Lets be in perspective.

I don't really consider my GTI a performance car. But I do believe it's no slouch either. For what it can do, there's not much in it's price range that can compare. Unless of course, you take into account 2nd hand Evo6's,7's,MY03-04 sti's etc. When you consider that these are the cars that we're comparing them to, then we're well ahead in the bang for your buck stakes for a new car.

Drove the E9 to work this morning to give her a run. There's a twisty section in a 100 zone that it just soaks up and begs you to give it another gear, whereas the polo struggles at the speed limit, finds it's chassis lacking, and understeers it's little head off.

There's alot more to driving fast, especially at a track, than power to weight.

As a comparison, my Evo9, with nothing other than good tyres, brake fluid and pads, comfortably punted around Wakefield in 1.10's all day. Mild performance/suspension mods (230wkw) saw a 1.08. Considering I bought a new ADMVIII (they were 80k+), I don't consider the 60 odd thousand I paid for a Performance Pack IX to be over priced. If a GTI polo is a bargain for it's ability, then the IX is a miracle it's only double the cost.

As far as STI's go, I love them and have owned a couple, but they lack the potential and raw feel of the Evo. That all said and done, I much prefer driving the little Polo around town, and will happily leave the evo in the garage. Maybe that's a "getting older" thing.