Are you interested in purchasing a coupe and are looking to find out more about the cheapest coupe cars? If that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic and we are going to elaborate on all you need to know.
Doing your own research before you purchase is always a good idea. Especially if you are looking for coupe cars and cheap sports cars (such as the best sports cars under 50k, or the best used sports sedan) because on the market there are a ton of different options to choose from in this segment.
Back in the day, this segment flourished and the coupe market was really large in comparison to today’s market. Nowadays everyone wants to get an SUV and other boring cars. But back in the 80s and early 90s, people actually wanted to drive something fun and also cool looking (even something simple like cars that looks sporty).
Still, there are some good offers right now in the coupe market. Even though the market is not as big as in the past. But we surely will try to help you to find the best ones in terms of price-to-performance ratio.
First, we are going to learn what are coupe cars and understand more about the concept of what is a coupe. Then we will cover the reasons to get cheap sports cars and learn more about the best coupe cars.
And then we will give you our list of the cheapest coupe cars. We will review a variety of models that are available on the market. So, if you want to learn more about our list of the cheapest couple cars, follow along.
What Are Coupes
Now before we dive into more complex topics like the cheapest coupe cars, let’s take a look at what are coupe cars in general. Not all people reading this article are car experts and we need to further elaborate on the coupe and learn more about the main styling cues when it comes to these types of cars. So, let’s discuss.
If you didn’t know, the word coupe is a word derived from the French word “couper” which means “to cut” or make something shorter than standard.
And this basically describes these cars. At first, there were coupe carriages that were driven by horses. These carriages were smaller than regular carriages. And as the world evolved and moved from horses to cars, the coupe term stayed.
And this term basically refers to any car that has two doors and a sloping roofline. What is worth noting is that these cars are driver-oriented.
In other words, they are not made for the comfort of the rear passengers and can be rather impractical if you intend to carry people around all the time, unless you opt for sports cars with back seats.
Another important aspect is that these cars are also performance oriented. Many of them have altered engines and suspensions and are tweaked to be more fun to drive than your regular sedan or a station wagon.
So, if you have that young spirit and you want to have something cool looking that is performance-driven, getting a coupe is a way to go. And what is good is that these coupes are rather cheap nowadays. But what are the cheapest coupe cars? More on that, we are going to cover it in a bit.
Why Buy The Cheapest Coupe Cars
Now let’s further elaborate on the coupe cars and learn more about the reasons why you should buy the cheapest coupe cars. I bet that there are a lot of people still in doubt about whether or not they should go for the cheapest coupe cars and we need to further elaborate this. So, let’s discuss.
The first reason why to get cheap coupe cars is the looks. Coupes simply look good. There is a sloping roof in the rear that makes the coupes look sportier. They also include aggressive front and rear ends that are performance oriented.
There are extra inlets on the bumper and often on the hood that allows more air to enter the engine and help the cooling while you do some track days.
And not to mention the interior that often implements bucket seats that simply grab and hold your body in place while you do these high-speed maneuvers. Since you don’t want your body to move around while driving on the track.
Also, they often have a shorter wheelbase that makes them handle a lot better. There is not a lot of body roll and they basically catch corners rather well.
Another reason why to get the cheapest coupe cars is the performance. Performance matters and these cars often include more powerful engines and manual transmissions.
This extra power will put a smile on your face. Since nobody wants to drive slow cars that are dull and boring.
And the last reason why to get cheap good looking cars is the cool factor. Some designs are rather timeless and like the muscle cars from the 60s and 70s, or modern classics like the BMW E36s or E46s. All, these cars simply catch people’s eye and are simply eye-catchers.
Cheapest Coupe Cars
Now let’s share our list of the cheapest coupe cars that you can get right now. We will list the cheapest cars that you can purchase right now from the showroom floor.
We will cover some of their specs and main selling points. Then we will share the price and our honest opinion on the model. So, if you want to learn more and see what are the hottest coupes right now, follow along.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #1: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro
Now let’s start with the first car on our list of cheapest coupe cars. And this is the Chevy Camaro. The Camaro is probably one of the oldest nameplates here in the US that is sold since the mid-60s.
Nowadays the Camaro is in its sixth generation which was first introduced in 2015 and Chevy is still doubting whether or not to kill the Camaro since, in recent years, sales have started to slowly decline. These are maybe the last years of the Camaro being in production. So, this is why the Camaro is also so cheap compared to other coupe cars out there.
Nevertheless, this model is based on the GM Alpha platform that is shared with some Cadillac models like the CTS, ATS, CT4, and CT5. All cars are assembled in Lansing, Michigan.
The cheapest model that you can purchase is the 1LS. The 1LS comes at only $27,500. Which in our opinion is the best price possible for this type of car.
But for this price, you only get a 2.0L inline-4 that is turbocharged. This engine produces 275hp and 295lb-ft of torque. Even if the top-end V6 engines won’t do it for you performance-wise, you could consider a twin turbo kit for a Camaro V6.
