I understand what your saying, but perhaps if you compared a properly prepared MK2 Escort
to a properly prepared Subaru Impreza then the the list of mods would be similar.
Am sure after a shot in a race spec subaru you would be saying it was the best car you has ever driven.
As you say "it could just be that it does what it does so easily, and I suppose that?s a compliment to modern engineering" is quite true
and thats why i didnt buy another family car and hate driving Lyndseys brick (fait stilo).