TBH with you, I couldn't care whether people would laugh at me. I would just point out how mechanically and physically superior my car is when compared to their equivilent Punto, Corsa and Fiesta. The Rover 214 is a brilliant motor for the money. I must say, your mate is a clever man and those people taking the ###### are very sad individuals indeed who probably drive the motors quoted above...
The Stag's powerplant is a mess though I will agree with you. I would have to do something about that when the time comes, something along the lines of the Rover V8 maybe.