TOP 5 COUPES AND CABR|OS
BMW 2 SER|ES COUPE
THE GOOD:
The longitudinalengined two-door BMW coupe lives
THE BAD: You’ll want the 3.0-litre straight-six M240i, and that’s £48k
THE UGLY: Accidentally buying a 2-series Active Tourer
THE ONE TO BUY: On a budget? 2.0-litre models are priced from £36k. Otherwise, it’s the M240i. M2 imminent
TOYOTA GR86
THE GOOD: Finally, Toyota’s back-tobasics sports car gets the engine and style the old GT86 lacked
THE BAD: Actually getting hold of one is hard work
THE UGLY: A £30k car with a £20k interior…
THE ONE TO BUY: The manual. £29,995 new, the (pointless) automatic is £32,085. Electric Blue the best colour
MERCEDES AMG SL
THE GOOD: Latest SL is developed by AMG but it’s still a cruiser, and all the better for it
THE BAD: Luggage space is pants (ie that’s all you’ll have space for)
THE UGLY: Cabin designed by touchpad scattergun
THE ONE TO BUY: Pick the £147k, 469bhp SL55; you don’t need the £172k, 577bhp SL63
MAZDA MX 5
THE GOOD: Closest thing to a modern-day Lotus Elan; genius foldflat-in-seconds roof
THE BAD: Lashings of bodyroll; the 1.5 can’t climb hills
THE UGLY: |f you’re over 6ft tall you simply won’t fit
THE ONE TO BUY: Motorised metalroof RF doesn’t quite make sense. Go for the soft-top at £26k/£310pcm with its zingy 1.5
TOYOTA SUPRA
THE GOOD: Charisma; cult appeal; character; not an obvious choice
THE BAD: Tailhappy in winter and/ or on worn tyres
THE UGLY: |t’s expensive; no boot wall means your luggage joins you in the cabin at hairpins
THE ONE TO BUY: Needs the six-pot motor. Or its BMW Z4 twin if you want a soft-top option