Article Comments - 2008 VW R32 First Drive and Follow-Up Test

121 messages, Last post on Aug 19, 2009 at 3:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen R32, Hatchback

First Drive: 2008 Volkswagen R32 - You need to really like German hatchbacks to appreciate the R32's combination of performance and upscale comfort. If you don't, you won't. (more)

Follow-Up Test: 2008 Volkswagen R32 - If pinpoint refinement is your overriding priority in hot-hatch selection, the 2008 VW R32 is the obvious choice. But some will find it too thoroughly baked. (more)

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#112 of 121 test drove it by huyracing Jul 24, 2008 (7:50 pm)
it was nice, but i preferred the gti. ride quality was worse than the gti. steering wasn't as sharp as the gti. gas mileage is worse than the gti. wasn't really much faster than gti. far more expensive than gti. and i preferred the gti on the 18" huff wheels over the stock r32 wheels. its a good car still, but the gti is a great car. (and you can get a 4 door which is a bonus in my opinion)
#113 of 121 Re: R32 questions [eldaino] by factoryricho Sep 25, 2008 (10:35 pm)
Replying to: eldaino (Oct 11, 2007 10:35 am) On the issue of the "Power Button."( Anyone can try this on their R-32) I understand why this fellow names it the power button. I understand what he is experiencing. If one slides the gate to the right from the "D" position and accelerates at what feels like full throttle (this is where the throttle pedal "naturally stops when accelerating) through first and second gear, and then pushes the accelerator with the force of trying to reach the front headlights, it feels like you are indeed pressing down on what feels like an old time automatic "passing gear." The car will shift down to a lower gear, provided that you haven't reached the red line of that lower gear. The first time I it happened to me, I was upset, because I thought that I had total control in the manual mode. But that isn't the case, and that is the same thing that this fellow is feeling. Yes, if you nail it from the beginning of first gear and red line it in all the gears, you will never notice it. But try what I have said, and see if you don't have the same results. It truly is a "kick down selector," but in the manual position. And people are saying that this car lacks performance. Now that V.W. has perfected the "dual clutch" performance; Porsche has given up on their manual/automatic and so has BMW. They are both using the V.W.'s transmission design layout. Now what does this say about V.W.'s R & D?
#114 of 121 Re: Ummmmm... [eldaino] by factoryricho Oct 04, 2008 (11:34 pm)
Replying to: eldaino (Aug 13, 2007 8:35 am) You are correct in saying," there are a plethora of sources including edmunds own website that will tell you the mkV golfs and rabbits are built in wolfsburg, as is the r32. Look at the vin numbers, they start with a 'w'. " Now, I am surprised, no, stunned that you believe that the "W" stands for "Wolfsburg." I am sure that everyone who read this didn't respond, because you are SO lost. Look at the N.A.D.A. book. It is Yellow. No one but geeks use "Kelly's Blue Book," not unless you are trying to sell a car, or get a loan, because we all use the "Black Book." This is a weekly book that actually shows what "Dealers" are paying for car at their for real "wholesale auction." I won't tell you everything, but check out the N.A.D.A. book. The first "Character" is the country of origin. NOT the town, the car was assembled in. The number "1" is the United States of America. The number "2" is Canada. Three is Mexico, and "W" is for West Germany, when there was such a thing. Trust me, it is not for Wolfsburg. And "J" is for....guess. The 10 digit is the year..... and if you want to know more; use the "plethora of sources," which you haven't. Not bustins' your "plethora of sources," but use them. Replies to this message: shipo (Oct 05, 2008 6:51 am)
#115 of 121 Re: Ummmmm... [factoryricho] by shipo Oct 05, 2008 (6:51 am)
Replying to: factoryricho (Oct 04, 2008 11:34 pm) A couple of comments about your posts: 1) You're responding to eldaino as if he's the one who doesn't understand the basic facts surrounding the R32 when in reality he's got it down pretty well. I think what you're missing is that he was responding in turn to smyle12, and that's the poster that was making comments that were patently untrue. 2) The posts you've responded to are over a year old and the original posters may not even be following this thread any longer. Best regards, Shipo
