I heard the fastest Dub was a 8V Corrado tubed....but that's me...I was told it was a 8V and not a 16V...
if you can get your hands an a A3 for 5000$ like you said, get it, havn't seen too many GTI's at that price, regular Golfs no.
and no, no VR6's in 94. 1st one was in 95, OBD I. 96 VR was an OBD II, not the best year...the next year was better.