I've been a 'vortex member since 1998. Had a 91 GTI, then a Corrado VR6. I was big into VW's in college...but the culture of hot rod h20 vw's changed noticeably and dramatically with the MKIV cars/Fast n furious (pop) culture. You used to see older guys with callaway rabbits, oettinger-engined cars (especially an evil 2.1 16v oettinger scirocco that pulled on my cvr6!) etc, and sometme around 2000-2001 it turned into blowoff valves, 18" wheels etc ie would-be Honda kids coming over to the VW scene.
No thanks.
There is a big difference in the quality of the advice and information found on 'vortex now, compared to the old days. Take it a step further: go back and look at the old Watercooled VW FAQ list and Watercooled VW newsgroups. Fantastic stuff in there.
European Car magazine went ****ty around the same too. Remember the old days of that magazine? Great real world info, how-to stuff, neat project cars....