If you buy a VW over a Civic, you're looking at many long years of pain and expensive repairs. Disagree with me all you want, but as a self-employed mechanic/business owner, I can tell you that VW's (especially late models) DO NOT LAST. Honda or Acura is as good as it gets (don't think you could get an Acura too easily since it sounds like you're in the UK).

 

My 99 Civic has 167k miles on it and its still running strong [8D]