What is good is that this model comes with a manual transmission (as is the case with the Mazda CX-5 manual transmission), so driving it around can be a lot of fun. Not to mention that this model gets decent fuel economy as well. With 19 mpg in the city 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. But what about the 0 to 60 of the Camaro?
Well, the 0 to 60 is not bad after all. This small engine helps the Camaro to accelerate from a standstill in only 5.4 seconds. Which is a rather decent performance in our opinion. Now let’s move on to the next cheapest coupe cars.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #2: 2023 Ford Mustang
Next on our list of cheapest coupe cars is the Ford Mustang. So, what is the Ford Mustang? Well, when it comes to sports cars, especially cheap sports cars, it would be a shame not to include the Mustang because this model always was available for a good price.
The 2023 model is the last in this generation and as of 2024, there will be a new generation introduced to the market. If you want, you can wait for that model. But this 2024 model is estimated to cost more than $30,000. While for the current base model you only have to pay about $29,000.
And frankly, for 29k, you get decent performance and also good styling. Especially this current generation is one of the best cars ever designed. Timelessness is a good thing, given how many miles do Ford Mustangs last, typically.
So, what power do you get for $29,000? Well, the base engine is a 2.3L inline-4 turbo. This engine develops 310hp and 350lb-ft of torque. The model comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The fuel economy is also good. With 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined.
And frankly, even though this model is two grand more expensive than the Camaro, it delivers a lot more. The 0 to 60 of this model is about 5.8 seconds. Nothing too crazy. But enough to have a lot of fun.
If you want, you can go for the 5.0L Coyote engine and get the Mustang GT. But this model will set you back more than $39,000. So, the GT is not one of the cheapest coupe cars. Now let’s continue with our list.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #3: 2023 Subaru BRZ & Toyota GR86
Now let’s cover something more exotic in our list of cheapest coupe cars. And these are the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. Why do we list these two cars together?
Well, we list them together because they are genuinely the same car under the hood. The GR86 is basically a BRZ. And while you’re there, our guide on the BRZ vs Scion FR-S is a great place to start understanding the differences between them.
Subaru designed this model based on their Subaru Global Platform. And on top of that, it also uses a Subaru engine. So, you get the idea why we list these two cars together.
Nevertheless, even if the mechanical components are rather the same. The exterior is a lot different. Toyota designed its GR86 model a bit differently and the differences between the two are obvious. Although, the numbers mostly overlap between the two.
Both of them come equipped with the 2.4L H4 Boxer engine made by Subaru. This engine produces about 228hp and 184lb-ft of torque. The transmission that comes in the cheapest coupe cars is a 6-speed manual. Even though, if you want to pay more, you can get a 6-speed automatic.
This model also delivers decent fuel economy with 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. It has a fuel tank that can fit 13.2 gallons. But what about the 0 to 60 times?
Well, the 0 to 60 is rated at 5.4 seconds. Nothing too crazy but enough to put a smile on your face. So, what is the grand total of this purchase?
Well, the Toyota GR86 is cheaper and starts at $28,995. While the Subaru BRZ starts at $29,615. About $600 more expensive is the BRZ. Does this change a lot? Well, for many it does not. So, get the model that you think fits you best. Now let’s continue.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #4: 2023 Dodge Challenger
Another model that we decided to add to our list of cheapest coupe cars is the Dodge Challenger. The Challenger is a true legend that is with us since the mid-00s. And believe it or not, this model is still produced.
In fact, the 2023 model year is the last model year of this legendary model. After that, Dodge reportedly is shutting down their gas-powered lineup and focusing only on electric cars.
So, getting a Challenger is the way to go. And you can also get this model on the cheap since it is the last model year. This model only starts at $32,200. Which is a steal of a deal for a car of this size. Just make sure that you’re well aware of whether are Dodge Challengers reliable.
So, what do you get for $32,200? The engine included in this model is the 3.6L V6. This engine is producing 303 hp and 268lb-ft of torque. Which for this application is enough. The transmission used on the model is an 8-speed automatic with overdrive.
But if you want something really quick off the line you will have to get the R/T version of the Challenger. The R/T starts at $41,000 and this model comes equipped with a 5.7L V8 HEMI engine and a 6-speed manual. A lot better vehicle in our opinion than the V6 model.
Also, if you want to go a step further, you can get the Scat Pack R/T. This version comes with a 6.4L V8 HEMI engine and starts at $48,500. So, it is really up to you how much you want to spend. And if you don’t mind spending, even more, you might as well compare the Hellcat Charger vs the Hellcat Challenger.
Nevertheless, the 0 to 60 for the V6 engine is about 5.3 seconds. While the 5.7L is about 4.8 seconds and the Scat Pack is about 4.2 seconds. Now let’s continue with our list of cheapest coupe cars.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #5: 2023 BMW 2-Series
Now let’s cover something European in our list of cheapest coupe cars. And luckily for you, there is a model that is quite new and frankly, one of the best-looking cars out there. Even though for some people the looks might be controversial. But once you get used to it, it actually starts looking quite good. And this is the BMW 2-Series Coupe.
