Oh, we found the exhaust leak:
Just a broken collar clamp. Got it fixed for free, and changed the oil (synthetic) for $66 today, bringing the road ready total to $3k. Tax tags etc....
Drove it 100 miles after work today, and it rides like a new car. Went and picked up the kids and returned to NJ. Only used 1/4 tank doing it too. Spencer loves it. His favorite thing is the trunk lever that is also a big VW logo. Wants me to find one like it for his friend.