So what you are saying is for a better sound and throttle response you don't care/willing to give up superior fuel conspumption, lower emissions and thus tax bracket and better residuals when you come to sell your saloon/hatch/estate.
Interesting opinion when you consider there's some diesels like the 35d and 3.0BiTDi that actually out perform their petrol equivalents in many ways and are as good as in almost all others.
Yes, sound and throttle response are much more important than emissions in my book. On top of that, you missed the MUCH higher rev limit. Also, as I find it financially stupid to change cars every few months, I don't care about residuals, as I don't plan to sell what I buy. The Clio has already been 22 years with my family (and still doing great) and I have the Volvo for 7 years now (still haven't got bored of it).
So far, the only compromise I have done, is accept Volvo's throttle response, yet I got an amazing engine with enough power for my needs, in exchange. Seriously, the B5204T5 is has a very linear (for a turbocharged engine) power curve, due to the light pressure of 0.4 bar/ 0.6 bar overboost. And taxes-wise, the Volvo ended up costing a small fortune every year (in taxes only, because it has proved to be very reliable so far) yet I knew that when I bought it
As far as the Clio is concerned, it's just perfect for me. Manual steering (yet a bit slow), manual (meaning not hydraulic assisted) clutch, manual gearbox, manual everything. It's 100% car! And oversteers like crazy
So, why buy something that burns taxi fuel, when all I want is to enjoy it?