Why don't you go to a dealership and test drive a r32 and see what you think or how you feel, someone already mentioned here that you will end up spending more on it because of the fuel - if you want a true daily thats practical maybe stick with the gti or even get diesel with a map. *Shrugs* its personal opinion when deciding on a daily car - some people want performance, some want economy, some want small hatch for parking others want a saloon for long journeys.
Really need 500 donkeys though to get away quick style when someone spots you driving one. Soooorry to dis but a 200-300 bhp 'german barge' may not be as quick buuuut you can drive one with your head held high and not be frowned on by people thinking your an obnoxious boy racer or a drug dealer. Not to mention the 80s styling and iffy build quality
Quality over quantity.
My 50p's worth.
imho I think your a bit wrong - your forgetting Subaru are built for performance and not luxury and they are a damn good build at that - their engines are just as if not more bullet proof than ours if you consider how much bhp they can push out with little effort and the latest wrx and sti (2012) is a very nice bit of kit with refined interior and body and stylish features.
And theres nothing to say that when people see someone in a gti thats lowered, has alloys and a louder than normal exhaust they dont think "boy racer drug dealer" that's just the perception of people who are not into the car tuning scene.
Although I do agree with you with regards to the price and cost of running and owning a r32 all three things do weigh up against the gti