What is interesting about this model is the new approach that it takes and basically tells us where the future of car design would go. BMW is always among the first trendsetters and this trend in design is highly likely that other automakers will follow as well.
Nevertheless, the model that you are interested in is probably the 230i. Mainly because it is the cheapest model in the lineup and starts at about $38,400. So, what do you get for this amount of money?
Well, for this money, you get a 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine. This engine develops 255hp and 295lb-ft of torque. The model comes equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
If you prefer, you can go for the M240i which features a more powerful engine. A 3.0L inline-6 turbocharged engine. This model develops a whopping 382hp and 369lb-ft of torque. Which is quite a lot of power. This model also is equipped with an 8-speed automatic. But this model is 10k more expensive and starts at $48,895.
The 0 to 60 time for the 230i is 5.5 seconds. While the M240i time is quicker at 3.6 seconds. And if you want something really fast (that’s not an SUV) under 50k, this is the model that you want. Now let’s continue with our list of cheapest coupe cars.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #6: 2023 Nissan Z
Next on our list of cheapest coupe cars is the all-new Nissan Z. This is a brand new model and 2023 is the first model year for this car.
This new Z follows in the same footsteps as the older 350Z but with improved styling that makes the car look more contemporary and special. And with the two-tone yellow color with black roof, we think that it fits the Z perfectly.
Nevertheless, this model comes equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine that develops 400hp and 350lb-ft of torque. With the base model, you also get a 6-speed manual. And what do you need more than this? You get all this performance for only $41,000, which is a steal of a deal.
And the 0 to 60 times are excellent. This model is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in only 4.3 seconds. So, if you want something really fast and really new, this is the model that you want to go for. Not to mention that it also gets a good fuel economy of 20 mpg combined. Not good as the BMW but still quite decent. Now let’s continue with our list of cheapest coupe cars.
Cheapest Coupe Cars #7: 2023 Toyota GR Supra
The last on our list of cheapest coupe cars is the Toyota Supra. More specifically the new Toyota GR Supra.
This new model of the Supra was introduced for the 2020 model year and is generally based on the BMW Z4 roadster and the 2-Series. Even though, it is heavily redesigned and looks more Japanese than German. But the mechanical components are all made by BMW.
The engine that this model uses is the same 2.0L inline-4 turbo that is included in the BMW 230i that we reviewed previously. This engine develops 255hp and 295lb-ft of torque. That ought to settle the question of how much horsepower does a Supra have. The transmission is also the same, an 8-speed automatic with overdrive.
The 0 to 60 time is also quite similar. The Supra GR is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in only 4.5 seconds. If you want you can go for the proper Supra GR with a 3.0L engine and this model is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in only 3.7 seconds.
But are you wondering how much is a Supra? Well, the 2.0L version of the Supra GR starts at $44,635. While the 3.0L model Supra starts at $53,595. If you want, you can opt for a 3.0L engine with a manual for $56,745. Now let’s conclude this article on the cheapest coupe cars.
In Conclusion…
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the cheapest coupe cars. First, we learned what are coupes and a little bit about the history of the word coupe. Then we covered the reasons why you should opt for a coupe.
Once we cleared the basics out of our way, we shared the cheapest coupe cars list. On our list, there are cars from $27,000 up to $55,000. Depending on your budget from the cheapest to the most expensive “cheap” coupe cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Is A Coupe Car
In general, a coupe is a two-door car that has a short wheelbase and sloping roof. Almost all coupes are performance-oriented towards the driver. So, most of them are good driver’s cars.
Where To Buy Cheap Cars
You can check dealerships that sell used cars. They have a whole lineup of cheap cars. Another way is to go on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace and find a car that someone is trying to sell. There are hidden gems sometimes that are worth your attention.
Are Manual Cars Cheaper
Yes, usually manual cars are the base models of economy cars. These cars can be purchased for around 15 to 30k. Automatic transmission cars are usually 2 to 5k more expensive than manuals. But most cars in America come only with an automatic. So in many models, you don’t even have the option to choose unless you go for an economy car or an entry-level sports car.
What Is The Cheapest Sports Car
The cheapest sports car is the Chevy Camaro 1LS. This model starts at $27,000 and is the cheapest car around in this segment. The Mustang starts at $23,000 for the 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
How To Find Cheap Cars
Finding cheap cars is relatively easy. Just look for local dealerships that sell used cars. And some of these places sell really nice cars for a really good price. The cars might be older but they still have a lot of life in them.
What Is The Least Expensive New Car
The cheapest new car is the Chevrolet Spark LS. This model starts at $15,695. Then you have the Mitsubishi Mirage and Kia Rio LX that go for $16,980 and $17,000 respectively. But if you want a proper car with decent space, the Hyundai Elantra SE will do the trick, this model starts at $21,000.
