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These coupes may be cheap, but they’ll be more fun down a twisting back road than any SUV or crossover could ever be.

As much as SUVs with huge power outputs are cool and extreme track day toys from the likes of Ariel and Radical have their place, there are very few things quite as enjoyable in the automotive world as a good sports coupe. Defined by their two-door designs with slanted roofs, these sports cars combine a driver-focused setup with everyday drivability in a way that other segments just can’t manage. However, buying one can often seem like a very costly endeavor.

While, yes, there are plenty of coupes out there that will cost a fortune to buy and maintain, there are also plenty of affordable options left. The Germans, the Americans, the Japanese, and the British all have models on the new and used market that are excellent driver’s cars but won’t cost much more than an average car or truck. The average price of a new car is the US recently hit the $45,000 mark, but all the coupes featured here can be bought for less than that. They shouldn’t break the bank, and they’ll be more fun down a twisting back road than any SUV or crossover could be.

10 BMW M2

It’s not the cheapest car listed here, but the BMW M2 offers some of the best value for money of any sports car, period. It’s a perfect balance of crisp handling, plenty of power, and a small enough size to really be able to throw the car about.

Buying new will be costly, but used examples that are 4 or 5 years old can be found for around $35,000. The M2 might not be the most well-known BMW M model on the market, but we’d be quite happy to blow our savings on one if we had the chance.

9 Subaru BRZ

Subaru’s ever-popular BRZ has been on sale for close to ten years now, and for 2022 it’s been given a makeover. That new car is great, but for anyone looking for a coupe on a budget, the older BRZ offers the same great experience but for a lower price.

It won’t be the fastest of cars, but the BRZ’s handling can’t be faulted, and it’s easily upgradable thanks to a thriving aftermarket. The little Subarus have also proved themselves to be very reliable, with used models frequently being sold with over 150,000 miles on the odometer.

8 Ford Mustang

America’s favorite performance car fits very neatly into the “sports coupe” category even if it’s not the first thing people think of when they hear the phrase. A 2022 car starts at just $28,400 for an EcoBoost model, but most drivers will want to spend a little extra and opt for the $37,645 GT spec.

7 Jaguar XK

A more obscure hidden gem, the Jaguar XK is a big GT coupe with a surprising amount of power under the hood. Prices start around $20k for used models, and although most of the cheapest examples on sale are convertibles, some coupes can be found for that price.

In some markets, there’s a spicier XKR variant that comes with 510 hp, although it was never offered in the US. In the UK and Europe however, the XKR offers an even better value-for-money luxury GT and turns the XK into a real performance sleeper.

6 Nissan 370Z

It might have been accused of getting stale towards the end of its life, but there’s no doubt that when the 370Z was first released ,it was a great car. It took the traditional V6, RWD layout of the 350Z and updated it with a fresh design and a more contemporary interior.

It debuted in 2009 and stayed almost unchanged until it was finally retired in 2021, so it’s not really worth buying a later model car. Instead, buying a well-cared-for early model year used example is the best value option.

5 Audi TT

The Audi TT has been on sale in various forms since the ’90s, and really, there’s never been a bad generation. Each new variant of the car has built upon the last while managing not to lose any of that original magic that buyers couldn’t get enough of.

Prices start around $50,000 for a new TT, putting it out of the reach of most buyers. So, a better option would be to buy one that’s just a few years old, as they tend to depreciate a little more rapidly than some of their rivals, which is great news for used buyers.

4 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Now, having a four-door in an article about coupes might raise some objections, but since Mercedes markets the CLA as their entry-level coupe, it gets a spot on this list. It starts around $39k for a 2022 model, and even in the base form, it’s a great car.

Its small size and driver-focused handling make this a solid option for buyers who need something daily drivable but still fun. It won’t be quite as sharp or as fast as some of the other cars here, but it’s a good compromise between a commuter and a proper sports car.

3 VW Scirocco

The VW Scirocco is one of those cars that had all the right ingredients, but it never really took off, at least not in terms of sales numbers. It has a niche fanbase around the world, but when it was axed in 2017, few people missed it.

That’s a shame as it deserves more credit than it gets. It’s a zippy coupe with hatchback styling, a sort of crossover between a VW Golf and an Audi TT. WhatCar recommends it as one of their best used coupes on the market, especially since there are always plenty of examples for sale, which helps keep prices low.

2 BMW M4 (F82)

A lot of coverage of the new BMW M4 is centered around its divisive grille, and because of that, it’s easy to forget that behind that is one of the best drivers cars on the market. The previous F82 generation of the car had no visual abnormalities, but it was still just as exhilarating to drive and won praise from owners and critics alike.

1 Porsche 718 Cayman

Finally, it’s impossible to talk about sports coupes without mentioning the Porsche 718 Cayman. The little brother to the iconic 911, the Cayman is just starting to get the recongnition it deserves as an excellent sports car in its own right.

Both new and used examples will be great fun to drive and easy to maintain, but as the car has consistently been improved over time, it’s advisable to buy the newest example your budget allows. The Cayman might not have the star power of the 911, but in terms of value for money, it’s streets ahead.

Source hotcars.com