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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#67 of 121 New R32 not as pronounced exhaust note as the old R32 by drjlag Sep 28, 2007 (8:39 am)
R32 lovers and haters out there: After owning and driving the new R for just over a month now with about 1000 miles on the odo, I have to take back my comment that the exhaust note louder than the old one. My '04 R32 has a much louder exhaust (possibly because it older and "broken-in" more...?) upon start-up and just driving around. I guess I didn't notice it at first, but now it's obvious. The xenons are friggin amazing, by the way. I wish I had those on my old R, but the wife gets the new one....because I'm so nice. I also bought some detail stuff from Griot's Garage online. This stuff is great and makes washing/waxing/cleaning the cars so easy, it's down right fun. It's great to have a first generation R32 parked right next the second generation R32 all cleaned and detailed in my garage. They both look brand new. I had a neighbor come up my drive way and tell me they both looked great. He thought they were both brand new, but I told in the blue one was almost 4 years old, he couldn't believe it. The '04 R32 has about 47000 miles on it and I put 30000 miles on in one year driving to work. Now I drive 8 a day to work. I kinda miss driving her so much, on the highway and stuff, but I don't miss buying gas (about 3 tanks a week) and the fact that I will wear out the 4 year warranty by year not mileage and the 5 year warranty by year as well. My battery died during the summer and they replaced it free of charge. COOL!! Next up, a Porsche. I've been waiting a while for one. I like the Cayman S, but it doesn't have the power I'm looking for. I'd like the 3.6 L boxer in the Cayman S, but currently, they have the 3.4 L. I also like the GT3. But I have about 2 years or so to decide...and that's plenty of time. Oh, by the way. I will never get rid of my R32's. They are keepers for sure. Take it easy and enjoy your rides, whatever they are! Cheers, Jason
#68 of 121 R32's are Great by schizasjr Oct 06, 2007 (9:56 am)
I own a '04 r32 a really enjoy it. The only question is if its worth getting rid of any buying an '08. Does anyone have an opinion? Also, anyone with an 04 r32 experience excessive squeeking and creaking from the front seats and emergency brake? Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 10:24 am)
#69 of 121 R32 questions by upstatedoc Oct 09, 2007 (4:21 am)
I'm going to test drive an R32 this weekend and wonder if any owners can answer some questions. Has anyone had experience w/ one in the snow? I live on a fairly steep hill and have gotten stuck on it w/ a front wheel drive car. Also, what are the prices people are paying for an '08 w/ nav? Thanks in advance. Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 10:31 am) upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:17 pm) drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 12:33 pm) and 8 more...
#70 of 121 Re: R32's are Great [schizasjr] by drjlag Oct 09, 2007 (10:24 am)
Replying to: schizasjr (Oct 06, 2007 9:56 am) I would not get rid of the '04 R32 for the '08 R32. And that's my opinion. My R does have some creaking in the front seats and the emergency brake. The brake doesn't bother me at all. Only squeaks when pulled up to park. The seats can be fixed by conditioning the leather. At least for mine, it worked. I think the creaking is from the middle seat inserts rubbing on the other parts of the seats (the bolsters). Hope this helps, but you can always just keep the windows wide open and the revs above 3200 rpm and the only noise is from the beautiful exhaust . Cheers, Jason
#71 of 121 Re: R32 questions [upstatedoc] by drjlag Oct 09, 2007 (10:31 am)
Replying to: upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 4:21 am) I have driven the '04 R32 in the snow. It handles great! I was on both backroads and the highway with a few inches of snow. The ESP is really amazing too! Won't let the driver do too much if the roads aren't in good shape. I think you should have no prob getting up a snowy hill, unless it is iced over. Then, it's time to break out the chains. I paid $32,900 for my '08 R32 w/o nav. I think the nav is about $2,100 more. So, you do the math...Enjoy the test drive and don't forget to put it in Sport mode and press the peddle to the floor, then a little more pressure and you hit warp drive. Really, there is a button under the gas pedal that pushes down for an even faster drive. But one note: DON'T DO THAT TO THE ONE YOU BUY!!!! We test drove a white one and dogged it, then bought the gray one. Cheers, Jason Replies to this message: upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:17 pm) drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 12:33 pm) upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:54 pm) and 7 more...
#72 of 121 Re: R32 questions [drjlag] by upstatedoc Oct 09, 2007 (12:17 pm)
Replying to: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 10:31 am) Thanks for the info. Do you have the summer tires or the all seasons? I've read that the '08 R32 only comes w/ the summer tires. Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 12:33 pm) upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:54 pm) drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 1:13 pm) and 6 more...
#73 of 121 Re: R32 questions [upstatedoc] by drjlag Oct 09, 2007 (12:33 pm)
Replying to: upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:17 pm) No problem. I have the summer tires (Goodyear F1s the OEM tires for the '04 R32). I should note that they should not be used below freezing temps (recommended by manufacturer), but mine have been fine. Just driving carefully makes all the difference. They do tend to get quite hard in the winter months though, which can lead to cracking, but, again, mine have been fine. Didn't change tires until about 40K. Later. Replies to this message: upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:54 pm) drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 1:13 pm) eldaino (Oct 10, 2007 7:56 am) and 5 more...
#74 of 121 Re: R32 questions [drjlag] by upstatedoc Oct 09, 2007 (12:54 pm)
Replying to: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 12:33 pm) Thanks again for the info, you seem to be just the guy I need to talk to. What kind of mileage are you getting? We currently have two suv's and are looking to replace the older one w/ a car that I can commute to work in. I live about half a mile from work and it just doesn't make sense to fire up the big suv everyday. Unfortunately the half a mile is straight up on the way home. Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 1:13 pm) eldaino (Oct 10, 2007 7:56 am) drjlag (Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am) and 4 more...
#75 of 121 Re: R32 questions [upstatedoc] by drjlag Oct 09, 2007 (1:13 pm)
Replying to: upstatedoc (Oct 09, 2007 12:54 pm) I drive about 8 miles a day to work and don't drive much on the weekend. Right now, I fill my tank up about once a month. It would be nice to live that close to work (.5 mi), but then I would ride a bike or even walk! But I love to drive my R. If you want mpg, I would say about 18 to and from work. This is mostly stop and go and with speeds no higher than 45 mph or so. Highway about 24, but for long trips, I have been able to get almost 30. But the new R32 may get a little less mpg b/c of the auto and weight as well as a little more power, but I don't think it's significant in real world terms. I'll ask my wife what kind of mpg she is getting in the '08 R32. She drives a lot more than me; about 25 to 30 miles a day. That's why I got it for her. She loves the xenons b/c it makes driving at night so much easier to see, esp. since the days are getting shorter. Good to keep the wife safe. Later. Replies to this message: eldaino (Oct 10, 2007 7:56 am) drjlag (Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am) eldaino (Oct 11, 2007 10:35 am) and 3 more...
#76 of 121 Re: R32 questions [drjlag] by eldaino Oct 10, 2007 (7:56 am)
Replying to: drjlag (Oct 09, 2007 1:13 pm) despite the new epa methods (something that the old r32 wasn't subject to), and overall weight, the new R does just about as good as the old one. kinda sucks for whoever buys that white R. its that type of driving that makes dealers NOT want to let people test drive limited run cars. So thanks for encouraging that attitude. Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am) eldaino (Oct 11, 2007 10:35 am) drjlag (Oct 12, 2007 11:36 am) and 1 more... factoryricho (Sep 25, 2008 10:35 pm)