Thanks for the replies you cant beat reading owners views.
I had a mark 2 GTI I bought as a demonstrator which for me has been the best drivers car. Since then I have had different Golfs and Passat , Audi A3 ? currently I went piratical with an Outlander. None of these cars could touch the mark 2 GTI for driving pleasure including the Audi A3.
It took me a bit of convincing the wife to change down to a smaller car after the outlander but she eventually came round. So after driving diesels for the past 15 years I am truly excited. The fact I live in a village surrounded by A and B roads is going to make the experience of owning a GTI truly enjoyable.
I would love to make the effort and turn up to one of these GTI meetings in the future.
Agan thaks to all the replies