As P J Hall says this thread seems to have merged into a CVT/Man discussion, rather than whether the Mk3 is any good.
I note that most of those who decry the CVT have not actually driven one, so how can they form an honest opinion?
As I said previously, as with any small engine, if you want the power, then you have rev it and whether it's a CVT or Manual is largely immaterial.
So back to the original thread, the MK3 is without doubt better in many respects to the Mk2, can't comment about Mk1 as I never had one, The only exception is maybe the Atkinson cycle issue, however one gets used to that quite easily, especially when it saves money at the pumps!