Actually that is interesting, I was also thinking about stuff like that. I drive a 3 door hatch right now, its small car, not that fast, relatively light on its feet(by US standard, probably obese by EU standard). The car is nimble, tossable, I can charge at a green light right turn, or drive spiritly on the rare nice piece of road I see with little worry or consequence(relatively speaking). I go to autoX on weekends and still trundle around town normally and get decent(not great) gas mileage. I look at cars like 370Z, or Corvette, or Camaro or something, all of which are probably faster and more grip, and RWD and so on. But I can't see myself doing the same thing I do now with a hatchback. I can see I can get that satisfaction of stumping on the gas and push back in my seat, but I can't see me enjoying that nimbleness that I feel with the car now. I drive my dad's G35 sometimes even now, and no contest that is just plainly a faster car, but it doesn't shrink to you or make you feel in totally in control. And I just won't push it as much as I'd with my GTI. And the G even has sticker summer tire....
Now in my current life situation, being no kids, single, renting an apartment and have a steady income. I have no incentive of getting a bigger car, even if it means a faster ride. What I have now works well for me. I guess as my priority changes that might change, it'll move me to a bigger car, and if I can afford it a bigger performance car. And when your life situation moves to a point where you can have a "toy", then those fancy sportscar will come in play....
On that note, a 2nd car to have for me if I can afford it that I can see being a hoot to own and fully exploit, maybe something like a S2000. In my situation if I have more dough to spend, a RS3 or 1M might be fun....or cheaper, the rally style car like STI or EVO, as I am still very much intrigued by them....