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When you choose a sporty hardtop two-door coupe over a traditional sedan, you're making a statement that revolves around style. Sporting a coupe means you value looks over practicality since you're trading in five seats for just two seats (driver and front passenger) or four (in a 2+2 setup).
Many coupes also come with additional features to complete the sports car luxury. Read on to learn how a coupe might be that extra spark you feel missing. Plus, learn more about the wealth of eye-catching, high-performance coupes from the top Japanese automobile manufacturers.
Why Buy a Coupe?
Coupes have a sporty style with a typically lower roofline and two large doors, which is not to say that coupes are all about style with no substance. Better handling is also a feature of coupes thanks to their lower center of gravity, and the field of vision is greater for the driver because of the lack of need for the B-pillar (the middle roof support found between the front and back sections of the cabin).
Finally, most automobile manufacturers will offer specific options only in the coupe versions, not the sedan versions of certain models, such as manual transmission or sports suspension. If your next vehicle has to be a performance machine that looks the part, you'll want to make it a coupe.
What to Consider When Buying a Coupe
Seating
Having more than two in your household doesn't necessarily preclude you from using a coupe as your family's transporter, but you should temper your expectations. Remember that driving a coupe will always be more of a squeeze than the equivalent of a different body style. Despite certain coupes having a second row, these seats might only be comfortable enough for children or smaller adults.
Cargo / Trunk Capacity
As with seating the area, cargo capacity is not the priority when designing coupes. So, consider looking at other options if you foresee transporting bulkier objects or many items at once. Nevertheless, a coupe will have enough cargo room if your weekly groceries are the largest of your transport loads.
Engine and Fuel Efficiency
Four-cylinder engines used to be the industry standard for coupes. But, with the growing demand for even more power, manufacturers have begun to offer six and even eight-cylinder engines in their coupes.
Compared to larger vehicles with the same engine, the more compact and aerodynamic coupes boast better miles per gallon. For even greater fuel efficiency, hybrid powertrains are now options in addition to the standard gas and diesel models.
Safety Features
Most coupes have a standard array of safety features like ABS, EBD, and airbags. Depending on the manufacturer and model, more advanced safety devices like blind spot warning, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist might also be available.
Best Japanese Coupes
Toyota
Toyota's 86, jointly developed with Subaru, is a 2+2 fastback coupe that draws inspiration from the iconic AE86. Its lightweight design features an aluminum hood, a fixed roof, and a trunk. This is coupled with a low center of mass height thanks to the low position of the boxer engine. The first-generation 86 gets a 2.0 L flat-four engine, while the second generation receives a 2.4 L FA24D flat-four.
The Celica from Toyota is a household name among automobile aficionados. The basic formula behind this specialty sports coupe has remained unchanged since its introduction in the early 70s. That is a comfortable and easy-to-use high-performance machine.
The Celica gets inline four-cylinder engines ranging from 1.4L to 2.0L (region dependent) alongside optional features such as alloy wheels, a sunroof, and a rear spoiler.
Nissan
If you're purchasing a sports coupe, why not make it a tried and true model? The Nissan Fairlady Z also comes as an open-top roadster in its fifth-generation model and has been the world's best-selling sports car since its debut in 1969. The Fairlady Z has powerful engines like a 3.0L and 3.5L V6 six-cylinder.
Nissan's other coupe, the Skyline, is another best-selling option. The sporty compact Skyline has a class-leading 500L of possible trunk room thanks to its rear folding seats. The top-of-the-line GT-R is usually the Skyline of choice due to its raw power and supercar status.
Honda
There's no going wrong with making the Honda Integra your daily commuter. Since its first production run from 1985 to 2006, the Integra has been hailed for excellent handling and performance. Engine options range from 1.6L to 2.0L depending on the generation and model year.
Short-lived but long-remembered, Honda's CR-X is a highly sought-after three-door sports compact coupe produced from 1983 to 1991. Today, it is popular in motorsports like drag, autocross, and road races. The CR-X comes in an aerodynamic, low, and wide body with a 1.3, 1.5, or 1.6L inline four-cylinder under the hood.
Following in the footsteps of the CR-X is the Honda CR-Z, which is regarded as the spiritual successor to the CR-X in design. The CR-Z, however, attempts to carve a niche of its own as a compact hybrid electric sports vehicle that allows drivers to experience the thrill of a sportscar without sacrificing fuel economy.
Mazda
The Mazda RX-7 is the world's first and only pure sports coupe that uses a light and compact Wankel rotary engine. In its 24 years of production, the Mazda RX-7 has undergone three generations and has made Car and Driver magazine's "Ten Best" list five times.
The third and final generation of the RX-7 (1992 to 2002) incorporates a 1.3L sequential twin-turbocharged 13B-REW engine capable of 252 hp in its first release, with an increase to 276 hp in later years.
Performance doesn't come at the price of comfort in the RX-8. Mazda's successor to the RX-7 has enough room for four to five adults. At the same time, its unique clamshell doors feature a large opening, so entry and exit aren't a problem. The RX-8 gets a 1.3L engine capable of upwards of 250 hp.
Subaru
Subaru's BRZ is the same exciting, high-performance car as the Toyota 86. It features an aluminum hood, a fixed roof, and a trunk for a lightweight design. It also has a low center of mass height due to the low position of the boxer engine.
Lexus
Lexus's RC "radical coupe" is a luxury sports car that challenges conventions. The RC's sharp design is befitting of the latest technologies it gets, such as Lexus's safety suite in its RC F trim. Gas engines range from 2.0L to a 5.0L V8 eight-cylinder, with a hybrid model also available.
Where to Get the Best Deals on Coupes from Japan
You can find used Japanese coupes at various automobile exporters based in Japan. But, with BE FORWARD, you can be sure you'll get a great deal on a well-maintained Japanese coupe. Browse what's available now!
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