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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#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 . . .
#40 of 121 Re: None of this makes any sense!!! [ccd1] by bananadan Jul 13, 2007 (9:44 pm)
Replying to: ccd1 (Jul 02, 2007 8:35 am) uh, I have driven the 3.2 in my current tt, and the 2.0 in a GTI. as much as I would love to believe VW's hype that they have eliminated "turbo lag," this is not the case in my opinion. The GTI takes some time to spool up and deliver power. My TT just simply goes like snot whenever you step on the pedal. I am not sure that there is a simple substitute for raw torque at low RPM. the 2.0 did not feel like it had it. I really don't care what the specs say; the car stood still when I tromped on it, which is NOT something I would ever say about my 3.2. So I have opted for the 3.2. . . . put down the spec sheet and DRIVE the cars. then decide if it is worth the money. reading reviews and spec sheets will make you nuts. Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 16, 2007 9:34 am)
#41 of 121 Re: Article Comments - 2008 VW R32 First Drive [eljefe68] by rwr1 Jul 14, 2007 (5:57 pm)
Replying to: eljefe68 (Jun 29, 2007 11:52 am) You say " how many are going to want to pay more for a car that is no faster or at worst slower" . I for one! I ordered a United Grey 2008 R32. It is already built and somewhere between the factory in Germany and the dealer in Seattle. VW says it will arrive the end of Aug. I can't wait. By my calculations the R32 is only $3900 more expensive - I took the GTI and added ground effects package (which the R32 has!), sunroof, leather interior, DSG, and the cheapest 18' spoked rims for a total of $29,065. I would buy it even if it had the same performance as a GTI because of the AWD and the VR6. However, it is faster! The same magazine that had the GTI 0-60 at 6.2 sec had the R32 0-60 at 5.8sec! That is a huge difference! The English VW site says 0-60 times for 3 door are - GTI 6-speed 7.2: GTI DSG 6.9; GTI 30th Anniversary (230hp) 6-speed 6.8; GTI 30th Anniversary DSG 6.6; R32 6.5sec; R32 DSG 6.2sec. Do you think VW makes up these figures? Or that some ill-informed people on this site have the real info - I don't think so! I have driven the Mk V GTI DSG and it is a great car - for a turbo and for a front wheel drive! Lastly, don't think the R32 is only for young people - I am 62 and hadicapped from a motorcycle accident - if it didn't have a DSG, I wouldn't be buying it. Also I think very strongly about this - I am trading a Lexus is300 hatchback for the R32! Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 16, 2007 9:29 am)
#42 of 121 Re: Article Comments - 2008 VW R32 First Drive [rwr1] by eldaino Jul 16, 2007 (9:29 am)
Replying to: rwr1 (Jul 14, 2007 5:57 pm) congrats on your purchase and enjoy!
#43 of 121 Re: None of this makes any sense!!! [bananadan] by eldaino Jul 16, 2007 (9:34 am)
Replying to: bananadan (Jul 13, 2007 9:44 pm) if you think the gti has turbo lag, you have not driven many modern turbo charged cars. If you have, you would be much more kind to the gti's very VERY small shortcomings. while the lag is there, its not as huge of a deal as you are making it out to be. Is the the 3.2? no its not. but its still one heck of an engine. drive any other turbocharged car that competes with the gti (wrx, mazdaspeed3 etc) and then we can discuss the true nature of 'turbo lag'.