The only reason for running something like a mk3 thses days is because you love it and/or you can't afford anything better, i still think they are good value for money at the banger end of the market because you do get some level of quality and reliability even after almost 20 years which is something you can't say about similar fords/vauxhalls or anything french but there are good GTi's and Vr's out there for less than the price of a decent sofa and anyone who wants more is living in dreamland.