I've been out in a mates Evo VI (360 bhp) a couple of times and to be fair it does handle nice and appears to have very little lag-hence rapid launches.......................................... .....but i've taken him out in my Cossie (500+bhp)

and he's convinced the escort is a superior car, I have spent a small fortune on engine mods and handling though
The moral is get out there and try to get as many passenger rides or drives as possible, you won't be disappointed