So, now that I finally had a chance to do a full blown interior/exterior detail, and with 750 miles on the clock, I figured I'd share some photos of it all cleaned up along with some updated impressions.
While I still haven't broken it in completely or had it above 4k RPMs, it definitely scoots pretty good and feels light on its feet; it doesn't feel like a 3500 lb vehicle. My Mustang was 3600 lbs and you felt it - this one, you don't. I threw it through some twisties while giving my sister and brother in law a ride and even I was impressed at how neutral the handling felt, and just how well it handled. It does live up to it's reputation as a GTI on stilts and it shows in the curves. I have never driven any small SUV that handled as good as this, especially not at this price point. While I previously felt this was slightly overpriced at around $32k-$33k, I now don't believe so. I think this is actually a fantastic buy at this price point because of the driving dynamics. Steering is light, but not as light as some other cars and I have no real complaints with the steering. The car is also nice and quiet, no rattles or squeaks, and feels screwed together better than the other one I drove a year or so ago (maybe that's why I felt it was overpriced previously). I will reaffirm that the ride is quite harsh/punishing on bad pavement, however. But for me, that's par for the course and normal but I can definitely see where someone who isn't a car person might test drive an SEL with the 19s and run away to a Toyota. For me though, the 19s and the fender flares are what make the car. To me it's amazing how different an S or SE looks compared to an SEL, they look like totally different animals IMO. I'm starting to really warm up to the two tone 19s they are using for 2017, having previously loved and always saying I liked the all silver Savannahs they used through 2016 more. I think the two tone ones complement the black plastic lower valences around the car. On good pavement though, it's silky smooth and quiet. Driving position is spot on for me as well.
I'm also still getting used to the throttle tip-in, as this is my first turbo car, and it seems to be less willing to creep forward with a tiny amount of gas pedal input. You sort of have to be deliberate with your intentions with the gas pedal, but once you stab the gas it's pretty fun as it revs up and you surge forward. I don't hear the turbo, but I haven't really been listening for it either. Brakes are nice and linear, not grabby at all. The panoramic roof is great, as are the memory seats and rain sensing wipers. Love the adaptive headlights. The leather is better quality than what was in my Mustang. Fit and finish and panel gaps are on point all around, nice solid bank vault door thud like you'd expect from VW. This is the stuff they almost always get right. The size is perfect for us, both being short, and this has more than enough room for us and the one kid we plan to have. Cargo capacity is more than enough for us. Apple Carplay I could take it or leave it, don't use it but it adds to the wow factor to others.
Gripes? Not many. I guess if I want to really nitpick, it would be nice if there was another USB port out of sight. I use an iPod docked permanently, would be nice to have it out of sight. Other than that, as mentioned, no homelink or LED tails or LED fogs are really all I can complain about. Or I guess air conditioned seats would be nice, but that still isn't as mainstream as I'd like yet (getting there though). I actually have no complaints that there are no active safety features (these are often just intrusive/annoying), although the camera is nice for backing up along a fence at the park and ride every morning.
Ownership hasn't been without a couple small issues, however. I had a couple initial quality issues - the first day I had it the ratcheting armrest did drop down out of position a time or two, I didn't think much of it until the next day when it more or less failed 50% of the time. The armrest ended up needing to be replaced. Another issue I had was I noticed what looked to be a dirt mark on the driver's side lower B-pillar plastic trim only to realize it was a stress mark in the plastic, accompanied with a bulge. Turns out someone at the factory had a hangover that day and rammed the B-pillar trim into place, managing to fold the clip over on itself, causing the bulge. This and the armrest were replaced by the dealer last week and all is as good as new. Lastly, I did experience one quirk with the MIB-II the other day - I started the car and noticed the fader setting wasn't correct. Going into the sound settings, it looked to be in the right place, but moving the fader slider forward or back all the way made no difference, it didn't respond. A restart of the car fixed it, so who knows. Not going to worry about it.
Overall really happy with the purchase and can't think of anything else I'd rather be driving day to day right now. Glad I pulled the trigger on this one. Hard to believe it but I don't really miss the Coyote, always happy to look forward. Now on to the pics (did 5 coats product - one coat of glaze, two coats of sealant, and two coats of wax, and topped it all off with a spray sealant at the end). All trim dressed, and did everything in the interior as well. Looks like a million bucks.
. Some options I'm not sold on though, like the keyless entry feature. Seems like a potential security issue. The cabin is a lovely place to be as well. You sit fairly high, but the dash sits just below your eyeline to visibility all around is perfect. In terms of visibility, finally got around to seeing the practical benefits of LED headlights other than cool patterns. It illuminates so much more of the road it's ridiculous. These should come standard on more cars. 
