I would buy CPO used if you are thinking of the GTI. I got my 2006 GTI in 2007. It was CPO, 14k miles, 18" wheels, DSG, Package 1(sunroof and sirius), rubber mats, trunk liner=$26,000 exactly NEW sticker, I got it for $19,750.
You can get just as good of a deal now, 1 year old car, loaded, for many thousands off..........
And Auto Assets is smoking crack......You wont be at 260WHP with stg 2. You will have at most 240 WITH a FMIC. TQ however will be over 300.
You can find used exhausts/DP's for under 1k, a chip will be about 650, Intakes do nothing for performance, you will need a Diverter Valve=300ish, and a PCV fix=100ish, and FMIC is about 1000. So you are right with the 3k, but a little different way of getting there.
Hope this helps.
Look at the R32, can be had for about 25-27k with under 5k miles on them.