Coupe Buying Guide
Everything to know about buying a coupe.
What are Coupes?
Coupes are typically defined by their two-door layout and fixed, sloped roof. While there are some large and very large coupes, they are usually more compact and have sporty driving dynamics. They often only seat two or four passengers. Some automakers have recently begun to refer to a four-door vehicle with a fastback design as a "coupe" or say that it has coupe-like styling.
Benefits of Owning a Used Coupe
Coupes typically have compact proportions and sleek lines, which help to set them apart from their often-bland sedan counterparts. These models also often have larger wheels, rear spoilers, and other design elements that make them look more eye-catching and sporty.
Sporty fastback roofline
Compact size of some coupes makes them easier to park
Snazzier color options are often available
Driver-focused experience
Nicely suited to smaller households
Because coupes have a shorter wheelbase and weigh less than sedans or SUVs, they usually provide better performance and a more engaging driving experience. You'll also often see coupes with a manual transmission option, which speaks to enthusiasts.
Fun-to-drive dynamics
More balanced weight ratio
Driver focus provides more enjoyment
Manual transmission options
Agile and responsive handling
Though a coupe is often smaller than a sedan, taller drivers might appreciate the emphasis on a driver-focused experience. People who own coupes typically don't have rear-seat passengers, which means more space for drivers to tilt and slide their seats for max comfort.
Longer doors for easier access
Improved front legroom with more seat travel
Space to tilt and slide driver's seat for max comfort
More front headroom
B-pillar placement means better comfort
How to Choose a Used Coupe
A coupe is not right for everyone. They often lack rear-seat passenger space and cargo volume, so if you need to haul people and things regularly, this might not be the right fit. Additionally, many coupes come with rear-wheel drive, so if you live in a snowy climate, this might not be ideal. If you're shopping for a coupe, you'll likely prioritize driver enjoyment with the ability to carry the occasional passenger and a couple of suitcases.
Passenger and trunk requirements
Daily driver vs. weekend fun car
Rear-wheel drive vs. front- or all-wheel drive
Year-round climate and road conditions
Overall comfort requirement for driver and passengers
Because of their sporty nature, coupes typically cost more than their sedan counterparts. And even though they are more aerodynamic, coupes also often use more fuel because of their performance orientation. So, it's important to set a monthly budget and factor in ongoing maintenance and fuel costs in addition to your car payment.
Total cost of ownership calculation
Weekly fuel costs
Insurance premiums
Maintenance costs
Extended warranty options
Look at what really matters to you. You'll want to weigh performance specs against your overall passenger and cargo space needs, and you'll want to verify what kind of tech features are available for the model and year you're interested in. Plus, you'll want to think about what kind of an engine will sing to your soul. Are you looking for twin-turbo performance, a throaty V8, or a peppy four-cylinder with a manual transmission?
Performance and engine specs
RepairPal® reliability ratings
Premium vs. regular fuel requirements
Technology and convenience features
Cargo volume and passenger space
Compare Used Coupes
The BMW 4 Series has sporty driving dynamics and powerful engine options, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE offers a comfortable ride and standard all-wheel drive.
BMW 4 Series Advantages
Powerful and fuel-efficient engine options
Sporty handling
Roomy cargo area
Mercedes-Benz CLE Advantages
Standard all-wheel drive
Comfortable ride and handling
More rear passenger space than rivals
The Porsche 911 will offer more options and is available with both rear- and all-wheel drive, whereas the Chevrolet Corvette may get you more for your money while still providing impressive performance.
Porsche 911 Advantages
Confidence-inspiring handling
Lots of available options
Available in rear- and all-wheel drive configurations
Chevrolet Corvette Advantages
Big bang for your buck
Impressive power and acceleration
Driver-focused center stack
The Ford Mustang offers multiple powertrain options and less polarizing styling, while the BMW M4 has powerful and grippy handling with extra passenger and cargo space.
Ford Mustang Advantages
Cabin blends modern tech with retro style
Civilized ride and low noise levels
Strong powertrain options
BMW M4 Advantages
Muscular acceleration
More rear passenger and cargo space than rivals
Grippy handling
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is both sporty and comfortable, with the advantage of decent cargo space. The Audi A5 Sportback, which is similarly comfortable and sporty, has more classic styling.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Advantages
Both sporty and comfortable
Roomy cargo area
Driver-focused cockpit
Audi A5 Sportback Advantages
Understated and classy interior
Confident and comfortable handling
Strong overall performance
Both the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang have retro muscle-car style and an available manual transmission, but the Challenger offers available all-wheel drive. If you want something a bit kinder to your wallet, the Mustang has more frugal powertrain options.
