So why did you buy a VW knowing what you know ?
Because my side of the my family have run Audi,VW, SEAT since the late 70s I have run VW or SEATs since the late 80s with little if any problems. I also own a mk1 SEAT Leon which has been in my family since new. It's now 8 years old and been faultless in that time and imho is superior in build in everyway over the gti from an engineering stand point excluding touchy feeling plastics. I also own a mk1 gti that I've owned since 1990. The other mechanics, DSTs and DMTs members in my family also think the leons the better car.
That alfa wasn't out when I got my golf, Nissan do not make anything to compete with the gti class, 380z was too compromised for a family, Honda type r does not suit my driving style. Hyundai and KIA did not make anything sporty enought. My best mate ran a PSA specialist for many years so I spend most nights helping fix French cars to put me off them for life. It sort of narrowed my choice down in 2009 to focus st, golf gti, Leon cupra, or s3.
S3 I did not like the steering and previous heldex issues scared me. Leon I did not like the potato head man looks or the blind spots. So that left st or gti.
Gti won on mpg, looks and thought of two gti,s in the garage but it was a hard choice as i love the sound a a 5 cyclinder worble over any engine sound. Maybe I made the wrong choice, I normally do..