I've driven plenty of diesels, older non turbos, direct injections, turbos, and some really new hire cars for work that are always diesel or petrol-hybrids.
Diesel is fine, but is different, very different. Turbo is better obviously, but masks or even magnifies the problem I have.
Like the clio 1*2 lacks oomph til 4.5/5k and has to be revved, the diesels ALL (that I've driven) seem fine til you pull out on a roundabout, flooring it as a car approaches from your right, and nothing, nothing, nothing,.. Car approaches closer and closer, nothing,.. Bang and we're off!!! Now we're not, change gear, nothing, nothing, bang...
I couldn't live with it. I think it's down to the weight of modern cars, if they weren't so heavy it probably wouldn't be so noticeable.
I'm sure it'd be the same in a 1*2 car if it weighed as much as a house.
Until they have twin turbos in them (normal affordable cars that is) that work low down and higher up, I'm out!