Drove an Astra VXR and a Civic Type R. Liked the former but not the latter.
Wife didn't like the Focus ST as she thought it was cheap.
I was never going to buy a Skoda and I don't like the shape of the Leon.
So it was only ever going to be the Golf, a Scirocco or the VXR. Once driven, the Golf won me over instantly.
Still not sure it's worth £5k more than a VXR though!! So I don't think about the money and just enjoy the car.