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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#78 of 121 Re: R32 questions [drjlag] by eldaino Oct 11, 2007 (10:35 am)
Replying to: drjlag (Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am) i don't like arguing with people, but since we are on a forum where its ok to post misinformation because we only have hosts not moderators, i like to step in every now and then. why did you say you were very welcome indeed for though? regardless if certain dealers bully the car or not, it still isn't really fair that people do that to certain cars. If the car can take it, why not just buy the one you test drove and 'bullied'? It just makes no sense. You can choose to not follow the manual all you want, but coming from a guy who still thinks 'lets rock'(not to mention one who thinks there is a special 'extra power button' on the bottom of the accelerator for better performance. ) is a legitamate thing to say, i'll be following any manufacturers manuals. Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 12, 2007 11:36 am) eldaino (Feb 06, 2008 7:40 am) factoryricho (Sep 25, 2008 10:35 pm)
#79 of 121 Test drive by upstatedoc Oct 12, 2007 (5:22 am)
Took the R32 out yesterday with (unfortunately) the salesman. I test drove #1957, bright red. That'll attract cops like a moth to flame. Anyway, its a great ride, very solid. A little more body roll than my '05 TL, probably about the same acceleration. It understeers if you push it hard in the corners. The salesman encouraged this. The 4-motion makes all the difference. Makes it feel much more stable than the TL. Once again I knew more about the vehicle than the salesman did. That irritates me for some reason. The dealership originally had four, two have sold and the remaining both have nav. which pushes the MSRP over 35k. This just seems like a little too much for a rabbit on steroids. Do I have any leverage w/ this price? Any help would be appreciated. Replies to this message: drjlag (Oct 12, 2007 11:59 am) johnfredc (Oct 25, 2007 7:41 pm) 151aeweenie (Oct 28, 2007 3:46 am) tangofoxtrot (Feb 14, 2008 11:34 am)
#80 of 121 Re: R32 questions [eldaino] by drjlag Oct 12, 2007 (11:36 am)
Replying to: eldaino (Oct 11, 2007 10:35 am) Well, you thanked me for encouraging dealers not allowing test drives on limited edition cars, so I (sarcastically, by the way) said you're welcome. One note: the european manuals don't have such break-in "rules" (at least for P cars) for the engines. Explain that! And why do you care so much about me test driving cars and the way in which it happens? Do you really care about the person who buys that white car? Are you worried in the future you might buy a car that has been "bullied"? My advice is to look out for yourself and your own purchases. Pre-order cars that you want and make it clear you don't want anyone test driving it. You may have to put 20% down, but it's worth the money for your sanity. On the other hand, these cars aren't really that expensive. Even BMWs aren't that expensive in my mind. Having a custom-made P car for 70 to 100 K, when the car arrives, it has about 5 to 7 miles on it and it is not fooled with until you pick it up (of course you pay 10 to 20 % before you get in it). R32s came with a couple of stickers on the door (like a seal on a new package). For those who pre-ordered these, they were not test driven. Oh, and how many miles did your R32 have on it when you purchased it? You do have one don't you? You bought one right? Because if it was more than 5, say 30, it was "bullied" with out a doubt. The only way to be sure is to have the door stickers on the on the outside of both doors not tampered with. Did you have this luxury? I would guess not, but if so, you shouldn't have to worry. But you can worry for your fellow man (woman), I guess. Hey, I vote you to be the moderator. How's that! Enough....it's the weekend and I'm out! Enjoy, Dr. J. Lag Replies to this message: eldaino (Feb 06, 2008 7:40 am)
#81 of 121 Re: Test drive [upstatedoc] by drjlag Oct 12, 2007 (11:59 am)
