I'm just not a fan of European cars in general. I give respect where respect is due but just as a whole European cars just cost too much over here and that is exaggerated further with the cheaper models. Over in Europe it would be a different case but here I think they appeal mostly to badge snobs and they can only compete on looks, without that there isn't much going for them. People will talk about German "over engineering" but the facts speak for themselves, a Japanese car will cost less to purchase, cost less to maintain, compare favorably in terms of performance, respond better to modification and have less niggling faults. Admittedly japanese cars now can't hold a candle to the japanese cars of the 90s but I think there are some exciting things to come soon.