Best used coupes under £15,000

There are plenty of bargains to be found if you’re in the market for a stylish coupe on a budget. Here are our picks under £15,000

Words: Chris Randall

When it comes to bagging some style on a sensible budget, there’s a wide of choice of motors out there, encompassing everything from pin-sharp sports cars to comfy and relaxed cruisers.

The half dozen we’ve chosen here can certainly offer these attributes, and while which of them gets your cash is a matter of personal need and taste, we think each deserves serious consideration. And, more importantly, we reckon all of them have the potential to be a future classic.

Audi A5

If you want your coupe to come with a premium badge then this sleek Audi is a cracking choice. We’re looking at the facelifted first-generation model – it was originally launched back in 2007 – that received tweaks to the grille and lighting amongst other revisions, and our budget will bag one from around 2016 and with a reasonable 60-100k miles on the clock.

You could have an A5 with front- or Quattro all-wheel drive but we’d stick with the former, and it’s then a matter of choosing from petrol or diesel power. The TFSI petrol units were usefully punchy with the 168bhp 1.8-litre motor claiming 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and nigh-on 50mpg economy, with the 2.0-litre a bit quicker still.

Opt for a 2.0-litre TDI oil-burner instead and there’s the promise of improved frugality to go with the muscular levels of torque. Either way, you won’t be unhappy with the way this coupe drives, and if munching motorway miles is on the cards the comfort and refinement will be a boon.

There’s also a pleasing level of space and practicality on offer, plus the appeal of rock-solid build quality and a classy cabin. Strong equipment levels, too, with S line trim getting leather and the impressive MMI infotainment system amongst the standard kit. The A5 might not get the pulse racing, but its all-round ability makes it a sound choice, and as long as there’s a solid service history there’s little to worry about in terms of reliability.

BMW M235i

BMW’s recent designs have come in for plenty of criticism when it comes to their looks, but that’s not something you need worry about with this understated coupe. Compact and neatly styled, we reckon it’s a guaranteed future classic not least because of what you’ll find under the bonnet.

The M235i is propelled by a turbocharged 3.0 inline-six that blends smoothness and power to superb effect, its 321bhp enough to shove you to 62mph in 4.8 seconds if you chose the slick-shifting and responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox. Choose the six-speed manual instead – which arguably better fits the sporting brief – and it’ll still crack the same benchmark in 5.0 seconds dead. And it’s certainly worth finding a car with the optional limited-slip differential to make the most of the power on offer.

Speaking of finding one, go shopping with £15k and you should secure a 2015/16 example with around 80k miles and a full history. For that money you’ll be getting a car with superb dynamics, with the sort of agility, balance and grip that you’ll never tire of exploiting. Want to just relax and cover miles in comfort? It can do that, too, with the cabin boasting superb build and material quality and peerless ergonomics.

There’s no escaping the fact that main dealer servicing can be a pricey affair, but there are plenty of reputable independent BMW specialists around that can look after your M2325i at a more reasonable cost. With that in mind this brilliant package is very hard to resist.

Mercedes CL (C216)

Should you be looking for the presence and opulence of an S-Class but without the formality, this big coupe could be just the thing. This C216 generation was launched at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and it’s easy to see why potential buyers were drawn to its combination of muscular engines and impressive tech. In fact, it was packed with kit from the likes of night vision to adaptive cruise control, so you’ll not want for gadgets.

Our budget will get you a CL500 from 2008-2010 which packs a 5.5-litre V8 with 388bhp, and while this is easily the biggest and heaviest of our coupe choices you won’t be short of performance; the 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in 5.4 seconds.

So it’s certainly quick – and commensurately thirsty when provoked – but that’s a just a part of the CL’s rather beguiling repertoire. What you’re also getting is a car that offers supreme levels of comfort and refinement, of the sort where covering big distances in a single sitting is something to relish.

