Hi, GW
I thought i'd decided on the DSG but was driving a manual car this morning and the clutch/geat thing is so natural for me - agghh!!! Truth is that only people who voice regrets, even if only tiny regrets, are those who went for the DSG and say they, even if only slightly, miss their manual - I've never read a post from anyone saying went for manual and wished had gone DSG.
Only other thing I need to decide - I much prefer the 3 to the 5 door and even with kids, it's not the end of the world if i have to get out to let them out - most family journeys are in my wife's Freelander - BUT the 5 door allows me to get rear side air bags (and rear seat belt alarm) - thing is, some airbag reports say they aren't designed to protect kids and, if fact, the speed of inflation of the things and the area of impact on a child's body as opposed to on an adult's body make the airbags dangerous for kids! The Golf rear side airbags are in the sides of the seats, not the sides of the doors - I guess I should contact VW and ask what they think but such is the risk of litigation, they'll probably say nothing.
This is driving me up the flippin' wall - ironically, whatever I get....3 or 5, manual or DSG....this or that...once I've got it, I wont think about it again!