Well me and you both are in the same boat well sort of...
Firstly the Mk2 Driver, Havnt driven one soo I cant really comment on it.
The GTi 8v, I drove my first one last weekend (weekend just gone) and it was great performance wise I loved the feel of it and it was pretty punchy but I think it could have been better perhaps the specimen I drove wasnt as well looked after as it could have been. As for fuel economy when not hard driving it I got about 30mpg according to the On Board Computer (MFA) under hard driving it ranged from 21 to 27 mpg. But before I knew it I was on the motorway doing 100mph!

The 16v as many will tell you and as I will its faster still and more fun to drive, after driving the 8v GTi I am more inclined to go for a 16v.
I think for you its more going to be a weigh up between the GTi 8v and the Driver but in that contest I would go for the GTi, more smiles per mile I say
