I know where you're coming from mate. I was looking at all sorts of jap stuff before buying my Mk4 GTi a few weeks back.
Previous to this I had an MR2 turbo, which was quick (running 250bhp) but twitchy as hell and gave me some seriously scary mometns. When I wanted a change I looked at the GTS-T as it was in my price range at the time but as everyone else has said the interior put me off. It's just so dated now. If I had gone jap, it would have been a 200sx S14a as they're tunabel and quick as well but look a bit classier than the GTS-t.
In the end though it was the Golf I bought because it is so well put together, no nasty rattles or squeaks, lovely to drive and I think it's the best looking car of the bunch. (actually it was just the blue and red dials!!)
Standard car isn't quick but don't let that put you off, on a back road it's still a hoot to drive and can take whatever you throw at it. Check out Awesome-gti for the video clip of their 300bhp 1.8T.
