Completely agree on the colour argument, that's why I ordered mine in Milano Red; arrives tomorrow
I would say by definition a £30,000 + Car would tend to be bought be people at the peak of their earning potential (without having to over finance it). I just turned 29 and I think that's about the right demographic for this car.
Styling is pretty subjective (terrible cliché I know), however; when I look at the incredibly mundane looking Audi RS3 and Golf R (and even the forthcoming R400) I start to appreciate part of what this car is about. How many of us started modifying cars to escape the drudgery of our first cars when we were 17?
The Type R has more visual personality then the other cars in the class and although it has been ridiculed as "Halfords Styling" in one of the reviews I read, I actually really like how the car looks. It's a nice change from the current obsession with "incognito" performance at the moment.
As for keeping us with the competition, you will be surprised. The drivers I spoke to at Goodwood thought it was AWD (70/30 split) as it grips so well and pulls so convincingly out of the middle of the bends. This will beat any of the current class on the track in the standard road spec. We will have to see what the Ford Focus RS has to offer early next year, however; I feel much like Xbox Vs. PS3 Honda has made the right choice about getting this out early and take a share of the market. The positive thing for everyone is that Hot Hatchbacks are getting everyone talking again, which is awesome.