As I mentioned before, the plan is to replace the Miata with a GTI sometime in 2021. I really do love the Miata, but it is loud in the highway, less safe, and with my wife refusing to drive the M3, a GTI would provide a 5-door car she would be comfortable driving for short errands involving both kids or when more cargo than the Miata offers is needed - which is pretty often.
I could hold on to the Miata as a 4th car, but what is the point of babying a cosmetically imperfect, well-driven Miata? That's what you do with a nice Boxster, which is what I hope to get a couple/few years down the road. I prefer to save the maintenance, space, and money until such time.
On to the GTI. Resale values are dumb, so we will almost certainly go new. It will be MT and will also have to be in a stealthy-ish color since I don't want to call attention in the hwy and I already have an orange M3. I'm thinking Silver, White, or Black (but worry about upkeep and stone chips showing). I'm done with gray cars for a while. (Their smurf-blue "
cornflower blue" is fun, but too crazy for us)
But the question is 2021 MK7 or 2022 MK8?
I'm leaning towards MK7 since I expect to get a decent deal in the outgoing model, I hate the idea of not having any buttons, and I don't love the grill (though all black may make it ok). The MK7 is well sorted by now and we loved our MK7 eGolf in terms of looks, ergonomics, and quality feel.
The MK8 is supposed to be an improvement, will have ~15 more hp/lb-ft, and will likely have better tech inside. It's also a 1st/2nd year car.
When do you think would be the best time to get an MK7 if we go that way?