 for the price range, you can't touch the Jetta GLI for it's understated good looks, decent  turbocharged performance which can be amped up to the Nth degree with mature aftermarket support, and the safe usability of a 4 door sedan in a medium gray.  for the money, there is no other car with similar performance which has the looks to satisfy a craving for a german engineered, understated styling and clean logical interior layout.  All cars that match or exceed the Jetta GLI's performance are garishly styled, and all other offerings from other German makers are loaded with unnecessary bits that price to nearly double that of the Jetta.  You can get the same engine and tranny of this car in an A4 for almost twice the cost, and you know what, most people won't be able to tell you which was the more expensive car, it looks so fantastic.  Everyone that has seen the car has remarked on what a great car it is for just under $16K for 22k miles!  How did I even consider the car, let alone buy it?   I own a 2010 VW GTI that has upgraded engine, tranny, suspension and braking (to substantially above stock MK7 Golf R levels, so apprx. 310 hp to the wheels, around the same torque to the wheels, 335mm front brakes upgrade, KW Variant 2 coilovers, and stage 3 endurance clutch and flywheel + a whole lot more).  The GLI is staying stock until the Certified warranty runs out.  Then we shall see...  I had forgotten how this platform felt when it was stock - just adequate performance, but it's styled like the current A3 or a baby A4, and I happen to love the whole classic lines and severly dark interiors thing happening here.  Reliability on my 6 year old MK6 GTI has been outstaning.  If not on par with the best from the land of the rising sun, then at least nothing of the nightmare that VWs are made out to be.  So yeah.   Happy with purchase, and would buy again.  I sort of think I benefitted from the whole Turbo Diesel emissions scandal that's rocking VWs boat right now. and honestly the prospect that would influence dealers to let the cars go at any price is what made me buy the car.  It's true, I shopped Civic SIs against the GLI and the Hondas were consistently $3-4K more and the dealers playing much more hardball.