I think taking lessons from Stink's experience is definitely worthwhile.
I've run a Golf2 as a daily for a few years, but I don't now as I've got kids and we wanted something bigger and safer with things like ISOfix.
If you're practical and you don't have kids to drag about on a regular basis then I think they're still one of the finest motoring propositions available.
I think they improve with sensitive updating, too.
I do have reservations about nailing a 1.8T in the front of one however. A lot of what the Golf2 is about is the fantastic, balanced handling that doesn't have the modern safety aids to get in the way. If you load the front end too much you're going to substantially change the weight balance. I would be concerned about damaging the driving experience. However, there are plenty of 1.8T conversions out there, so go find a good shell and let's see what you can do.
