My opinion. Keep driving beaters. It helps keep you humble and more open to trying other cars when the GTI wears off you.
I like the interior I have with the Mk6, but I honestly could care less if my future ride is a down grade interior wise. I'll take a car loaded with plastics if the car is a total blast to drive or has something I care about in it.
Thus my reasoning to go with a Subie or Jeep in future
The learning with no nannies nannies bit reminded me of the car I learned on..89 pontiac 6000 LE. No airbags at all, just seat belts and a nice soft dash to stop you! The middle passenger on the front bench would have folded like a pair of pants in a front collision thanks to having a lap only belt. It also had the foot e brake disc drum set up sans abs. The column shifter also made for a nice arm rest. and having benches front and back meant your whole "crew" fit in the car back in high school. Damn I wish I could find another one in half decent condition.