Cheers guys this is all really useful....and throws up further questions of what to get out there 
Don't wanna go down the whole hsv/fpv thing, did contemplate a gt86 but it'll be expensive to tune. Choices choices
Good reason to get a MK6 golf R , same engine tried and tested in ED30 ??
yeah i'd love to but with the current exchange rate the pounds don't buy that many dollars! a decent R costs about £25k+ out there which I can't afford right now. still aim to get one but I need to save a few $$$ before I do.
think I might get a mk5 to tie me over
