There’s a Ford dealer right next door to the VW. Guess who suddenly has plans for Monday lunch? 
You can hold a specific gear through a corner like you can with a manual. The computer can run up through the gears better than you, but doesn’t necessarily know which gear to be in (or stay in) during cornering.
Just thought I’d post a follow-up. Bought a silver GTI SE 6-speed 2-3 weeks ago.
Drove the Focus ST - nice car, but didn’t care for the interior look/feel, or the exterior look. And the fit did not impress me as solid as the VW. To my eye, the Focus interior was flashier, VW was classy.
Have had the GTI for a couple of weeks, and it is the nicest car I’ve ever owned. Taking some time to get used to the modern 6-speed, after the old 4-speeds I’ve driven in the past. We’ll see how it holds up. But as of now, I couldn’t be happier. A heck of a lot of car for not too terribly much $.
We’ll see if squeaks and rattles develop, but right now it is solid as a rock. Getting used to all of the electronics. BOY is this thing quick, and handles like a dream! My biggest complaint is that I have to walk further, since I park it on the side of our building where I can see it out my window!
Thanks for all the input!
Silver is a good color.
That is also a benefit since it gets you more exercise. 
Yay! 3 or 5 door? I have to say I’m a little jealous, I hope you get many happy years of motoring!
5-door (and sunroof). I don’t think they make the 3 anymore.
The silver hides dirt incredibly well - and shines up quickly. I rinsed/wiped it down in the driveway Sunday - has been too long since I had a car that I gave a damn how it looked! 
I know a lot of marks have their fans, but I’m having a hard time imagining a better car than this for well under $30k. As quick as it is, I’m having a hard time imagining getting much use out of a more powerful car for average driving. The hatch is incredibly useful for my upright bass and golf clubs. Car has a more upright seating position than most sport cars, and more practical for hauling. I’m 6’3", and I don’t have the seat all the way back. And it seems to be getting decent mileage. At 56, I like having a sporty car which isn’t too much of an obvious midlife crisis!
With the SE I got leather seats, sunroof, and upgraded stereo. The only thing I didn’t get (and didn’t want) was all the driver’s assistance.
Freely admit the manual isn’t the most practical choice for my city/suburb driving, but I wanted to get a fun car while I was young enough to enjoy it.
The coolest thing was the change in my wife’s opinion. At first she was all, “Do you REALLY want a manual?” After we picked it up she said, “This is a classy looking car. And a lot of fun. Do I get to drive it?” 
Do the VW’s still do that dorky thing where they play fake engine note through the car’s speakers? Maybe that can be disabled.
Congrats on the purchase!
Yep, they do (tho not thru the speakers), and yep it can/has been! 
So interesting to see the different needs and wants for different vehicles.
I’ve had the old VW Scirocco. Built the engine. Easy to do, fun little car. I was a kid with few needs.
I have no choice but to buy what I need. Or we need, my Wife and I. So that means AWD/4x4 ground clearance and room for stuff.
My Wife has the new Outback, and I have an older Pathfinder (06). That works.
My plow truck is a Ram short bed. Bought what I needed.
We buy what we need when choosing cars. I consider them transportation. They must be able to get me to work and home. Handle 1 foot of snow, and carry dogs, and my Wife and I comfortably.
Unfortunately, with the onset of cross-overs, these abilities are going away.
But to address the OP. If VW sold something that suited my needs, I would shy away because of the kerfuffle they had.
My son out in Denver recently bought a Mazda 6 - 4WD and enough power to handle the mountains, enough room for himself, a couple of buddies, and their hiking/skiing gear.
I’ve spent the past couple of decades hauling kids around in wagons and minivans. This time I wanted something on the sporty side of practical. Also, never drove a German car, and wanted to see what it was like.
Like you say, different folk have different needs/wants.
How often do the roads get plowed up around you?
Congrats! Keep it between the ditches and shiny side up.
Also the quickest.
Congrats! Now I might have to go buy an R after all.
They still make it, it’s just not sold in the US now.
It still is in Canada , though… :D. I might have to go for a test drive myself…