Hard to fault the GTI provided it's within the budget and you don't mind its clean, classic design.
I wish they offered more colour options (I'm having a hard time deciding on the colour) and perhaps different wheels (that's me), but I can live with what they have. Happy VW decided to keep the GTI plaid seats and as a matter of fact, cloth seats.
@ Wing:
Can you take a closer (then usual) look at the fit and finish, gaps, rattles, etc.? Maybe drive over some broken pavement at relatively high speed to expose any problems (if any) in this area? Made in Mexico vs Made in Germany an issue upon visual inspection?