What, I own a '99 passat variant and although it weighs alot, the interior room ( head and leg up front) is better than some suv's I've been in!!!! As far as performance, I have a 1.8t and I guarantee it will smoke any 30v n/a any day of the week. A chip alone from various manufactuer's will put you @ 200/235!!!! That's not bad for a "little 1.8".
-chris