This is by far the most spacious of this bunch, too, and while some reviews of the time complained of a cabin that wasn’t all that special given the price being asked, it’s not really something to worry about today. More important is finding an example that’s been religiously maintained, and ensuring that all of the technology is still working as it should. Repairs can be eye-wateringly expensive, so it’s advisable to buy with head and not heart.

Porsche Cayman

If a superb sports car is on your wish list then you’re going to like what’s on offer here. Essentially a coupe version of the Boxster, the Cayman’s abilities showed just why the Porsche badge is so revered by enthusiasts. From the characterful flat-six engines to pin-sharp dynamics, few other cars at any price can match it and speaking of money our £15k budget will secure a 2006/07 car with less than 90k miles on the clock.

Both 2.7 and more powerful 3.4S versions are within reach, the former providing ample entertainment thanks to its 245bhp. Upgrading to the S bought 295bhp and 0.7 seconds lopped off the 0-62mph time which stood at 5.4 seconds.

Transmissions were six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic automatic, and while the latter isn’t as slick or responsive as the PDK ‘box that arrived with (out of our price range) Gen 2 models, it’s worth trying one before you decide. But far more important is finding a good example that’s been maintained properly, so don’t part with any money until you’re happy with the condition and history.

Don’t stress too much about internet horror stories concerning engine issues such as IMS and RMS failure and bore scoring; they aren’t the huge problem that doom-mongers make out and a specialist inspection will put your mind at rest. But assuming you’ve sourced a good one, the Cayman is one of those cars that you may never want to part with.

Renaultsport Megane 265

Renault called it a coupe so we’ll leave you to argue over whether it’s more of a hatchback. Either way, let’s not quibble as our £15k budget will get a brilliant motor that blends ample performance with agile handling that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It’s easy to see why these cars were so popular on track days, so it’s worth ensuring that such antics haven’t taken their toll on the example you’re considering.

That caveat aside what do get for your money? Firstly, a rev-happy turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that makes 261bhp, drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and cracks the 0-62mph sprint in 6.0 seconds. It’ll go on to 158mph, too.

Secondly, addictively sharp handling that’s enhanced by the ‘Cup’ pack that added firmer suspension and a torque-biasing differential. It was a £1350 option when these cars were new which was back in 2014; that’s when the original launched in 2010 was revised, and the ones that we’re looking at here which will likely have 40-50k miles on the clock and that desirable Cup chassis.

They came with plenty of standard kit, too, and while the R-link infotainment system feels dated now the ability to look at telemetry data was an amusing diversion.

Overall, reliability was sound and while they stand up well to enthusiastic use you’ll want to ensure the service history is impeccable. Buy carefully and you’ll have a thoroughly entertaining coupe that certainly deserves future classic status.

Volkswagen Arteon

For this money you’re looking at very much the entry point for this stylish four-door, and you can expect 100k+ miles while a few Cat S cars lurk here, too. But it’s worth the search or perhaps stretching the budget a little as there’s a lot to like, from the sleek looks to the strong all-round ability.

Offered with a choice of TSI petrol or TDI diesel engines, it’s the latter you’re most likely to find with the 148bhp unit offering a decent blend of performance and economy. There’s manual or DSG automatic gearboxes, and while the auto suits this car’s relaxed, mile-munching nature you’ll want to be sure that gear shifts are slick and jerk-free. A solid service history will give peace of mind, too. There’s little else to worry about though, which means you can just enjoy everything on offer from the impressive refinement to a cabin that’s comfortable, spacious and packed with all the kit you need.

All models got the likes of touchscreen infotainment with DAB and navigation, leather trim, and climate and cruise control. Mid-range Elegance trim is the one you’re most likely to find and it benefitted from a few more gadgets along with a larger touchscreen.

The big VW is a practical choice, too, with ample space for passengers and a 563-litre boot. It’s not going to provide thrills from behind the wheel but if you like the way it looks you won’t be disappointed with what’s a very capable package