Coupes under $80k
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- Best coupes under $80k
If you’re lucky enough to in the market for a new luxury coupe, you’ll be able to net a bunch of powerful and stylish cars for your sub-$80k budget. Despite being limited to only two doors, coupes in this price range double down on the cool, as well as technology, design, speed and quality.
What’s more, the sheer volume of in this price range is high, so you’ll be well catered for in terms of options.

BMW 2 Series
The smallest offering of BMW’s coupe range, the 2 Series blends a small body with BMW’s famous driving characteristics. A number of engine options are available and the car comes in a convertible body style too.

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a bit of a weird one, in that it has four-doors but still retains coupe bodylines and is classed as such. Even still, the CLA is a pint-sized package that definitely punches above its weight grade.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Stepping up from the CLA, Mercedes offers the C-Class coupe. It’s larger, more powerful and costs a little more, but you’ll be rewarded with its sizeable interior and nicer materials in the interior.

2009 Mini Cabrio review
Like its pricey stablemate, the BMW M3 Convertible, the latest Mini Cooper S drop-top can put a smile on your dial while you get a 200km/h tan.

2009 VW Golf 103TDI Comfortline review
Four blokes pile into a Mk Vl Golf for a weekend getaway. Good thing the diesel derivative is punchy, swift and, errr, macho.

2009 Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman review
Not just a pretty facelift.

2009 Honda Civic hatch review
UK-built five-door has lots to offer Oz buyers … for a price.

2009 Kia Cerato review
Korean Corolla rival benefits from German influence

This week’s Wheels – Ford Fiesta LX
Prized progeny of the blue oval proves good drives can come in small packages.

Fiesta’s worth easy to gauge
Priorities in the Blue Oval’s new world car – safety, performance, fuel efficiency and road holding. How come the gauge needles don’t rate?

LAUNCHED: Lambo Murcielago LP670-4 SV
Lean beef that leaves you very full.

Positive spin – Toyota Prius
Geeks and greenies will love it unconditionally, but can Prius III also woo drivers?

Trued grit – Mazda 3 MPS
The second-gen of Mazda’s wild-child hot hatch is as wickedly potent as the first, but chassis changes have reined in the manic torque steer, and helped deliver handling that’s no longer a handful.

Indecent exposure – Audi TTS v BMW Z4 v Merc SLK 350 v Porsche Boxster S
Who needs sunshine when you have four of Germany’s hottest convertibles ready to unleash in the Aussie Alps?

LAUNCHED: Mini Cooper D
Outstanding efficiency in cute-as-a-button packaging.

The king and I – Porsche 911 Carrera S
Robbo lets rip in the latest iteration of a model that’s both infatuated and infuriated him over the last 40 years. So does the second-gen 997 retain its crown?

LAUNCHED: Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro
Turbo four definitely not on the nose.

LAUNCHED: Volkswagen Polo
New-gen small car ponies up tiny turbo tech.

Bloom times – Lotus Evora
It’s the Lotus built for touring, not just track days. But is the Evora enough to see the British sports-car maker blossom into a mainstream contender?

LAUNCHED: Audi TT RS
Reborn turbo five kicks RS, but chassis misses the sweet spot.

LAUNCHED: Audi S4
Supercharged V6 replaces atmo V8, but no sympathy cards required.

LAUNCHED: Skoda Octavia
Price-leader 1.6 joins value-packed range.

LAUNCHED: Kia Cerato Koup
Good looks and, umm, looks good.

LAUNCHED: Mazda 3 MPS
Second-gen hot hatch tames the torque, but still walks the walk.

LAUNCHED: Lexus IS 250 Convertible
Heavy metal strikes a serene chord.

Heir Triggers – Audi S4 vs BMW 335i
Can’t stretch to an M3 or RS4? Open both barrels on either Audi’s new supercharged S4 or BMW’s twin-turbo 335i and you’re unlikely to feel under-gunned.

Audi A5 2.0T quattro
By finding yet another application for its latest-generation 2.0-litre TFSI four, Audi has created a cracker
