ocean!
Usually when a young guy crashes his dad’s car it’s because he’s stolen the keys and gone joyriding. However Andrew Miedecke willingly handed over the keys to his beloved V8 Ford Capri Perana to race in last week’s Targa Wrest Point road rally in Tasmania.
Aston Martin opens new heritage showroom
Classic Aston Martins are things of sublime beauty – whether it’s the flowing curves of a 60s DB4 or DB5, or the rugged looks of the 1970s V8 Vantage, a very British muscle car. And now you can buy one through an official Aston Heritage dealership.
Peter Robinson tells: “I’m in love with a Toyota”
Last week, Wheels’ Peter Robinson was the first man to get behind the wheel of the first Toyota 86 coupe to arrive on Australian soil. “Not since first driving the Boxster in August, 1996, has any car left me as thrilled, or utterly excited, as the 86,” said Robbo.
New Smart ForTwo for 2012
So much for seeing an all-new Smart ForTwo at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show – Mercedes’ city car brand has just announced a minor spring refresh for the existing model instead.
RC car battles drift champion
Drifting legend Vaughn Gittin Jr. has taken on his RC car doppelganger in an epic drift battle to promote his upcoming line of remote-controlled Ford Mustang GT replicas. ?
First ever snowmobile front flip
Daredevil Heath Frisby has become the first person in history to successfully complete a front flip on a snowmobile.
VW e-Up! ready for production
Volkswagen have announced that a full production version of its e-Up! concept will be available in 2013. The e-Up! is a zero-emissions electric version of the hugely popular Up! city car.
Porsche Panamera Kahn edition
Kahn Design has given the Porsche Panamera a wide track makeover, complete with billet aluminium detailing, chunky wheel arch extensions and 22-inch wheels – not to mention a vivid red interior finish.
Bentley Continental GT becomes 420kW sled dog
The folks at Bentley have decided to liven up the usually mundane winter sport of “skijoring” by giving a group of journalists from AutoExpress the chance to experience it whilst holding onto the reins of a V8-powered Continental GT.
Obama’s Chrysler on sale for $1m
A Chrysler 300C once driven by US President Barack Obama has been put up for auction on eBay – with a starting price of $1 million US.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport yellow edition
Bugatti has shown a dramatic yellow and black ‘Bumblebee’ version of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport at the super-rich Qatar Motor Show 2012.
BMW M diesels: new for 2012 with 284kW and three turbos!
Look out world – the first BMW M diesels are on the way. Badged M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, they’re packing THREE turbochargers, 284kW and 740Nm of torque, and debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
