Top 8: Used Coupes - the best driving cars

A vintage sports coupe is a modern body, everything about the Jaguar F-Type excites the senses. The looks are timeless and the driving dynamics have become the thing of legend - not bad for a car which was only released in 2013. Unlike most coupes on this list, the F-Type is actually just a two-seater, but this means that there is a spacious cabin, and a sizeable boot space of 407 litres which enough for a set of golf clubs or suitcases.

Even base models of the F-Type offer excellent performance, with the 3.0 litre V6 capable of 0-60 in just 5.1 seconds. The driver-focused cabin is classy, and standard equipment includes Jaguar Land Rover's own infotainment system with an 8-inch colour touchscreen. All engines provide an excellent soundtrack, whilst the handling rivals that of stalwarts such as the Boxster and the V8 Vantage.

Even without the name it's attached to, a used Porsche 911 is a great buy. It's one convenient package - a car for everyday use which has the performance on tap when needed.  They are reliable, safe, and retain the styling of the classic coupe design which many cars have lost over years of development. When you add the long and illustrious lineage of Porsche in to the mix, it becomes a tempting option.

A 911 also gives you something a little different from the norm. Instead of a V6, Porsche make use of flat-six engines that provide a lower centre of gravity, whilst keeping the car rear-engine and rear wheel drive. Keeping a similar body shape over the years has allowed Porsche to refine their formula in to a car that drives intuitively; a responsive and agile character that makes it ideal for drives down country lanes or exploring the urban jungle. Make no mistake: this it still one of the best coupes you can buy.

The V8 Vantage is all about the driving experience. The steering is precise and agile, whilst the engine is eager, with peak torque and performance to be found high up the rev range. The 4.7 litre V8 powertrain produces 420bhp (with the V8 S producing 430bhp), and is offered in an automated manual as well as a manual gearshift option - a rarity on many modern coupe vehicles.

The V8 is a stalwart in the recent Aston Martin range, with iconic looks than went on to influence other cars in the current line-up such as the DB9. Produced from 2006 up until the present day, an approved used Aston Martin V8 Vantage leaves you with a whole range of buying options. A number of early, low mileage models on offer guarantee a fantastic driving experience, a great price and reliability.

A rear-wheel-drive sports coupe, a used 2-Series is a real old-school BMW and the new alternative to the 1-Series hatch. Smaller sibling to coupes such as the 4-Series and 6-Series, a second hand BMW 2 series offers tremendous bang for your buck, and comes with a generous list of options as standard. The base SE gets DAB Radio and Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to rear parking sensors and BMW's iDrive system with 6.5 inch screen.

In top-spec form, the M235i is a potent coupe, offering 326bhp from a turbocharged, 3.0 litre petrol engine. It manages a 0-60 time of just 4.8 seconds, meaning near supercar-beating pace. Other models in the range are just as much fun to drive, if not as blisteringly fast, combining the dynamic drive of a BMW with the rear-wheel fun of a smaller coupe.

There's a range of Mercedes Benz coupes to choose from - from the C-Class Coupe to the all-new SLS AMG. However, it's a used E-Class coupe which makes the most sense. For a start it's based on a proven executive saloon in the standard E-Class. In contrast with most coupes, this makes the Mercedes extremely comfortable to drive, and offers spacious seating for four.

Standard options are generous, with the base SE model getting DAB radio, active parking assists and a fully integrated Sat-Nav system as standard. AMG Sport models such as the E250 AMG get an uprated bodykit and large alloys, whilst all engines offer typical coupe performance, whether it's the 170bhp E200 diesel or the 333bhp E400 AMG petrol.

A used MINI Coupe may be one of the smallest and cheapest coupes on our list, but thanks to a great driving experience it's not to be overlooked. The MINI combines the agile and taut driving dynamics of a traditional MINI with a sleek and lightweight coupe body. The low slung, three-box body structure of the coupe accentuates the sporty characteristics of the MINI even further.

Engines such as the 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol, in the Cooper S, make the perfect counterpart and help it reach 60mph in just 6.4 seconds. Similar to the F-Type, this streamlined design means that the rear seats are sacrificed, though a large boot space of 280 litres and a ski hatch in the rear boot compartment makes it ideal for excursions and short breaks away.

The Audi A5 is a coupe version of the A4. Similar to the E-Class coupe, it aims to mix the premium feel of a compact executive saloon with the sporty driving dynamics of a coupe. All whilst offering comfortable seating for four and acceptable rear load space. It's a lot to ask from one car, but much as the E-Class manages to pull this off, a second hand Audi A5 does too.

The A5 places more of a focus on a sporty drive to the Mercedes' emphasis on comfort, but manages to remain classy at the same time, with leather upholstery as standard. The base 1.8 TFSI SE model provides a bang for your buck, with 50mpg and 0-60 in just 7.9 seconds, though diesels are even more economical. The 2.0 TDI manages a huge 67.3 mpg for little trade-off in pace.

Back in 2010, the Honda CR-Z was branded as the world's first hybrid sports car, combining stylish coupe looks and feel with an efficient and ground-breaking hybrid powertrain. The traditional coupe suspension set up and involving driving position makes the CR-Z great to drive, whilst smart looks rival competitors like the Scirocco and Megane. However, it's much cheaper to run, and makes a used Honda CR-Z a great buy.

The CR-Z manages 53.5 mpg and 0-60 in just 9.0 seconds, thanks to a 1.5 litre VTEC engine with 120bhp, and an electric motor providing a supportive 17bhp, totalling137bhp.With the assisted motor the car produces only 116g of c02 which means the Honda qualifies for £0 road tax in its first year and only £30 thereafter, Stop-Start engine management also comes as standard.