Snoopy
The CS-S has just been praised by The Top Gear Team in its COTY 2016 and made it to the Final 5 alongside some serious metal including Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche - of course the Porsche Won but the CS-S has been labelled as the best Golf GTi ever and one of the best hot hatches ever made! Chris Harris giving it rave reviews ... 
Andrew
If Chris Harris actually puts his money were his mouth is and puts one in his garage collection with his collection of french hot hatches. AXGT, 205XS, 205 rallye I may take note. Don't forget he also gave good reviews to the GTI and R.
So lets see if he sells his 1M or CLK black and buys one.
Snoopy ...
I don't see why you have got such a critical turn of phrase for the CS-S ..? Surely someone as respected as Chris Harris saying positive things about a VW product is only a good thing ... The thread is about the CS-S ... I drove an R and thought it very good and may yet dislike the CS-S after being used to a GT4 but never the less its great for all GTi enthusiasts that VW have built a proper limited run car with a clear design brief & intent!
To see it received so well from the press who place it above the legendary Ford RS and have it in COTY 2016 Final 5 at £34k is truly fantastic for all those lucky enough to get their names down before launch ... and also those who cherish their VW Golf and its GTi pedigree!
Andrew
I wonder how many GTI enthusiasts are actually buying this car. To me this is more a car for the rich who want a track toy as let's face it, it's completely impractical without the back seats. How many GTI enthusiasts are going to be able to afford this car as I'm guessing they use their GTI as their daily so probably need back seats.
The CS for the enthusiast yes but not the CS-S
Not sure you are 100% on the mark there as anyone spending £34k on a hot hatch with cash (no finance and discount support on clubsport S) is going to be relatively ok for money. Your insinuation seems to be relative to practicality and affordability when I can tell you with a high degree of authority (having sold VW for 12 years) that a decent percentage of GTI buyers have both the money, and rarely use the back seats of their cars. There are plenty of GTI enthusiasts that don't need back seats or could probably live without them to have the best version of their favourite hatch.
This car lives in the same kind of marketplace as the M3, M2 AMG A class and other impractical cars, the difference is it rides in a way that makes it acceptable to drive to work, yet races like a fiend. It's not pointless, its a practical everyday car for 2 people who want to carry stuff but also have something genuinely sporty to drive. It's a classic GTI easy to drive everyday, but will turn into a monster when asked along with the soundtrack from the new exhaust and drivetrain.
It may be pointless to you if you have more than 2 people to put in a car, but don't confuse that with those that only have themselves and their significant other to put in it. For them and their budget a coupe may be a compromise too far but a clubsport S might be just what they need. Desirable, large load area, powerful, very capable and hopefully low depreciation.
Lets face it what other options have you got, GT86 and MX5 are slower and less practical. Focus RS is not available and too hardcore. Civic type R is a harder ride and the quality of interior isn't there. Mini is tiny. Clubsport is not as special. R is not as dynamic. M series BMW is more expensive and less practical. AMG merc is more expensive and smaller, also not as dynamic. Anything Audi is more expensive and slightly dull. There isn't really anything which compares.