A fair report there.
You now have diesel GTis on the road which will kick my MK2 16v ass. But, when you sit inside one, what do you want? Luxury or enjoyment? I don't think I could hand on heart say that a MK4 Golf would give me that little smile everytime I see another flashing back at me (like when I am in the MK2), a new car is simply to common and to boring.
I know exactly what you mean,(as I have one of those diesel GTi's!) and a lot of the time (more-so at the weekends) when I want a hack down some country lanes I get frustrated with how the thing leans in the bends and how its not tremendously exciting (even if it is pretty damn quick!! and I think to myself, "I wish I was in a Mk1 or Mk2 16v".
But then equally there's times when I'm sat in central london in traffic , or crawling home on the A1 after a 14 hour day and I can appreciate how much more comfortable and quiet and relaxing my car is, with impressive grunt in reserve if the dawdlers move out of the way! There are times when you want to waft along with the air con on, without the car making a sound or feeling every fag butt on the road.
Based on the miles I do, I need to try and strike a comprimise, to try and fullfill both of those situations adequatley. I'm hoping the Mk5 GTi, when it gets here, will offer the thrills on the back lanes, as well as the comforts of the Mk4 when they're needed.
However, the idea of a project Mk1 running a 16v lump for weekend and track use grows stronger every day, as I think that its the only method to truly satisfy all of my requirements.