When I bought my SHO it was bone stock and actually replaced my Golf as my daily. I started modding right away, and after 6 months...I put 18K miles on it. I actually really enjoyed DD'ing it. However, I didn't like the excessive mileage, and wear and tear. After putting the new trans in, I parked it. I have continued to mod it to the point where it is right now. She sees some weekend driving, and I use her for long trips.
After I parked the SHO, I starting DD'ing the Golf again. It had 224K miles, no power steering or AC but it started and was reliable. However, the clutch started acting up roughly two months later.
I traded the trusty Golf in on my current ST last February. I bought the ST with 82K miles, today it rolled 109K. I love it. It has some tasteful mods along with a AJPTurbo Flex Fuel Tune. I run it on 91 octane most of the time, and it averages right at 30 mpg depending on how I drive it. If I drive it normal (in boost) and cruise at 75 mph on the freeway it gets 28 mpg. If I drive it "slow" while cruising at 68 mph along with lifting and coasting down hills...I have netted 32 mpg.
Cars are fun.