Dodge Challenger Advantages
Roomy enough for four adults and their luggage
Available all-wheel drive
Comfortable ride and handling
Ford Mustang Advantages
Supportive, comfortable seats
Engaging driving experience
More frugal options than rivals
Both the Chevrolet Camaro and Subaru BRZ offer an available manual transmission, but the Camaro offers more power and a bigger trunk. Look at the BRZ for more nimble handling and easy-to-use controls.
Chevrolet Camaro Advantages
Potent acceleration from both V6 and V8 engine options
Solid handling around turns
A long list of standard equipment
Subaru BRZ Advantages
Precise handling and steering
Simple and driver-friendly control layout
Firm but comfortable ride
Compare more coupes using our comparison tool.
Try out our comparison toolCoupe Types
The compact coupe sits in the compact car segment, which slots between the subcompact and the midsize vehicles. It could be a two-seat model or have 2+2 styling, which means that if it has a back seat, it will be cramped.
Key Features
Nimble handling
Easier to fit in tight spaces
Firmer ride
Popular Models
A midsize coupe adds more interior space. While it may still have 2+2 styling, rear passengers will have more space, and the trunk will be larger. It will likely be more comfortable for longer drives.
Key Features
Balances sportiness with comfort
May seat up to five passengers
Could offer more power
Popular Models
Though the large coupe adds more executive-level interior comfort, the design remains low-slung and sleek. These cars have a nice blend of creature comforts with added rear-seat space and sporty handling.
Key Features
Adult-sized rear seat
Cargo space for luggage
Comfortable but sporty ride
Popular Models
Coupes considered "very large" are often luxurious and powerful. These coupes are comparable to full-size sedans, usually with generous rear legroom and large trunks. They usually have high-horsepower engines wth a performance focus.
Key Features
Executive-level rear legroom
Generous cargo space
Smooth, quiet power
Popular Models
Rolls-Royce Wraith, Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
Frequently asked questions
Coupes tend to be more fun to drive, but they often seat fewer passengers, offer less rear-seat legroom, and have tiny trunks compared to a sedan. Many are also rear-wheel drive, which could be a problem in snowy climates.
While coupes can have a liftback or hatchback design with a cargo area that opens through to the rear seats, a coupe isn't always a hatchback, and a hatchback isn't always a coupe. Some coupes have a regular trunk, and some hatchbacks have four doors.
Passenger cars in general, and coupes specifically, are losing popularity in favor of trucks and SUVs. Though we are still seeing new coupes like the Honda Prelude being introduced, the segment isn't dead yet.
Typically, we define a coupe as a vehicle that has two doors with a sloped roof line and fixed roof. However, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) says a coupe is a fixed-roof vehicle with less than 33 cubic feet of space in the rear seats, regardless of doors. So, some automakers designate coupe status to sportier four-door vehicles with coupe-like styling.
Yes, coupes are usually more expensive than sedans. Take the 10th-generation Honda Civic, which has both sedan and coupe body styles, as an example. Prices for a used sedan top out at $25,000, whereas the used coupe tops out at $28,000. Original sticker prices were also higher, and this is typically due to the fact that the coupe is not only sportier but also produced in lower volume.
Yes, coupes typically hold their value better than sedans. This is likely due to their performance orientation, lower volume of production, and niche appeal.
Popular Used Coupes
Several used coupes stand out as excellent choices for a wide range of drivers with a wide range of budgets. Popular makes and models include the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Honda Civic Coupe, and Chevrolet Corvette. These models span different sizes and range from high performance to practical. This means you have lots of choice, no matter whether you're looking for a weekend fun car or simply need a daily driver with practical interior space.
We've compiled a list of most popular used coupes with CarMax customers. Learn more about how our lists work.
1. Dodge Challenger
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Powerful V8 options
Spacious interior
Comfortable ride
Cons
Large and heavy
No convertible option
Poor visibility
2. Ford Mustang
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Strong acceleration
Excellent handling
High-tech interior displays
Cons
Cramped rear seats
Small side mirrors
Hard to enter and exit in tight parking spots
3. Chevrolet Camaro
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Impressive handling
Strong acceleration
Smooth ride
Cons
Poor visibility
Tiny rear seat
Limited trunk space
Research coupes
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How we ranked these vehicles
Our "Best of" lists represent the most popular vehicles with CarMax customers. To create the Best lists, our analysts look at CarMax vehicle and sales data over a recent 6-month period and rank the top selling vehicles in order. Looking back over a 6-month period allows for the highest sample size possible while also providing up-to-date pricing information. Each list includes the specific dates used when it was generated. Some articles may include data points with lower sample sizes.
To create our "Most Reliable" lists, our analysts pull the top most reliable vehicles—in order—according to RepairPal rankings. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2020 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to provide legal, financial or investment advice. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before transacting and consider talking to a qualified professional about your unique circumstances.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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