Two doors often means a higher price tag, but the fact is that a coupe simply looks sexier than a boxy old four-door sedan. With an implied promise of youth and athleticism, coupes are often the favorite children of automakers and benefit from the from their status with increased performance and handling.
The smartest way to skip the premium coupes demand is to buy used. Here is list of the five best used coupes on the market today.
In recent years, Ford has committed itself to producing quality, reliable vehicles and is tops in many customer satisfaction categories. Nowhere is that philosophy more apparent than in the Mustang. The eternal pony car is now better than ever with an improved rear-wheel drive chassis that delivers crisper handling while getting more power to the road. Engine options range from the base 305-horsepower V6 all the way up to the 412-horsepower 302-cubic-inch V8 that gets a very respectable 25 mpg highway.
The Mustang combines fantastic safety ratings, excellent reliability, a highly entertaining drive, and a low purchase price to become one of the best performance cars out there today.
From 2006 onward, the coupe version of BMW's iconic 3 Series was designed to be its own car rather than a derivation of the sedan. The roofline is lower, the hood and doors are longer, and the front fascia has a sportier appearance than its four-door stablemate. The 3 is a perennial top driver's pick with sharp handling and abundant power on tap from the legendary straight-6, available as either a 2.5-liter or 3-liter. Prices are higher than most in the category, but a BMW 3 Series rewards its owners amply.
Hyundai's Genesis is light and nimble enough to be a track toy, but perfectly serviceable as a daily driver. While the turbocharged 4-cylinder is a fine engine, the available V6 pumps 306 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. With a zero-to-60 time of six seconds and a top speed of 149 mph, the Genesis is a clear competitor for the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
Build quality is excellent, and the interior of the 2+2 cabin well thought out with comfortable seats and top-notch materials.
Kia's Forte Koup is sharp-looking compact that delivers excellent value for money. In addition to the best styling in the segment, the Koup coupe has the best skidpad and braking numbers, as well. While not the fastest car in the bunch with zero-to-60 mph sprint time in the eight seconds, the Kia delivers better-than-average fuel economy of 25/34 mpg city/highway.
The interior features excellent styling and near-perfect ergonomics. There's even an iPod connector.
For those in the market for a luxurious banker's car, look no further than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The aggressive raked styling is highlighted by purposeful curves and angles, giving the E a powerful, businesslike appearance. The interior is conservative, but luxurious -- leather, wood and metal abound. Mercedes-Benz offers myriad trim levels as well, ranging from sporty to plush. Power ranges from a nimble V6 to a powerful V8.
While expensive, the E-Class offers excellent luxury, safety and reliability; at the end of the day, a great value for the money.
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