The 6 Cheapest Ways To Get A Glorious Five-Pot Car

1. Fiat Stilo Abarth

There are many reasons to not buy a Stilo Abarth. They’re not especially well built, look odd from certain angles (particularly the five-door versions), and aren’t really quick enough to deserve that Abarth badge. However, prices are now so low that these cars are oddly tempting, and for one main reason: they pack a sonorous 170bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine. We’ve recently seen some examples go for as little as £500.

2. Seat Toledo V5

What the Toledo V5 lacks in the excitement department (as a former owner, I can vouch for that), it makes up for by being dirt cheap, stuffed full of kit and having a pleasant exhaust note. The V5’s design was created by taking VW Group’s VR6 and chopping off a cylinder, and while the engine can also be found in the fourth-gen Golf, the Toledo is the one you want: its VW-badged brother is nowhere near as well equipped and has a smaller boot. Prices for the Seat start as low as £700.

3. Volvo C70

For a little more money than the Fiat and Seat, you can bag yourself some Volvo T5 action. The S60 saloon and V70 estates are potential options, but the one we’d be most tempted by is the C70. It’s blessed with a pretty coupe body, and thanks to its 2.3-litre, 240bhp five-pot engine, will crack 0-62mph in under seven seconds. Around £1000 and up will get you one.

4. Audi Coupe (80)

While we’re still hovering around the £1000 mark, how about an Audi Coupe? Sadly, prices of the hot S2 have launched well out of the ‘budget’ range, but it is still possible to pick the regular version up relatively cheaply with a 2.2 or 2.3-litre five-cylinder engine.

The 2.3-litre 20-valve with its 170bhp output - available with four-wheel drive - is the one you want, but be warned, supply is limited so you could be looking for a while. If you want more options, that engine is also available in the 80 saloon upon which the coupe is based.

5. Fiat Coupe 20-valve

Up the budget a little more, and you’ll be able to snag yourself one of these distinctive, Chris Bangle-designed Fiats. The 2.0-litre, 20-valve five-pot versions are decently quick, with 220bhp making 0-62mph possible in around six seconds. Tread carefully, though, as reliability can be iffy and servicing expensive. A full service history is a must.

6. Ford Focus ST (second-generation)

Our pick of the list is the most expensive car here, but don’t worry, the second-generation Ford Focus ST is still very affordable: prices start at around £4500. For that, you get a great looking and practical hatchback with a brilliant 2.5-litre engine borrowed from Volvo. With 221bhp, you’ll dispatch 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and get a top speed of 152mph to play with.