10 Rare Coupes That Are Now Seriously Affordable In 2025

In general, coupes tend to be a little pricier than sedans. Even when they are based on a four-door family car, the lack of rear doors and resultant swoopy styling adds a dash of panache to any shape. Their less practical layout tends to result in lower sales figures, but rarity is what you want when buying used.

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2012 Nissan Altima 3.5 SR Coupe V6 Manual

Engine  3.5L V6 Gas

Drivetrain  Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission  6-Speed Manual

Horsepower  270 hp

Torque  258 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

Limited supply and stylish design usually mean higher prices, but not if you find these modern classics before they start shooting up in value. Think of all the smug owners of BMW E46 M3s and '80s Porsche 911s who bought their cars when they were worth a fraction of their current values. You could join their ranks if you buy when the time is right.

To help you on your way, we found a selection of relatively low-volume coupes that not only offer a sporty driving experience but are a great value proposition, too. Predicting future values is impossible, but at these prices, they are a great alternative to an expensive, newer car that will depreciate like a stone.

Alfa Romeo GTV

Average Price: $9,265

Alfa_Romeo-GTV-2003-Exterior 1

3.2-liter 24-valve

Less than $10,000 for a car that looks this good must surely be a misprint. Well, yes and no. The 915 generation Alfa Romeo GTV possesses all the traits of a '90s Alfa. Great styling, revvy engines, fun handling, and woeful reliability. Unfortunately, these models were never offered here when new, but since they fall under the 25-year import rule, bringing one into the US is a lot easier.

Electrical issues seem to be owners' most common complaints, so ensure you thoroughly check the car out before committing. We'd opt for one of the Busso V6 models, as they sound and go like an Alfa should.

Chrysler Crossfire

Average Price: $13,638

Chrysler-Crossfire_SRT6-2005-1280-45e3e014fbad9026c305a42030bc2ec573

SRT Coupe

The Daimler/Chrysler merger was not exactly an unqualified success, but there were a few models, like the Chrysler Crossfire, that weren't half bad. The styling was strange from certain angles, but the Mercedes-sourced engines were great, especially the 3.2-liter supercharged SRT.

Prices vary greatly based on condition and specification, so to avoid disappointment, buy the best one you can find and enjoy budget performance motoring at its best.

Ford Mustang II King Cobra

Average Price: $20,604

1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra

King Cobra II

The Ford Mustang King Cobra II was not a good car. In some areas, it was downright terrible. Emissions regulations strangled its V8 engine so much that it essentially amounted to grievous vehicular harm. 139 hp from a 5.0-liter V8 would be a great joke if it weren't so tragic. Still, during this era, most rivals offered even less impressive V6 and inline-four motors in their sporty models, so the King Cobra II still managed a modicum of sportiness during a tough time in US car history.

Sales were predictably low, with just 4,318 of them finding homes, but values have been slowly rising for these once maligned models, and a decent example can now change hands for $20,000. Now, almost 50 years after it was introduced, those odd lines and crazy graphics have a nostalgic charm to them, and surely the ancient catalysts and other performance-restricting devices have been removed by now. That should account for at least another 10 hp.

Honda Prelude

Average Price: $10,000

1997 Honda Prelude Type SH Exterior 3

Type SH 2.2 Coupe

Honda showed the world that reliable performance motoring was possible with the original Acura NSX, and the Honda Prelude was a great example of the same philosophy lower down the automotive hierarchy. It was fitted with a high-revving 2.2-liter VTEC engine, which delivered strong acceleration, good fuel economy, and was affordable to maintain.

Used models aren't cheap anymore, but the increase in value tends to be accompanied by more stringent maintenance and servicing, too. For the best experience, go for one of the manual transmission models.

Hyundai Tiburon

Average Price: $6,000

Screenshot 2025-01-07 13.49.34 (1)

2.7-liter Coupe

"Tiburon" means shark in Spanish, and the first-generation Hyundai Tiburon certainly looked a little fishy. The second-gen models had far more resolved styling, and the newly introduced 2.7-liter V6 engine gave them the performance to match the stylish new lines.

With a good condition example commanding just $6,000, this is a lot of coupe for the money. The range was facelifted in 2005, but changes were minimal, so rather focus on finding the best condition example you can afford.

Kia Forte Koup

Average Price: $6,500

2010 Kia Forte Koup rear 1/4

Strange name aside, the Kia Forte Koup was a great little coupe with decent performance and styling that still looks fresh today. Good ones are eminently affordable and would make for great daily drivers for those wanting something different on a tight budget.

The 2.4-liter motor delivered acceptable performance, and a peppier 1.6-liter turbocharged option was introduced a few years into production. There was also a 2.0-liter inline-four which was notable for its good fuel economy and not much else.

Maserati Biturbo

Average Price: $14,000

1987 Maserati BiTurbo Hemmings 1

2.8-liter Coupe

For the small segment of the population who are expert mechanics and independently wealthy entrepreneurs with the patience of a saint, the Maserati Biturbo is the perfect match. On the surface, this looks to be the bargain of the century. A fabled Italian marque with the world's first production twin-turbo engine and an impressively luxurious interior, all for under $14,000, is hard to resist.

But resist, you must, as the asking price is just the first of many expenses heading your way. A whole host of updates, improvements, and mechanical changes were introduced during the long 1981-1994 production run, and they slowly addressed the mechanical and electrical gremlins that plagued these cars. Just a few thousand coupes were built, and while most are available for very reasonable sums, we would recommend paying way more than average to ensure you are getting the most cared-for examples out there.

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Nissan Altima Coupe

Average Price: $8,000

2011 Nissan Altima Coupe - rear 3/4 angle

3.5-liter Coupe

Of all the coupes here, the Nissan Altima was undoubtedly sold in the largest numbers. Sales averaged around 20,000 per year, but that still pales in comparison to the Altima sedan. The good news is that this fourth-generation Altima Coupe (2008-2013) is based on a tried-and-trusted design, and there are still a fair number available on the second-hand market. If you are happy to settle for a 2.5-liter automatic, that is.

The rarity creeps in when you look for the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 models equipped with a manual transmission. These are extremely difficult to find, but they offer the best performance and driver engagement.

Subaru SVX

Average Price: $8,670

1992 Subaru SVX Side Driving

SVX 3.3

Every so often, an auto manufacturer builds something so out of character that it makes you wonder how it got past the approval board. The SVX was that car for Subaru. Not only did it look like no other Subaru before it, but it also had a 3.3-liter flat-six motor and could be had with four-wheel-drive. That last fact was about all it had in common with the rest of the Subaru lineup back in 1991.

All SVX models were automatics, and a slightly hefty curb weight prevented them from being particularly fast, but they handled well and excelled at long-distance cruising. They look to be great value today, but a comprehensive service history is essential for these cars.

Volkswagen Corrado

Average Price $17,585

Volkswagen Corrado

Corrado VR6

The VW Corrado was the funky coupe cousin to the VW Golf and was offered with a similarly broad range of trims and engine options. The most desirable versions were the VR6 models, fitted with either a 2.8 or 2.9-liter V6 engine. They delivered a strong performance and a great off-beat exhaust note.

They still look great today, and their popularity is evident in the healthy prices being asked for the best condition examples. Some fans are still reimagining these old classics to this day. That kind of fan base explains why you need to spend close to $20,000 on a good one. It's still way cheaper than buying a new car, which will likely cost you more depreciation than the maintenance costs for a Corrado.

Sources: Alfa Romeo, AutoTempest.com, Chrysler, Classic.com, Ford, Honda, Kia, Maserati, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen