Coupes under $50k

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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

2009 Audi Q5 3.2 FSI Review
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2009 Audi Q5 3.2 FSI Review

Ingolstadt’s mid-size SUV takes aim at X3.

LAUNCHED: Sporty Audi Q5 soft roader is a classy drive
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2009 Audi Q5 3.2FSI review

Audi’ s second?proper SUV following the big?Q7 launched locally in 2006 takes a bite out of the healthy luxury compact SUV market.

LAUNCHED: Hyundai i30cw
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2009 Hyundai i30cw review

Hyundai’s expanded i30 is more than just a hatch with a bigger boot…

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
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2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 review

New 5.2-litre V10 heralds a meaner, leaner – yet greener – baby Bull.

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
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2009 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera review

Handgun on his hip, the Arizona sheriff leans through the shallow driver’s window of Lamborghini’s new hardcore track weapon.

Grand re-opening - Porsche Boxster S
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2009 Porsche Boxster S review

Wholesale powertrain upgrades deliver a Boxster S that’s not just better, it’s brilliant…

Bent rules - Holden AFM Calais
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2009 Holden Calais review

Holden’s new Active Fuel Management system quashes the notion that a big V8 equals big fuel bills. Our run from Sydney to Melbourne on one tank provides the proof.

LAUNCHED: MX-5 facelift
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2009 Mazda MX-5 review

The MX-5 still represents enormous bang for buck in a tight little package.

LAUNCHED: New Mini Cabrio is open-air fun with a lively drive to boot
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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.

Volkswagen Golf 103TDI Comfortline
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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.

LAUNCHED: 2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman
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2009 Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman review

Not just a pretty facelift.

LAUNCHED: Honda Civic hatch
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2009 Honda Civic hatch review

UK-built five-door has lots to offer Oz buyers … for a price.

LAUNCHED: Kia Cerato
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2009 Kia Cerato review

Korean Corolla rival benefits from German influence

This week's Wheels - Ford Fiesta LX
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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
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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
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LAUNCHED: Lambo Murcielago LP670-4 SV

Lean beef that leaves you very full.

Positive spin - Toyota Prius
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Positive spin – Toyota Prius

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

Trued grit - Mazda 3 MPS
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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
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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
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LAUNCHED: Mini Cooper D

Outstanding efficiency in cute-as-a-button packaging.

The king and I - Porsche 911 Carrera S
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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
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LAUNCHED: Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro

Turbo four definitely not on the nose.

LAUNCHED: Volkswagen Polo
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LAUNCHED: Volkswagen Polo

New-gen small car ponies up tiny turbo tech.

Bloom times - Lotus Evora
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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?