I can say from experience that i prefer the Mk2 to the Mk3.Ive had Mk2 8v gtis for the last 5 years or so,and a couple of months back bought a R plate Mk3 8v Gti.Within 2 weeks i was wanting another Mk2,and unfortunately couldnt find another nice mk2 to replace it with so have just bought a Corrado(which i have wanted for the last couple of years)