Replying to: upstatedoc (Oct 12, 2007 5:22 am) It's hard to get below MSRP on these types of cars. Mine had a $3K mark-up and I told them no way. I think they were asking over $35K. Try your best, but before long they will all be gone. I would push, that you want the car, but not the nav and see if you can bring the price down with that angle. I wouldn't pay more than $33K for the '08 R32 even with nav. I'll tell you this though, I paid $29K for more '04 R (full leather) and it's still worth about 23 to $25K according to Kelly Blue Book with 47K miles on it for a private sale. And for suggested retail price, get this, $29K. Crazy! Even trade-in is at least $19K! And this car is almost 4 years old with only 6 more monthly payments. Now, that's a great investment (for a car purchase at least). I can only assume the '08 R will follow suit. And condsidering the fact that the '04 R is a manual, no power lumbar, no xenon, no in-dash 6-disk changer, no head-light washers (which you will probably use in the snow, up (or down) the mountain in the dark winter evenings), no-spare tire, no cooled glove-box, no mp3 adapter, 10 less hp, no dual-zone climate control, not as solid of a feel, not as low of a ride height (the EU '04 R was lower than the NA and had xenons, these didn't make it over the pond though), no TPMS, no foot-well lighting, and anything else I may be leaving off. I think that's a pretty reasonable price. Finally, everytime I get into my '04, I smile. I love it! That is worth a lot, to say the least. And the '08 is growing on me too, but the manual is great! Too bad the 6-speed wasn't made for the '08 as well. Good luck! And I'm out for real this time.... Cheers, Jason Replies to this message: johnfredc (Oct 25, 2007 7:41 pm) 151aeweenie (Oct 28, 2007 3:46 am) tangofoxtrot (Feb 14, 2008 11:34 am)
#82 of 121 Re: Test drive [drjlag] by johnfredc Oct 25, 2007 (7:41 pm)
Replying to: drjlag (Oct 12, 2007 11:59 am) I have had my gray '08 R32 three weeks and I can tell you it is a truly astounding car. Leave it in D and it is a pussy-cat: smooth, quiet, stress-free competence. Put it in S and floor it and... watch out! I am very pleased. My previous car was a '96 VR6 5 speed which was quite fast in a straight line though exhibited a bit more understeer and body lean than is sporting. I liked that car a lot, but this R32 has touched me somewhere deep inside. I don't use the paddles much, because starting in S, then shifting into D at speed gives all the thrills I need plus, approaching a corner (if you time it right), moving the lever from D into S is just the ticket for perfect downshifts and just the right gear coming out. I'm sold on the DSG. Wonderful car, so buy one now. If Porsche acquires VW we may not see any more of them. Replies to this message: 151aeweenie (Oct 28, 2007 3:46 am) tangofoxtrot (Feb 14, 2008 11:34 am)
#83 of 121 Re: Test drive [johnfredc] by 151aeweenie Oct 28, 2007 (3:46 am)
Replying to: johnfredc (Oct 25, 2007 7:41 pm) My gray one should arrive this week. I'm glad you are so pleased, I expect to have the same reaction. Unfortunately my butt is still in the sandbox, I'll have to wait for R&R in January before I can drive it. But, I've been waiting 2+ years, so what's another 2 months? I had a 2000 Euro-spec Integra Type-R when I was in Germany. I still miss that one, I'm hoping the R32 can fill that void a little bit. I realize they are vastly different cars in a lot of ways, but I'm hoping the R32 will be just as fun to drive.
#84 of 121 Follow-up Test! by KarenS HOST Nov 13, 2007 (6:08 am)
Follow-Up Test: 2008 Volkswagen R32
#85 of 121 There are a couple of problems with this car by ccd1 Nov 13, 2007 (10:15 am)
First of all, the R32 isn't sufficiently better than the GTI to justify the added price. This has been the verdict on the A3 2.0 vs the 3.2 and the TT 2.0 vs. 3.2. The second problem is that, at around $35k, the R32 is up against some pretty stiff competition like the WRX STI, the EVO X and probably the BMW 135i, not to mention the 350Z, G35 and RX-8. The R32 will probably sell well because not many cars are being brought into the US, but I personally would not choose this car over most of the competition. VW just didn't bring enough to the table. Replies to this message: traderyin (Nov 14, 2007 12:38 pm)
#86 of 121 Re: There are a couple of problems with this car [ccd1] by traderyin Nov 14, 2007 (12:38 pm)
Replying to: ccd1 (Nov 13, 2007 10:15 am) I can't agree more, ccd1. $35k is way steep for a hot hatch. This is just an Audi TT with 6k discount. How's the performance number stack up against the Mazdaspeed 3? I think I take the MS 3 if I want a hot hatch.
#87 of 121 Out of touch? by greening Nov 14, 2007 (2:25 pm)
I'm not seeing a single car with impressive fuel efficiency. Where are you people? Accceleration? For what? Jack rabbit starts at traffic lights? We owned a car 20 years ago that got 40 MPG. We owned a car 10 years ago that got 60 MPG. Let's get with the program and the consumer and stop with the gas guzzlers. Show us a car that makes sense! Replies to this message: deepclue (Nov 18, 2007 3:44 pm)