[dd74]

I don't own, but it's a car I would consider. I've heard nothing but very high praise for the new GTi, especially with the DSG transmission. For my needs in a performance car, only one other car I've seen takes the GTi to the toolshed, which is the Civic Si, but the Civic Si takes even the Mini Cooper S JW to the toolshed. With a redline over 8K, the Civic Si is a true race car in street clothing, which is probably not what you're looking for.

On a day-to-day basis, the GTi is much better, though. It stores more, and is "fast enough," even faster with the DSG. I've sort of lost touch with the car, however. The last I heard was the U.S. won't get the five-door version of the GTi.

If you really need five doors, I'd wait until the Mazdaspeed3 comes out, which should be soon. According to the magazines, it'll be the fastest FWD car offered by anyone, even as it has five doors.