I actually think the Astra is one of the better mid priced hatchbacks when you compare it to an average Megane, Fuckus, Peugeot 308 etc... My wife often has an SRi Diesel with a Sport button as a work pool car and it goes like stink. If life got tougher I'd consider one, and the VXR is bound to be pretty good fun. The Corsa VXR goes like stink, and the THorney Motorsport VXR-R is a flyer.