My local dealer has a 2001 4.2 coming in "on the boat". It's Pearl White, which I want, but doesn't have sport suspension. Will aftermarket springs be sufficient or is it not a good idea to consider this car if I want a sport ride?

Also... does anyone know if you can put the lower ratio 2.7t rear end in the 4.2?

that your willingness to "tune" the car is the key. For me, the factory sport suspension seems the way to go. Hard to explain, but I'll give it a shot. With the factory provided set up for the sport susp., I'm getting it from the maker or (hopefully) expert. Their (VWAG) testing, one would hope, is/was very methodical for this type of "mod". There are plenty of folks in here who are more willing, have much more experience and maybe more daring than I to try cool stuff. But, imho I would wait for a sport package car to become available. Forget the warranty issue if you're willing, btw. To others, and I'm not sure I'm one, the warranty is a significant issue. Jmho.

I wish. This is a big (several thousand) expenditure.

plus the hassle and expense of upgrading the suspension, plus the wheels. The wait however, will be painful.
Probably are not too many Pearl Whites around (never seen one). Maybe, they could do a search and find one with the sport package and swap it with the non-sport on the boat (redirect both cars).
Good luck.

and it has the sport package, chances are that it is a special order. Most dealers only get to order a couple 4.2 at the most, per month.

Have your dealer look at a regional ( not just statewide ) search. Of course, the dealer who has a sport package car coming, is more likely in touch with the market and less likely to trade away a hot car.

My guess is that you will need to decide between the sport package, pearl white, or waiting for a special order.

If I remember correctly, others here have mentioned success in requesting that their dealers "reconfigure" already-ordered cars. In other words, let's say that a dealer has a 4.2 already on order for dealer stock. Assume that the order has made some progress through the pipeline but has not yet been built. My understanding is that under certain conditions the dealer can make changes to the car's specifications without affecting its position in the queue. This allows you to "special order" without having to wait out the total normal time.

April, can you shed any light on the possibilities, limitations, etc.?