DSG adapts to the driver. So the difference that you felt might have been just the adjustment to two different drivers.
Ive giving thought to all the cars you just mentioned. Ive driven the GTI stage2 and stage 3 and i just really want to get away from the fwd thing and ive considered the evo,sti,and 135 and researched them im for some reason just not wanting the evo and the sti i think is super ugly (the new one) and the 135 doenst like to be modded they tend to blow their turbos and engines when reflashed.