I totally agree. I have an 8v (for sale if you're interested) and although I'm a little too old to race

I do play from time to time against my Nephews Pug 1.9 GTi and there's not much much in it. I love 205 Gti's but the Golf is just so much more refined. That theory sticks with me now also, I could have had any car in hot hatch (Megane F26, ST, Clio 197 Type R) but I've bought a GTI ED30 because of it's build quality + Speed!
Anyway, enough of my new car, the 8V is still a great car, not the quickest, but quick enough, comfortable and 350 miles from a tank of Fuel.