00 civic si, we arent trying to talk you into or out of buying a VW, but for a 180 hp rated car it mods VERY easily, and the power is very useful in the power band, not like a peaky hi rev N/A car. Also the price gets you German quality, and comfort that some cars dont match for $20,000.
BTW my 03 Jetta in OEM form at Reynolds weighed 2900 w/ spare tire in the car.
What this means is it is only a little heavier than a stock 99-00 civic Si, my 99 Si weighed more actually (2990lbs at reynolds) but it was loaded down. If you compare HP to other cars in its class, its close, but compare torque. Also that is on a stock car. It takes ALOT of $$ to get a honda w/ TQ to the 250 + level. I have twice most hondas and acuras WTQ. 0-60 is a run away for me generally, even on 20" wheels. I am not sayin I am faster , because I really dont care, but when taunted for a gear or two, I am more than most GSRs and Sis wanna deal with.