My M8 has owned a Scooby and a Evo 7 GSR in the last 2 years, he did have up untill last week a Golf GTI TDI, this in his opinion is the best comprimise between power and economy, ive been out in it alot with him and the handling is as good if not better than some scoobys I have driven, and as you say Wilky, the low down torque is awsome.
On top of all that they are very safe solid and reliable, as he found out last week when sombody decided to slam the brakes on in front of him on a slip road about to join the motorway, he was picking up speed and doing about 55mph, he didnt have time to brake as there was no warning, so as he tryed to sweerve to avoid hiting the fiesta he cought it at a funny angle and pratically cut the car in half, he walked out without a scratch. Both cars are a wright off, but when as his insurance money comes through, he will be buying another one.