Question regarding FTDI chip vs. standard RS232

[Matz]

In another post that I once read, Colby said that he uses the FTDI chip because it can generate non-standard baud rates, as well as having more consistent drive voltage compared to a standard PC's RS232 port.

Before I waste time even starting my next "dream" project, can anyone comment on how much trouble I would have if I hacked apart the to-be-released 1.3 cable and directly interfaced via the PC's RS232 port? Would I have to use a buffer in between?

Basically, what I want to start working on is a handheld tuning device with a touchscreen. I'd like it to be able to offer most of the functionality that the OpenECU software provides. However, if there are fundamental roadblocks that would make it impossible to realize this goal, then I'm not even going to try.