So I'm preparing to buy a new car and I have narrowed it down to these two, and only these two! I've been researching and have noticed that this is a hot issue on all the forums. My conclusion... both are great cars (with their own flaws) for different people. I love the performance aspect of the WRX and the exterior body, but the raw interior is killing me... The other huge pro is the AWD, I go to tahoe in the winter about 5-7 times a year but live in the sunny bay area. The GTI seems like the easy winner with the only con in my mind being the performance and no AWD. Everytime I think I am set on the GTI, the AWD WRX pulls me in! Help me! I'm 23 years old and this is my first new car and plan on (hope to) have it for a while. I guess I'm just asking for your two cents on the subject! help me out! I ASKED THIS QUESTION WITH SUBARU AS THE SECTION AND GOT ONLY SUBARU ANSWERS, SO I THINK IT WAS SLIGHTLY BIASED, SO THIS TIME I AM PUTTING IT IN THE VW SECTION TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE TO SAY!