Mk2 (MkII) GTI: Buying one. Any tips?

Hey there. I considered a heavily hopped-up 86 V-dub GTI for $3000 back in 2000, but I found a Pontiac Fiero instead and love it to death. I joined the Navy, with intentions of being in Maryland or Virginia, someplace with little snow, but close enough to home in PA where I can ski. But nooooo, now I'm stuck in Maine for 4 years, and a two seater, mid-engine, Ferrari-like sports car is not for snow. Now that I'm up here, I wish I had that GTI, but I recently found an MKII in Connecticuit for $750!!!

I used to only think about buying a VW, but ever since I saw the hopped-up MkIII Jetta in Fast and the Furious, I was hooked. For the upcoming winter, I'm going to turn the thing into a "snow beater" for now, with Brigdestone Blizzaks, a ski rack, but I'd like to make it a rally machine, cause alot of guys up here like going on hilly, dirt trails, but I'm not into the whole 4X4 thing. I love the south, and its people dearly, but I'm not into the whole country music while you're driving your pickup truck thing. I'm into the grab a cheapo 4banger and take it through a field or an unpaved backroad (Like I did with my Olds Firenza after I got the Fiero).

So what are the weak points of GTI's? Is it Handling? Power? Frame rigity? What's the strengths? I don't know. My intentions are to do the engine mods on my Fiero this winter, and then the body right when it starts to get warm (heat is better for new paint), and take care of the mods for the GTI during the summer, when I don't need to worry about snow. Basically, switch cars with seasons. Upgrade one, drive the other.

What are good mods for the GTI if I want to do like club rally type stuff? Where's a good place to get parts besides Neuspeed? Are there turbo kits for the 8V 5-speed?

Thanks!