For me the S3 is the best looking of the 4 platform sharing cars (Audi S3, Octavia VRS, Golf GTi/R and Leon Cupra), but 2 major problems with it.
1) Audi Badge = Every person thinks you're a nob
2) To steel a Clarksonism, it under steers like a cross channel ferry despite the 4WD.
3rd problem for me anyway is boot isn't big enough either.
Next best looking car (IMO) is the Octavia VRS, the Saloon has a bigger boot than Leon ST (below the load cover anyway) However I cancelled my VRS order as after driving the Cupra, 220/230bhp wassn't enough
Golf - well every Tom **** and Harry has one, and I honestly think out of the 4 choices, its the most boring of the cars, and the most hideous of the estate cars (not that you need an estate for the Octavia).
I like the golf estate....has a certain utilitarian appeal for me.
