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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#23 of 121 Audi perspective by ccd1 Jul 03, 2007 (8:34 am)
eldaino: Maybe I should hang around VW forums because I get the clear impression from Audi forums that most people would add a chip and anti-sway bar to the 2.0T and skip the 3.2. Certainly this is a much cheaper way to equal the handling/performance of a stock 3.2 than paying for this more expensive car. Most of the "tuner types" seem to gravitate to the 2.0T on the Audi forums. I'm actually surprised to see a different attitude towards the VW versions of this car. I would have expected the same approach. Replies to this message: sonic0075 (Jul 03, 2007 4:05 pm)
#24 of 121 Re: Audi perspective [ccd1] by sonic0075 Jul 03, 2007 (4:05 pm)
Replying to: ccd1 (Jul 03, 2007 8:34 am) I have driven a new GTi with a 2.0T, and trust me, it will never equal the torque output of an .:R. Sorry, I know the 2.0T can be chipped into a monster engine, but even with all that horsepower, it will be seeing my bumper at the track, lol.
#25 of 121 I ordered one by golfmd Jul 03, 2007 (4:48 pm)
While some of you are quibbling about power and cost, I'll be enjoying my new ride and blasting through some Buffalo snow. Then, when it's time, I'll sell it for close to it's original cost. There's no debate here folks. More than enough power, AWD, more luxurious than it's counterparts and will resell for close to, if not equal to, original value.
#26 of 121 Read the reviews by ccd1 Jul 03, 2007 (6:10 pm)
sonic: To understand where I am coming from, read the reviews of the A3 3.2. For starters, Inside Line reviewed the car and came to the conclusion it wasn't much faster than the 2.0T and just not worth the extra money. The A3 2.0T is just a premium re-branding of the the GTI under the Audi name. Same is true of the A3 3.2; it is the Audi version of the R32. Why should the almost universal conclusions about the value of the A3 3.2 versus the 2.0T apply to GTI/R32??? Replies to this message: sonic0075 (Jul 04, 2007 10:18 pm) eldaino (Jul 05, 2007 6:54 am) sonic0075 (Jul 05, 2007 5:18 pm) and 1 more... dmikes (Sep 01, 2007 5:55 pm) eldaino (Jul 05, 2007 7:00 am)
#27 of 121 Re: Read the reviews [ccd1] by sonic0075 Jul 04, 2007 (10:18 pm)
Replying to: ccd1 (Jul 03, 2007 6:10 pm) I understand where you are coming from, but the difference of a GTI and an R32 is what, $7000? (maybe less and maybe more in some markets. I know most new GTI's are hitting close to $30K if you get that dumb fahrenheit edition) The difference of a decent A3 2.0T and an A3 3.2 is way more. Also, you get a 6 speed in either version of the 2.0T and only that crappy DSG in the 3.2 versions. Thats the main problem everyone should be angry about. Just read their comments on the tranny! The new DSG's just do not give you that kind of car where you are going to be fully satisfied at a track, period. The new R32 is lighter than my 04 R32 and has more power (10 hp whoop de freakin doo) yet is slower 0-60, and got killed on the infamous Nurburgring by my 04 version of the R32. Why? DSG. Plain and simple. Everyone who has taken that tranny out on a track says, its slower to accelerate and does not keep the gear you want when on a track. Now, the only question anyone should be asking is why would you buy a new R32 with ONLY a DSG transmission available? The only way I will get one is if my left foot gets sawed off in some freak accident and I can no longer operate a clutch. Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 05, 2007 6:54 am) sonic0075 (Jul 05, 2007 5:18 pm) eldaino (Jul 06, 2007 4:48 am) dmikes (Sep 01, 2007 5:55 pm)
#28 of 121 Re: Read the reviews [sonic0075] by eldaino Jul 05, 2007 (6:54 am)
Replying to: sonic0075 (Jul 04, 2007 10:18 pm) your first post made me happy, this one does not. dsg makes a car faster; it shifts quicker than a human can, and wether that is good or not for track duty is a different subject, since the 'fast' we are talking about here is 0-60. and no, the new r32 DOES NOT weigh less than the one you have. enjoy your r32, dont' hate on the new one. no one is making you drive it and it is stil a great ride. (not everyone is using it for the track you know. ) Replies to this message: sonic0075 (Jul 05, 2007 5:18 pm) eldaino (Jul 06, 2007 4:48 am)
#29 of 121 Re: Read the reviews [ccd1] by eldaino Jul 05, 2007 (7:00 am)
Replying to: ccd1 (Jul 03, 2007 6:10 pm) because the a3 3.2 has never been an exclusive limited edition model that will sell for close to or more than its orginal price? ( plus aside from the r32's exclusivity, its still a bit cheaper than the a3 3.2 is it not?) people come on! what other car can claim that but an old classic muscle car or exotic? plain and simple we cant just go on the a3 comparos just because they use the same engines. i belive the audi's weigh a bit more as well. (hence why an a3 2.0t is slower than a gti.) what answer is it that you are looking for? vw is going to change the fact that any of these cars exist, the pepole who want to buy one will buy it regardless if you think its not worth it. there is no sense in trying to 'decipher' this further!
