I've not tried any particularly powerful or modern diesel cars, in fact only four: an XUDT powered 306 saloon, a Clio dCi 80 and Megane dCi 80, of which both use the same engine, as well as a C220 CDI Coupe.
The problem wasn't power, (though all of them were slow), just the way it was delivered. In everyday driving its great, just prod the pedal in whichever gear you're in and it pulls along without protest. But if you feel like some performance motoring, put your foot down and all the power comes in straight away - and then disappears within a couple of seconds.
I like letting a high revving petrol engine swing round into a 6500rpm+ redline before nailing it into the next gear, hear the valves bouncing out of their seats
Unfortunately, too many people nowadays drive diesels under the impression that they will have money coming out of their ears afterwards. Truth is, unless you're a taxi driver or otherwise live in your car theres not much financial logic to prefer one over a petrol.
Sometimes I see £50k oil burners and think what on earth went through the owners mind when they bought it - any savings will be spare change in comparison to depreciation, insurance, let alone the original purchase price of the car.
Another thing I hate is how they always chuck out a sooty cloud of smoke when flooring it before the turbo has had a chance to spool up. Driving a 1.6 Primera, unfortunately I am all too used to being left behind in that familiar cloud of black smoke, but at least my GA16DE can bounce off the limiter at 6700rpm before having to change up
