Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Sopa. Until your 25 or a millionaire your gonna have to go with something pretty boring really. The pan of youth.

That said I haven't found insurance to be any cheaper in my late twenties, I'm just wealthier.

Polo estate can't be expensive to insure.

I've got one of these, but the 1.6 100hp pre-facelift model. Soft, rolly and yards of understeer. It has a really slack ratio rack for a modern'ish car, I guess they just rumaged something random out of the parts bin for it. Plenty of 'tuning' parts can be had from any number of VAG cars, though Ibiza Cupra's are the main source (those wheels, air damn etc) for bits (springs & roll bars you will NEED, makes a vast improvement). golf mk3's are also a good source for parts, probably where I will take a rack from if I could be bothered.
Thirsty though in the cold, anything less than 18C = max 36mpg. Over 20C you can start to reap 40. Over 25C you can reap 45mpg quite easily. Don't ask me why, guess its just an ancient engine/ecu combo, and more suited to Spain where it was built.

Almost 'cool' styling though, there aren't many around and it does get some attention, often either people spewing their guts or dropping their pants in awe, like marmite.

Boot is a fair size (and more importantly square), I get two large dogs in there without problem for hours on end. Cos of its square shape you can get fresh air back to them pretty effectively too.
Insurance wise, pricey. Mine is technically an old group 6-8 but actually costs more than the other car I was going to buy, a 1984 Saab 900T16 or 1992 Saab 900T16Ruby.