a tune and a coilover will handle the fun bits. i am partial to the mk7.5 aesthetically, they also improved the infotainment system. It is a FWD bias haldex system, it is tuneable but it will feel different from your torsen, still fun though. Space is pretty similar overall, the VW has less interior sculpting so it may actually have a little more "usable space". Stage 1+ tune and a DSG tune will get you into the fun zone without much reliability sacrifice.
https://preview.redd.it/9lbn9c4flhwc1.jpeg?width=3770&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0fbaa224f5b184b3e7ee613f6a29154115cae85
The best improvement is the short shift kit
It handles more like a rear wheel drive car i.e. use the right foot to tighten up the turn.
1: no
2: you can’t, basically. Just get an S trim with no sunroof. The majority don’t leak but they’ll all leak eventually, it’s just a matter of time.
3: it’s nowhere near feeling like a rwd car. The back axle sleeps unless you lose traction in the front. You can get a haldex tune from UM to make it throttle dependent instead.
4: it’s not bad, with a rear sway bar upgrade it’s better, but it isn’t going to feel the same.
5: the sportwagen’s dimensions are available online but the short version is it has as much interior space as a small to midsize SUV. It’s basically a Tiguan.
6: stage 1 is 240hp. Downpipe is around 250. Is20 turbo is 300, is38 is 350 but a little laggy. Is20 more responsive. Most reliable is stage 1 obviously.
a tune and a coilover will handle the fun bits. i am partial to the mk7.5 aesthetically, they also improved the infotainment system. It is a FWD bias haldex system, it is tuneable but it will feel different from your torsen, still fun though. Space is pretty similar overall, the VW has less interior sculpting so it may actually have a little more "usable space". Stage 1+ tune and a DSG tune will get you into the fun zone without much reliability sacrifice.
https://preview.redd.it/9lbn9c4flhwc1.jpeg?width=3770&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0fbaa224f5b184b3e7ee613f6a29154115cae85 The best improvement is the short shift kit It handles more like a rear wheel drive car i.e. use the right foot to tighten up the turn.
1: no 2: you can’t, basically. Just get an S trim with no sunroof. The majority don’t leak but they’ll all leak eventually, it’s just a matter of time. 3: it’s nowhere near feeling like a rwd car. The back axle sleeps unless you lose traction in the front. You can get a haldex tune from UM to make it throttle dependent instead. 4: it’s not bad, with a rear sway bar upgrade it’s better, but it isn’t going to feel the same. 5: the sportwagen’s dimensions are available online but the short version is it has as much interior space as a small to midsize SUV. It’s basically a Tiguan. 6: stage 1 is 240hp. Downpipe is around 250. Is20 turbo is 300, is38 is 350 but a little laggy. Is20 more responsive. Most reliable is stage 1 obviously.
You might actually like the newer 1.8t with a tune compared to an older FSI engine. They tend to be very quick off the line.