My uncle - biggest car fan I've personally known, anyway - owned a MKI when he was in college way back when. He's owned plenty of others over the years, including the thirsty GTO and a 70's era Ferrari 308 with the stainless steel gated shifter. He still talks about that original GTI and the original plaid seats.
Needless to say, he was happy to hear that was my first new-car purchase. Loved the throwback plaid seats, too. Props to whoever still drives that beast.