I know what you are saying, but if you didn't have the Porsche (and it's aural sporty delights), could you not imagine having a GTD and fancying a throatier exhaust?
It may be more than just an exhaust on the Golf, but I'm sure Porsche spent some time and money getting the right sound from the 996 too.
At the end of the day it's all about putting a smile on your face, I'm expecting the sound in my GTD to add some fun when I want it. If money was not an object I'd happily retire the Sports and Sound pack for a V8 Jag or Aston
No doubt that Porsche invested in making sure the 996 sounded right - but it is a sports car... the Golf is, in reality, a sporty hatchback...
For you it may be all about putting a smile on your face, for me it is about getting to where I need to go quickly and quietly when I'm in the Golf.
Now, here's a thing... You could have a good 996 with PSE or a V8 (with an exhaust upgrade) Jag for an awful lot less than a the purchase price of a Golf GTI/D and still have huge amounts of money spare to run them... the smile on your face was the biggest driver on your car purchase... you wouldn't even consider a Golf...
The smile on my face is the biggest driver for my purchase. But currently there are many things required to put a smile on this face - practicality, running costs, professional image, reliability, personal appeal, technology, comfort and... a happy Wife...
I kind of feel it's a moot point, if we could get a better sporty experience elsewhere, if I'm buying a golf for a dozen other reasons, why not enjoy some extra fun with the exhaust note? After all, I'm not looking to make a 60bhp 1 litre sound like a Ferrari. The GTD
is a sporty car as you have said, and I too will enjoy getting places quickly and quietly, but with an added exhaust rasp when I fancy it!
Edit- typo.