I test drove a focus st, Astra Vxr and the Golf gti, all around 2007/ 2008 plate back in May.
The astra was a hooligan car but wouldnt go round corners.
The focus st was a nice car but the fuel costs scared me.
So i bought the golf gti, best car ive owned, handles great, goes well and the interior is the nicest out of them all.