Hey all. I loved my GTI, but I love my MSP as well. They both feel pretty solid (suspension notwithstanding, as the VW is a bit softer, but not "too soft" imo at all), but a bit different as well. The VW drives like a German car (you usually read somewhere 'teutonic' when writers describe driving them), which is to say a bit heavier (maybe more solid?) feeling, but again not in a bad way, in comparison to the MSP. Both are pretty damn composed for the money I'd say...
Yeah, one chip and it becomes a strong car - it is by far the easiest car for the money to make faster. Period. No other car I know (within the same class - not talking $40K, or V8, etc.) makes 30 - 40+ (depending on application) hp from a damn chip! But even stock it's a very nice driving car. I don't see her modding yet, but it's all good!
As far as a comparison goes, my '00 had 150 hp stock (though I think it was purposely underated so as to not move into VR6 territory - marketing/price, etc.), but with all the bolt-ons I had, it felt pretty close to the way my MSP feels now. The difference is in top end - granted I had a newer trannie with 'longer legs' installed (my friend was a tech at the dealer and when I went in for something he found a problem and hooked me up with a new one at no cost), and as such would probably walk away from the MSP up high - of course, we still have the damn speed limiter/governor issue, so its a moot point right now anyway. (bang)
I really like both cars, and am just glad I have access to both...Now I'm just looking forward to feeling my car with the iON 3" turbo-back, hopefully soon to arrive...(2thumbs)
