I had a Mk5 Golf many moons ago and it was a hateful thing that went back to VW six times in the first six months for different faults... I'd rather take the bus 
The cost of maintenance and running costs is on my mind in all of this. On one hand having a car like the GTi is a luxury not a necessity, but the flip-side is it's (*touch-wood*) pretty solid and dependable so costs are predictable.
Understood, then I would be looking for a Toyota Yaris at the same price.
I did think about options like that, just a little, sensible, cheap to run car that isn't likely to cause me hassle. It's a step too far for me and would cost me more as I'd inevitably get frustrated with it and want to trade it in again.
Keeping the Golf feels the most likely option at the moment, at least until used prices become a bit clearer as the market picks back up. I am still trying to think of cars that aren't hugely risky, but aren't dull as dishwater either though.
