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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#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)
#33 of 121 Re: If the R32 is not much of an upgrade... [40valves] by 40valves Jul 06, 2007 (7:59 am)
Replying to: 40valves (Jul 06, 2007 6:39 am) One other thing I forgot to mention, and by the way, I went back and read the rest of the comments from you folks and jeeese! You all whine way too much. If you don't like the darned car, don't buy it. But I digress... Regarding the Modifications you can make to any 2.0T. Sure, there are plenty and yes they yield a ton of HP for you. However, you will still have a Front Wheel Drive car. This becomes a HUGE proglem as you give it more Horsepower. Torque steer and wheel spin become a negative trait of Front Wheel Drive cars with TOO MUCH POWER! Enter in the AWD system for the R32...problem solved. So if you want a 4 banger with a hamster wheel attached to it, so you can FLASH the ECU for more PSI, be my guest. It has always and forever will be the case that you pay more for displacement. Regarding the EVOs and STIs of the world. You have seen that the body style on these cars are changing. They represented too much of a BOY RACER image. Yes they are powerful and yadda, yadda, yadda...but they don't have the all around characteristics that the VW has. Not to mention the cost of the EVO is going up...high 30's...not sure about the STI but with the way it looks now - its kind of ugly. Never the less the R32 represents such a great car to me that I'm considering trading my 2004 AUDI S4 in on it. The R32 is pretty much in a class by itself...so get over it if you don't like it. Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 09, 2007 10:12 am) tcrawley1 (Jul 12, 2007 9:40 am) bananadan (Jul 13, 2007 9:36 pm)
#34 of 121 Re: If the R32 is not much of an upgrade... [40valves] by eldaino Jul 09, 2007 (10:12 am)
Replying to: 40valves (Jul 06, 2007 7:59 am) good post, totally agree! but granted that you can get a gti without any packgages and just the dsg for less than 25k represents a big difference in price. the upgrades are totally worth it, but again, not totally do-able for everyone wanting a performance vee dub.
#35 of 121 tell me why by lukea Jul 09, 2007 (8:40 pm)
Are any of you really interested in the car? If so, please post why you like it and avoid all of the shots that people have been taking. I have one on order and here is what made it for me: No "boy racer" cop bait image. Comfort over go kart handling and ride. I have traded HP for comfort here but can chip it and do a few things if I feel it does not have enough. (What's enough)? Between the excellent chassis tuning and the AWD, I can put 700 miles on it in a day and arrive in a relaxed, comfortable state of mind. It is that ability to smoothly eat up the miles that I appreciate. It has enough power to get the job done without buzzing the engine. Go for a ride in an EVO and you will get my point - can you imagine 700 miles through the mountains in one? Please, tell me what YOU like about the car. Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 10, 2007 6:53 am)
#36 of 121 Re: tell me why [lukea] by eldaino Jul 10, 2007 (6:53 am)
Replying to: lukea (Jul 09, 2007 8:40 pm) everything you just mentioned! actually, don't let the tourer image get you down; i was watching a review from top gear and they test drove the r32 and could not stop commenting on how hard it griped the pavement, and clocked it around the track FASTER than a 1 series with the m sport package, and even faster than the revered previous gen r32. all this PLUS the comfort and everday luxury and driveablility that you mentioned. This car is fantastic! and the engine...oh man what a sound!
#37 of 121 Re: If the R32 is not much of an upgrade... [40valves] by tcrawley1 Jul 12, 2007 (9:40 am)
Replying to: 40valves (Jul 06, 2007 7:59 am) I don't like hatches if it was a sedan or coupe it might be worth it to me,as far as trading an S4 for a hatch! I wouldn't even consider it. The R32 is for hatch lovers who don't like torque steer, which isn't a bad thing just not for me. Replies to this message: bananadan (Jul 13, 2007 9:36 pm)
#38 of 121 Re: If the R32 is not much of an upgrade... [tcrawley1] by bananadan Jul 13, 2007 (9:36 pm)
Replying to: tcrawley1 (Jul 12, 2007 9:40 am) if you like a coupe the same underlying hardware is available in the new TT coupe. but it comes at a price. and the hatch has a far more usable body style . . for instance, actually holds four people in comfort once they launch themselves into the back seat. the TT back seat is only for amputees and miniature people. also, you have tremendous utility with the seats folded. loads of near-station-wagon space - - not all that different than an A3 . . . so, world class performance (at least in some ways,) combined with real-world four passenger capacity and great road manners . . . not for everyone, but worthy of consideration . . .
#39 of 121 Re: exact same engine by bananadan Jul 13, 2007 (9:39 pm)
Replying to: djsherif (Jul 02, 2007 8:54 pm) i have a TT 3.2 and have an R32 on order. it is the exact same engine. period. narrow angle derived from the previous VR6. exact same specifications, top to bottom. also 4Matic is identical to AWD system in the TT, that is, Haldex system. and DSG should be more or less identical to TT system, except with some refinements from my 2005 version. Of course, I get to drive the thing before making the final committment . . .