[s-cars] items wanted

[Steve Voit]

I'm with Taka, it sounds as if an inexpensive suspension mod might change
the nature of the car to your liking.  We have an '02 GTI 1.8t manual trans
(Mk4 car, I realize your Mk5 is totally different) with 17"/45 series wheels
and the thing rides unbelievably well.  I would be in heaven if my S rode as
well.  It is biased for cruising and is nowhere near as 'toss-able' as what
I understand the new cars to be.  The 1.8t is very satisfying, I can only
imagine how the 2.0t FSI moves the new car.


We purchased this used car because I was unwilling to let a 16 YO drive my
car to friends houses, school, etc.  Specifically, I realized how easily my
car would total out, and I wanted a sacrificial car for that purpose - but
couldn't bring myself to owning an old volvo, etc. no matter how sensible.
Thank god I did.  We live on a big hill and my son came in asking, "Dad, did
you move my car?" and I realized immediately what happened.  I showed
anxiety only after I told him (attempting to be coy) to look down the
street, and he said he had.but couldn't find it.  Holy bleep: car rolled
backwards down the street, crossed the street, took out a mailbox, glanced
off an ancient juniper bush, launched off an 18" rockery, hooked another
juniper, and pirouetted around a street sign.  It ended up a block away, 270
degrees from how it started, sitting within 2" of the street sign, but on
the downhill side, proudly on top of a 30 year old juniper bush.  Notably it
did not hit the children playing in their drive (thanks juniper), nor did it
T-bone the garage at the bottom of the hill (thanks rockery).  Aside from
missing a mirror and needing to be buffed out all looked good.  Closer
inspection revealed $3k suspension damage and need for 2 new tires & wheels.
Were this my car I'm afraid the damage would have been much worse owing to
weight/clearance on the rockery and I'm guessing it would have totaled.  

Steve Voit