#116 of 121 08 VW R32 Purchase by tslbmw Oct 06, 2008 (8:55 am)
I am thinking of snatching up one of the few (or should I say, many) R32s still remaining on dealers lots. When I looked up the incentives for this car on edmunds it said there was $2000 in rebate and $2000 in dealer cash; it does not say that this money can not be combined. Should I basically be shooting for invoice minus $4000 as my target price? I have one dealer in my area who has two R32s that have been there for almost a year and I know they would love to unload them at almost any cost.... Thoughts??
#117 of 121 PLEASE HELP!!!!!! I CANT DECIDE!! by quattroporte12 Oct 13, 2008 (9:34 pm)
Alright so, heres the deal... I had an AWESOME bmw x5, 4.4i, sport package, x-drive, loved it. It got totaled. SO... while i had the x5 i got a 335 rental and LOVED IT, so i was looking at used 330xi's , 06 and above, to replace the x5 just because i love the way they drive, awesome car, plus the 20/30 is a nice change from my x5s 16/22. I also am intrigued by the 2008 r32's, and used theyre about the same for a lot less milage and more warranty. updated...i just drove one today, and it is AWESOME. totally unexpected, its actually more fun than the 3 series, and im a HUGE bmw fan so thats saying a lot. i even went to the bmw driving school, i think theyre the benchmark. that car was GOOD. so now im thorougly confused... I drove an a4, it was a 06 2.0t, and was really unimpressed (we have a q7 and it did not hold up to the standard set by the q), so im thinking maybe an 05 s4 would be a nice choice and would drive differently, but again, the gas milage... updated again...i drove the s4 today too, and it was FASTTTT, just pulled, the kind of power im used to from my x5, or, past x5... But it drove great, not as tight as the r32 or 3 series, but it pulled for sure. plus, the quattro is always awesome. AND, the subaru sounds like an all-around good buy, but i dont know if i can see myself actually getting one. (and possibly, i could look at fx's again, i looked at em when i got my x5, but i kinda wanted to move away from the suv thing, so if i got another one its prob be an x5) if anyone could give my any advice or insight or opinion ill take anything i can get!! thank you guys so much!! please help i cant decide!! ive only driven the 330i, and so far ive set that as a benchmark for anything else i drive... Thanks for the help!!!! Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 28, 2008 9:00 am)
#118 of 121 Re: PLEASE HELP!!!!!! I CANT DECIDE!! [quattroporte12] by drjlag Oct 28, 2008 (9:00 am)
Replying to: quattroporte12 (Oct 13, 2008 9:34 pm) Lay off the coffee, man! I would go with a BMW if you're such a fan. Have you tried decaf? The R32 is cool, but it's not a BMW. Don't get me wrong, I love my R's, but I am thinking of checking out the 1 series. The 1 series just looks like an ugly duck. Hard to purchase, but supposed to be silly fast. And the 335i and the M3 are too big (sport sedans are my bag). Still, waiting for Porsche to put a 3.6 L in the Cayman S..........I would go with a new '08 R32. You can really get a deal on one. Good luck with your choice and happy trials. Cheers, Jason
#120 of 121 Low mileage R32 on dealer lot. by usma90 Apr 14, 2009 (9:26 am)
Let's try this again. I've been looking to drive an R32 after having read so much about them. I drove a 2009 GTI, and while it was a blast, it had tons of torque steer. At least I know the traction/stability control works! I didn't think I'd be able to drive an R32 since they aren't making them anymore, but I found one on my local VW dealer's lot. After driving the R32, I think the price difference between the GTI and R32 is worth every penny. Especially considering the markdown on a used R32. Very little torque steer with the 4matic, great VR6 motor, great exhaust sound, paddle shifters, leather, etc., etc. Replies to this message: drjlag (Aug 19, 2009 3:27 am)
#121 of 121 Re: Low mileage R32 on dealer lot. [usma90] by drjlag Aug 19, 2009 (3:27 am)
Replying to: usma90 (Apr 14, 2009 9:26 am) So what's the question? Should you buy the R32? I, for one, say YES! Unless you want a manual....