Originally Posted by
itix
Somehow I still believe that it gets the name across... If proton was available for Purchase in sweden and they had still been competitive (and did an actual hot hatch) I could consider buying it even though it would not be mega competitive.
I did actually consider buying a 208 GTI because LOOK AT THAT 208 R5, daaaaaaamn! (*drool*) Economy and sense made sure I bought another, newer 206 GTI instead. Citroën DS3 was also considered but their engines are too weak (and the racing look silly).
If I had taken anything from the ERC and the WRC 2 with me in those considerations, I would have come to the conclusion that 208s run 5 km and then break down, badly. I didn't however because many more factors than pure performance played in.
As a kid I had not heard about neither Skoda not Hyundai but thanks to their WRC participation I subsequently knew about them. I didn't care much for the Accident but I did drool a bit over the Skoda vRS models (after counting my weekly allowance and realising that I'd die before I'd buy a 206 GTI with that aloowance).
Now I am adult and my allowance is bigger so I bought two 206 GTI instead (because ultimately it was better looking and Grönholm is cooler than Roman Kresta!).
I think participating does matter. If I was a kid this summer and saw a Mirage blast past my parents front lawn, I'd be interested! I'd read that rally program that we got in the mailbox a million times over and the car would stick in my memory (because it isn't horribly hideous).