Preface, haven't driven the newer GTI:
While I'm sure the GTI would be fun to drive, a lot of cars are, I prefer to stick with the formula I like:
- Lightweight
- RWD
- 2 doors
- Manual Trans
Creature comforts and "more vehicle for the $$" isn't as important. Of course I have a budget, sure. But seats, tech, comfort, dash materials, interior colors, etc are not weighing on my decision. There could be other vehicles in the mid-$20k range that could have offered more in this sense.
On another note, I have owned a VW before. Much like you are weary of the reliability now after your incident, I find things engineered by Toyota or Subaru in general to be far more reliable than VW.
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...they-stack-up/