Yes, I am buying a Golf. A Golf diesel at that
However, I suggest that you go and actually take a test drive in a new Golf GT-TDi 130 before making judgements about it. Diesel power has certainly come a long way in recent years, to the point now were I like the TDi 130 engine more than the 1.8T engine found in the petrol GTi.
The sheer amount of torque available is mind blowing. Just keep the revs above about 1700rpm, put your foot down, and it will throw you back in your seat. Any gear, even up an incline.
130bhp and 228lb/ft torque as standard, and 162bhp and 297lb/ft torque is only a mere chip away. All this, and still getting in excess of 50mpg
The handling in standard form is a little too soft for a GTi class car, but the optional "sport pack" (lowered stiffer suspension) sorts that out.
As for reliability compared to a Primera. Well, yes Japanese cars are generally very reliable, I don't doubt that for a second. However, German cars certainly aren't bad (although probably not quite upto Japanese standards) - if you want poor reliability then you buy a Vauxhall (Opel) or get an Italian number.
Certainly people I know with VW's have had very few problems with them, and it doesn't get cold enough where I live to really give any car problems. Probably no lower than -10 degrees in Winter, and normally no worse than -3 degrees.
Maybe I will regret selling my Primera, maybe I won't. Either way, the time has come for it to be sold and replaced with something newer, and the Golf GT-TDi is the car I've test driven and enjoyed every minute of it.
For a second opinion, ask Neil - he has driven his dads Golf GT-TDi 115 and was impressed with it.