Skoda VRS. 2.0 tfsi engine (Golf GTI Engine) - 200BHP. My 2006 version cost me £6500. Only 45k on the clock.
The badge means nothing to me. I do remember what they were like in the 80's, but come on times have moved on. Skoda is owned by the VW group, so the build quality is 2nd to none.
Once you've driven one, the badge will not mean a thing.