i just read the R&T comparo of the Honda Civic SI, Ford SVT Focus and the Nissan Sentra SE-R. okay, ho-hum, BTDT - but then i checked the prices on them and they ranged from $17k+ to almost $20k! that's pretty close to the base price for the C230!!!
i remember my first "pocket rocket" (it actually had a sticker on the windshield that said that which i quickly removed) - a 1984 Turbo Colt that cost me all of $8.2k out the door. for the kind of money they want for these new models, i might go for one of the new Minis but a Focus

? i don't think the SVT, SI or SE-R badgework are worth that much of a premium. what does everyone else think?