Cheers for all the input and advice guys. I've refined my requirements somewhat
I've been doing a lot of reading and will probably go for a Manual over a DSG, mainly because I'll be using the car more on twisty roads and rarely use it in traffic. We have a Mk6 5dr Golf TDi for that sort of stuff.
I have been using the Wife's Mk6 TDi on and off since I sold my Type R and must say, I think if I bought a GTi without a MFSW i would definitely miss it. I know it can be retro-fitted, but I'd rather it be there to start with.
I am quite mechanically minded, I do all the serving and maintenance on my FireBlade myself, so know my way around the spanners. So retro-fitting things would probably be something I look at later on. But it would be nice to have some things already there as a base.
Xenons are a nice to have, I have NightBreakers in the 'Blade and they work really well, so reckon I could live without xenons.
Leather interior and sunroof I would rather not have, but wouldn't be a deal breaker.
Has to be a 3 door, think they look a lot better than 5dr. We have the TDi for people moving.
Cruise I wouldn't use, dont use it in the TDi, don't like it.
Not bothered about colour, don't think there is a colour the GTi comes in that I don't like, which is unusual for me, i'm normally quite specific on the colour of my cars! Had to be a black Type R, and my previous Clio 16vs had to be either Black or Naples Red!
So, I'll concentrate on the important things first, the service history, the condition of the car, and if the essentials have been done or not, like the cam follower etc.
Think i'm gonna like this forum. My kind of place