#30 of 121 Re: Read the reviews [eldaino] by sonic0075 Jul 05, 2007 (5:18 pm)
Replying to: eldaino (Jul 05, 2007 6:54 am) Wow, I feel so bad for displeasing this magical person on an edmunds.com sound off board. You are correct. The new R32 is heavier (100 pounds about). It is ironic how you say that the track feel doesn't matter considering every magazine comments on the R32's track times and handling and prowess. So we will take the track out of it. You take your DSG up any windy mountain road and I take my 6 speed manual and we will see who is happier with his/her gearbox Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 06, 2007 4:48 am)
#31 of 121 Re: Read the reviews [sonic0075] by eldaino Jul 06, 2007 (4:48 am)
Replying to: sonic0075 (Jul 05, 2007 5:18 pm) I feel so bad for displeasing this magical person on an edmunds.com sound off board hope you are being sarcastic, because its no biggie, i correct misinformation all the time. no one is saying track feel doesn't 'matter'. Im just saying its not at the top of everyones list. and since most people buying the new r32 will want it for more reasons that just track times, the dsg suits it well. if track is all you are preoccupied with, then get an older r32 ,simple as that. (something that you already have done.) You take your DSG up any windy mountain road and I take my 6 speed manual and we will see who is happier with his/her gearbox i'm pretty sure that if i chose a dsg gearbox and was going up a mountain road, i'd love it just as much as you love your manual, because its to each his own. your definition of what is a good gear box is different then mine. (and a lot of other peoples, seeing as how the dsg has been celebrated much more than vw's regular manuals.) its no biggie, you enjoy what you enjoy for your reasons, and i'll do the same.
#32 of 121 Re: If the R32 is not much of an upgrade... [eljefe68] by 40valves Jul 06, 2007 (6:39 am)
Replying to: eljefe68 (Jul 02, 2007 6:54 am) Why, how and where is everyone getting the idea that this car is slower?! The 200hp FWD GTI is pulling a high "14" in the 1/4 mile. 0-60 it's in the 6 second range. The R32 is a low "14" second car in the 1/4 mile. As a matter of fact a lot of the 2004 R32's posted 1/4 times in the "13.9" second range when at the track. It's 0-60 time is in the 5's. I'm not so sure about you but when something is a half a second or a full second quicker than its counterpart or competitor...that's a life time in racing...and its a good accomplishment. Now equipped with the DSG transmission, and 10hp more...the new R32 is definitely the better car than the regular GTI. As far as a price difference, if you opt out a regular GTI without Navigation, but everything else...you fall in the $27k range. The R32 is only $5k more than that, without Navigation. So it's not a big difference when you consider the motor, the AWD, and the extra engineering that goes into the car. cya Replies to this message: 40valves (Jul 06, 2007 7:59 am) eldaino (Jul 09, 2007 10:12 am) tcrawley1 (Jul 12, 2007 9:40 am) bananadan (Jul 13, 2007 9:36 pm)