Blowers,
Sorry to hear of your loss.
I bought a GTI last September as a retirement present for myself. I paid 25k for it, ordered it from a local VW dealer and got no discount

I did spec it up though with some toys (3 door, Diamond Black, 18" Monzas, Sat Nav, Sunroof, MFSW, Xenons and Winter Pack). The car is fabulous but, there are deals to be had out there and with hindsight I should have haggled hard and played off one dealer against the others. There are several good internet brokers who can supply you with a very reasonably priced base car to UK spec, almost immediately, and also with your required options if you are prepared to wait a while. Normal UK dealer delivery is up to 12 weeks, but often sooner, I was quoted 12 from order but got it after only 8. Another alternative, as you have already gathered is to buy a well specced UK supplied car second hand, you will make a saving on new and there will be no delivery time of course. The choice is yours. Plenty of information and opinions here, so Good Luck with the search

Cass