diesel, vr6 or 1.8T

i posted this thread in the GTi and TDi thread but didn't get too much info back, hopefully i'll get some more answers here.

i'm kinda new the VW industry but i'm lookin to get one soon because they put up killer mpg numbers and i've heard some can be pretty quick. i'm lookin at jettas but don't know which version to go with. i'm lookin for somethin that will get me the best gas mileage, but still be able to suprise some naysayers at the track or on the street.

i know diesel motors in trucks put out loads of power but i'm not sure how quick they run in a jetta and i know they get around 45mpg. anyone know how they're speed stats measure up with the VR6 and the 1.8T?
what kind of mpg's do the vr6's and 1.8T's get?
just by browsing this site a little, it seems that the VR6 is quicker than the 1.8T is that true?

which version has more available aftermarket parts to mod it?
any of em more cheaper than the other 2 to mod?
do manual trannys come in all 3 versions?

My VR6 is a blast!!  it's pretty quick, and after the mods I've done I still get about (just guessing) around 18MPG city, and 23 on highway.  I fill up on Sunday night, I drive maybe 15min each way and maybe to the store or something and I don't fill up till about the following Sunday or even Monday.  1.8T HP I think is around 160-something, 175 stock HP for the VR6, and I would say that parts are matched pretty evenly as far as availability.  Golfs are nice too, same motors just hatchback so it's lighter.  I know less than zero about diesels!  So that's my opinion, and it would take way to long for me to descrive everything about the motors!!  Just go test drive the 1.8T, 2.slow (2.0 motor, good on gas, bummy HP and pickup, Grandma version Jetta) and the VR6.  Only you can know what serves you best! 

I don't know alot about the Diesel Jetta's either but my friend has a 2006 and he seems to love it. It gets awesome gas milage but in my opinion it lacks power, but that thing can pour some smoke out. I have the 1.8T and the best ive got is 410 miles on a tank (with premium gas) on the highway. so its awesome on milage to. The VR6 is a pretty quick motor but ive raced my ex girlfreinds 2003 VR6 and won her by a car and a half, it was an automatic though. But both cars were stock. But Bagel is right, save yourself some time and dont even bother with the 2.0, its amazingly slow!haha. If it were me i would go with the 1.8, it gets awesome gas milage and the turbo gives it some nice power, i have no regrets buying mine, but thats just my opinion.

get the 1.8 turbo...then you could up grade to twin turbo and get over 345 hp
but stock it smokes hatchbacks,nissans and those little darns asian cars