Hardly 'people' is it. It was only me who called you out on your silly statement. A post 2000 car isn't dated. Visually not to your taste perhaps, but far from dated as a vehicle.
Yes the MK3 is dated, as is the MK2 and MK1. Old 80s engines in body shells that rust easily. The MK4 Golf was fully galvanised, one of the earliest adopters of DBW throttles and the 5V turbo engine is still highly regarded to this day, as is the 24V V6 fitted to the 4Motion and R32.
Yep, the MK3 and MK4 GTI were terrible dynamically. The result of VW's marketing and accounting departments losing the plot. Easily fixed with stiffer suspension.