FU Money

[rudy rouhana]

Better than a stock Jetta anyway...If timed and absolute speed (straight line,
track, top end) is the measure for determining the better car then there are
two main parts (there are others, but i'm limiting the scope) to that equation,
power and weight.  It's easy to add power, very difficult to trim down weight. 
The Aston and similar cars typically come in at around 4000lbs give or take
which require something like a 400+hp engine to achieve that performance.  This
doesn't even begin to touch on the handicaps that the weight and power present
a driver on a winding track.

2002 Jetta 1.8T
Weight: Approx. 3100lbs
Stock HP: 180
Price: Approx. $22,500 Loaded

K40 Turbo Upgrade w/ gaskets, etc., Larger Intercooler, GIAC K40 Programmed
Chip, Forge DV, 3" Drop Pipe and 3" Cat-back exhaust, K&N Filter

Modified HP: 350HP at the crank shaft, minumum.

All that will cost you is about $5k installed and I guarantee the power/weight
ratio will be better than the Aston.  The top speed won't be as high given
stock gear ratios and lesser HP, but I'm positive it could take it in a quarter
mile and with a few dollars put into the suspension and brakes could hang on
the track as well.  The old Aston DB7 clocked the 1/4 in 14.7 seconds; the
Jetta with just the chip alone can match/beat that.

Granted, it won't have the looks or the exclusivity of the Aston.  However,
it's terribly embarrassing to drive a car that is fast and get smoked by
something like a Jetta.  I remember Volvo used to have an add touting that
their T5 Turbo Wagon would out accellerate some Porsche model with the catch
being that it had a bag of groceries in the back.  About the only thing worse
than that would be if you added a "baby on board" sign...

Log onto Morpheus and download 1/4 mile track and illegal street races where
Diablos and Vipers get smoked by cars like these.  They usually are accompanied
by laughter from the stands...

For true mid/high dollar performace out of the box try a Corvette or BMW M
Coupe/Roadster.  If you want the the upper limit, go for a Ferrari 360.

Just my opinion, some people buy cars for looks, safety, images, etc...I like
speed.  In particular, speed in a discrete car.

-Rudy

Here is a 12.82s / 110 MPH run by a street legal 4DR VW GTI in San Antonio.

http://www.alamoautosports.com/12-8SHRT.MPG

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