[Otter74]

Good suggestion on the trailer, but I'm not sure it's the best option for me. My garage space is tight and I really have no place to put a trailer. Besides that, I usually want to open a liftgate and toss stuff in, or put two bikes inside without using a roof rack, etc. When I took a big camping road trip in the Accord a couple of years ago, I would have slept in the car sometimes if I'd had a wagon.

Even if the base Jetta isn't any more inspiring than the Accord, there's plenty more choice for OE upgrade parts (from the GTI, etc.) if I were ever so inclined. There's stuff like short-runner intakes for the engine to help with power, though honestly I care more about highway fuel economy for a car like this than power. I have no interest in a DSG, and didn't the 2.5 come with a Tiptronic for years anyway? I like the DSG on my friend's Mk VI GTI, but I have no interest in the maintenance costs. I'm glad to hear the cars seem to be reliable, though.