What mods do you guys recommend?

I just bought a 2001 (might be '00 i havent found out yet) black-on-black GTI VR6 manaul trans. that is completely stock, low mileage (45k), excellent condition. as far as i can tell it has all the options. i love the car, and i would like make some modifications to it, based on the following guidelines:

-nothing that will make it look/sound/feel like a riced out honda civic.
-nothing that will greatly alter the look of the car, unless its larger wheels.
-no loud muffler
-nothing that will shorten the life of the engine or require a large amount of serious work on it.
-mainly looking to improve handling, horsepower, and maybe sound.

im looking to pay for modifications probably in three installments of about
700$, maybe just two installments of 700$ if im content with it after that.
the car just alerted me to go to the "emissions workshop!" so i am guessing there's something wrong with the cat. converter...so i may need to replace that and may as well upgrade.

anyways,
any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, this is my first nice car and the only experience i have tinkering is with trucks.

also, if anyone knows of a good mechanic to go to in the richmond,va area to get modifications done please let me know.
thanks,
Joe

you most likely need a new coil pack (585.00 + install)

performance, get a greddy exhaust its the best sounding!

Any universal intake or nuspeed intake is good

there arent headers stock is good enough (vw did a good job with them)

suspension, weitec makes good coilovers but are $$$ any "cup kit" will do fine just make sure you get eibach or neuspeed sway bar in front if lowering more than 1" or you are going to break an axle..

Here's a list of everything I have and my comments:
Monza pacesetter center pipe and over axle pipe
- peice of shit do not buy Monza system
Magna flow straight through muffler
- awesome sound, I love it
Magna Flow tips
- bootiful
Momo 17” rims with colour matched inserts
-tight and light, comments all the time
Kuhmo Supra Escta 215 40Z 17 tires
-never failed me...but do not drive on snow
Neuspeed P chip
- I've heard there are better, but I like it, be ready to put in high octane, which you should be using anyways
Neuspeed short ram intake
-nothing special, but works
K&N filter
-better than a stupid air box
Neuspeed front upper strut bar
-really nice, well worth it, tighter cornering
Neuspeed spark plug wires
-worht the money, looked into Nology, but screw that
4 door Golf rear stock upper strut bar
- compliments the front one, less body sway
Turn 2 race engine mounts
- sweetness, nice and tight, a little vibration but I like it
Goodridge SS brake lines
- super tight braking
Powerslot rotors
- okay, but seem to warp pretty easy (on my second set)
Red stuff brake pads
- take a while to work well, but grab those rotors like crazy when warm
Momo Evolution steering wheel
- love it, you can see the white knuckle grip marks after a couple years
Momo handbrake
-matches the steering wheel
Momo shift knob
- matches the handbrake
Momo shift boot
- might as well go all out
Momo side step aluminum
- I like Momo stuff, costs a lot,but is good quality
Bilestein struts
- lifetime warranty...can't go wrong
H&R sport springs
- nice nice for cornering, braking and accelerating
Custom gas and clutch pedals
- made them myself, all it took was a grinder and some SS
Sony flip down CD Mp3 deck
- Sony Xplode stuff sucks the big one
OBX crank, power steering + alternator SS CNC pulleys
- faster response, big weight difference between these and stock pulleys
Semi-polished intake manifold
- why not, my car was being painted, so I sanded it a little
Mazda 2006 Dark Steel paint
- grey in the day, black at night
Shaved hatch
- so smooooth
License holder molded into bumper
- looks like MkIV bumper, but on a Mk3
Fender flares
- fake widebody, adds to look of car, but since lowered, hitting big bumps can cause them to crack away from body a little
BC auto designs side skirts
- really nice, didn't need any furth prep since they were so smooth
Aftermarket radio antenna
- looks good, some douche ripped stock one off
4-2-1 chrome headers
- don't cheap out on the like I did, mine sag a little
De-catted
- meh, going to put a high flow cat on when I move and have to do air testing
Front lower bumper lip
- my latest, haven't even got it yet, but should suck it to the road a little more and make it look lower.


I hope that helps.
Future plan is to do engine overall with as much money as I can get together and add supercharger. But that's a few years away.