I've owned both a '16 GTI (DSG) and now a '19 GTI (6MT). The DSG GTI was my first ever automatic vehicle and I'm on car #9 now. It was a really good, fun transmission. I decided to go with the DSG that time around mainly because of my commute. I sat in a lot of Chicago traffic to and from work everyday for about a 45 minute drive. That car was a good compromise between fun and practicality. Within the first year or so of ownership, I had no regrets getting the DSG. Sure, it would be frustrating at times pulling up to a stop only for the car to start going again in 2nd gear. Or sometimes on the highway, it would go up to 6th gear too quickly. There's always manual mode for that, but it's just not the same.
Later on, I really started to miss having a manual transmission car. I even thought about picking up an older car with a manual as a 2nd, fun car. I really didn't want the hassle of maintaining and insuring two vehicles, though. The GTI really does do it all. After 4 years of ownership, and a move closer to work, I decided to trade in my base S model GTI for a 6MT SE. I have no regrets. This car is so easy to drive, and I've already done a lot of the shifter mods to help make it feel better. I've only ever owned Honda's before the VW's, so it's been my quest to help make the 6MT in the GTI feel as good as the Honda transmissions do. It's for sure not going to go as fast as the DSG off the line, but there really is no replacement for the joy of rowing your own gears.