short ram: good or bad?

i have a 97 2.0 and i want to change my intake. i've heard short rams are better for daily driving as opposed to a cold air intake, but take in more heat from the engine and can even hurt the MAF? i dont even know what the MAF is, i'm new to this but i want to do it right. anybody have any suggestions? pointers?

the stock air box sucks air from a heat shield that wraps around the exhaust manifold so the intake is already taking in hot air. also a lot of people cut holes in the air box to allow more air flow that comes also from the engine compartment with no ill effect. i don't think hot air is much an issue to the mass air flow sensor because i believe people use pre warmed air to increase low end. i think. someone can correct me if im wrong.

I recently just bought a AEM v2 cold air intake for my 99 jetta... not only does it look amazing under the hood and sound great it gave me an easy 10 hp and reduced the hesitation when i hit the gas... i recomend it greatly.

Well the only problem is you really dont have a choice, sorry. I drive a 98 jetta and i have yet to find a cold air for MKIII jetta's. So your basically stuck with a short ram anyway, if you find one let me know.