I have to say I’m not a fan of that ridiculously huge center console and the wall-ramp built into it.

Am I doing this right?

Every time I see a Mini, I can’t help but think how small they are. Then I remember that a new Mini is like a Suburban compared to the original.

Fourty two thousand dollars,,, for an automatic, fwd, sub-250hp hatchback....

Wow! It’s Brett from the article. Thanks so much for picking me! Sorry I didn’t see this yesterday. It was my birthday and I was busy spending time with family and trying to enjoy myself. It’s a rare day that goes by where I don’t jump on Jalopnik. But this turned out to be a pretty awesome birthday surprise.

Found the car you’re talking about, going to buy it on my lunch break. Shouldn’t have bragged about it online.

I just got notice that I was hired. My first job out of graduate school. The car I’m eyeing is either one of those new GTIs or one of the new Golf Rs. I too realize that if they are produced with a manual it will be the last one that I own. It will probably also be the last gasoline engine that I own given how long I…

Hate to break it to you, but last week wasn’t part of 2019 so you aren’t part of the 1%. You’re just part of the 0.8% of 2020 lol.

Sold my 2013 GTI (6-speed) and bought a 6-speed ‘19 SE with Experience (DCC) on 1/31/20. Unfortunately it’s cursed with the dreaded 2019 GTI stalling issue. Hoping that can be resolved as there really isn’t anything else on the market that comes close to this car.

I got mine last year. It is still fun to drive every day and I don’t regret the decision to get a manual one bit.

Yesterday, I drive home in my new 2019 VW Autobahn GTI mt. They are disappearing from dealers fast as the 6/72k warranty will not continue for an identical 2020 car. My last GTI was a 1985 that was my favorite all time car. Second all time favorite was 04 Volvo S60 T5 manual. When Volvo quit manual, I bought a 2012…

Congrats on the car! I bought my 3rd GTI last year and it too is a manual. Also had that sinking feeling it would be the last car I buy new with a manual. Hope these mk7.5s are reliable *fingers crossed*

Congratulations. Was in the process of buying a new Genesis G70 last year, but I also ended up with a GTI. It’s an amazing car and I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I have over this past year. It’s THE perfect everyday vehicle that can do everything. My concern with the MK8 GTI is not the availability of a manual,…

When I bought my FoST in ‘16, I had the distinct feeling that it’s the last manual car I’ll be able to buy, at least if I stick to buying new.

Good choice, especially with the 6yr/72k bumper to bumper warranty!

I also bought a M/T GTI last year, and this was my thinking as well. Not just the last manual, but this may very well be the last ICE vehicle I own outside of a weekend toy.

My wife and I each bought new MT cars in ‘19. Neither is available with a manual in ‘20 (Cooper S, Sportwagen).

I bought a brand new vehicle with a manual in 2019. I increasingly shop based upon the ability to get a manual performance oriented vehicle. It’s depressing how short my list was.

I did my part last year!

I’m not really all that surprised. Manuals are more engaging to drive, but most people probably don’t care about that. An automatic is just easier for most drivers.  Most people just want to point their car in a direction and go, without thinking about it.