If you’re looking for a new-to-you coupe this winter, you’re shopping at the right time of year. Sportier cars like coupes are often less expensive in winter than summer, making the most of a $20,000 budget. There’s a fantastic selection of coupes at that price point, from slightly older high-performance or luxury models to newer vehicles equipped with more tech and safety features.
Here are 10 of the best used coupes you’ll find on a $20,000 budget.
1. 2014 Audi TTS
Iconic, timeless style and genuine luxury meet in the luxurious, sporty 2014 Audi TTS. While even the base model is entertaining, a $20,000 budget should afford the TTS, with quattro all-wheel drive, a 265-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, and a sport suspension. Look for models equipped with the optional magnetic ride system. You can also expand your search to include 2011-2013 models.
Related: Feed your need for speed: 10 fastest used cars you can get for under $30,000
2. 2015 BMW 4 Series
Effectively the coupe (or convertible) form of the 3 Series, the 2015 BMW
BMW,
4 Series is a great fit for our budget not just because it’s handsome, sporty, and luxurious but also because it’s available in both 300-hp, rear-wheel-drive 435i form and in 240-hp, AWD 428i xDrive guise for less than $20,000.
3. 2008 BMW M3
The only real throwback model on our list is also the most exotic. Why? Because the 2008 BMW M3 was from the only generation to offer a V8 engine, and that V8 can sing all the way up to its 8,400-rpm redline. Pair that with the available 6-speed manual transmission and RWD, and you have one of the most thrilling mass-market sports coupes of the past 25 years. These are a little hard to find, so you may not see many examples.
See: How old is too old for a used car? Here are the main things to consider when buying one.
4. 2018 Chevrolet Camaro
That’s not to say cars like the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro have no upsides. If you’re looking for a newer model, the 335-hp V6-powered 2018 Camaro LS is a good pick. However, if you can tolerate a slightly older car for greater performance, the V8-powered 2013 Camaro SS fits our budget and rides on 426 horses. The LS, on the other hand, gets smartphone integration.
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5. 2017 Dodge Challenger
Staying on the muscle car theme, the 2017 Dodge Challenger offers a similar choice as the Camaro: A $20,000 budget will get you a 2017 Challenger SXT or a 2013 SRT8 or a 2014 R/T. The SXT gets a 305-hp V6 and is available with AWD, so it’s the choice if you need winter-weather functionality, too. The 2013 SRT8 — the Core or the 392 — gets you a 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and RWD. The 2014 R/T splits the difference with a 372-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8.
6. 2016 Ford Mustang
Like the Challenger and Camaro, you can pick either a 2016 Ford
F,
Mustang V6 or a 2012 Mustang GT on our budget. Here, the difference spans two generations of the Mustang, so choosing the 2016 Mustang gets you a much newer platform and all of the associated equipment. If you’re looking for an old-school American V8, the 2012 Mustang GT is the pick with more retro-themed looks and vintage handling traits.
7. 2017 Honda Accord Coupe
If you’re an inherently practical person who still likes to have a bit of fun, the 2017 Honda
HMC,
Accord is the responsible way to let loose. As reliable, comfortable, and sensible as the 4-door model, the Accord Coupe’s sleeker, more stylish look takes it into the near-luxury realm, especially in the higher-spec trims, with leather upholstery, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, smartphone integration, and more.
Be sure to read: Here are the most important questions to ask when buying a used car from a private seller
8. 2019 Hyundai Veloster
A bit off the beaten path as far as coupes or coupe-like vehicles go, the 2019 Hyundai Veloster‘s 2.5 doors and hatch-type cargo area defy categorization. The passenger-side extra door makes it easier to access the rear seat. The 201-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder of the Turbo R-Spec and Turbo trims should be within reach of our budget.
Read: 19 ways to save money on your next car
9. 2012 Nissan 370Z
The 2012 Nissan
NSANY,
370Z, and the 370Z in general, is often overlooked in the sports coupe arena for things that are more powerful, lighter, or stand out in some other way. But for those seeking a well-rounded sports coupe that can do a bit of everything, the 370Z is a remarkably balanced option. Our budget should afford top-spec models, including the 350-hp NISMO version.
You might like: The 2024 Nissan Z is a blast from the past and a pure fun machine
10. 2017 Subaru BRZ
The only small, light, agility-focused sports coupe on this list, the 2017 Subaru BRZ — or equivalent versions of the Scion FR-S or Toyota
TM,
86 — offers many of the joys of driving a Miata, but with slightly more power, the security of a metal roof, and 2+2 seating. Look for loaded Limited models to make the most of our budget, and you can look for older models that are just as much fun to drive.
This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.
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