I agree on the loose-knit family. I used to be a Toyota guy (I still am, but I used to be, too) and that enthusiast group sticks together through thick and thin, across models and generations. All the Celica, Supra, Corolla and MR-2 guys live together in harmony.For what little my opinion's worth, I think all the Golfmk(x).com forums should be merged, because each generation of the car will introduce an exodus of folks out of the predecessor's forum. If we were a single forum, it would be a booming forum.
Though, I will say that the GTI community isn't as tight-knit as say the WRX community. Moreover, there seems to be separation between the generations on and offline. It feels like Mk7 drivers don't even acknowledge my Mk6. Whereas even my beater 09 Impreza is noticed and welcomed in the modified Subaru communities.
...Maybe it's just me...
When I pass another GTI/R, whether it be a 6 or a 7, I always look but generally the other owners don't care.