I was seriously considering a 2015 Golf GTI. After spending a fair amount of time in various GTI forums you begin to see the big picture. Having owned everything from Triumph TR6, Jag XKE, Alfa Romeo's, etc...and a 1988 Golf GTI 16V I can will say the GTI was one of the most enjoyable cars to toss around.
GTI owners are cultish for the fun factor and modding abilities. However, when you start reading a lot in the forums the car's reliability is far from good. Sure, many folks have no complaints. Howeve,r there are a fair amount of common threads that come through. Squeaky doors, hatches, moon roofs and seats.
Issues with the info displays and radios. The list goes on. If the new GTI wasn't so plagued with gremlins, it would be at the top of my list.
IMO, Honda makes better cars. They just don't relay the same fun factor behind the wheel.