Questions from a new GTI owner

[McDub]

I've had my car for a week now.
2003 model gti with 85,000 k's, good condition for 15.5k.

I have two questions, and they may be related.

First thing, is when i start the car, there's a short engine knocking kind of sound, almost like i'm starting up a diesel. What could this be? or is it normal?
Note the water pump has gone on this before and the car overheated (im unaware of the specifics), but it got replaced along with the timing belt, so possible engine damage?


Second thing. This could just be turbo lag, but i find the car is a dog to start. letting out the clutch the slightest bit just eats up for those precious revs, and putting your foot down on the gas doesn't seem to help. I've tried starting quickly a few times, and the only way i've found is to get the revs up past 3000, and to gradually let the clutch go. it seems to absolutely struggle if i let the clutch out too much.
I don't know if i'm expecting too much, but i'm just worried that there may be a fault with the car. Hopefully though, it is just my poor driving. I've previously only driven manuals every so often, like once a month (from holden utes to RX8s).
If any of you have driven an RX-8 before, i find it has a very simillar thing. So could just simply be low torque at low revs.


Oh other than that, i absolutely love this car. plenty of juice once that turbo spools up