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VW Golf R32
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Comments
Z engineering is one company that will have a supercharger for the R32, it's due out in April.
As far as comparisons to WRX, etc - The R32 is coming over fully loaded - Xenon's, auto climate control, rain sensing wipers, sunroof, leather, etc., etc. standard - most things you can't get on the Japanese competition even as an option. The R32 will have it's own little niche in the U.S. market, a luxury all wheel drive high performance euro hot-hatch. It may not be the fastest in stock form but I doubt many R32 buyers will really care, 0-60 in 6.6 in Euro specification is hardly slow. There's always the aftermarket to make it as fast as you want - like the large number of WRX owners do with their cars, stock is rarely good enough for anyone anymore.
Now, when I look at all the new and much more powerful cars coming out, with much better style, I ask myself "do I want to spend 30k$ on a golf???" >>> The answer took about a month to realize, and the answer is hell no! The body style is pretty much lagging in time, even if it is dressed up with some ground effects and new badges, wow...
Now, if the Golf V looks better and has more style, then maybe I will buy another golf, until then, not gonna happen! I already own a 97 Golf VR6 and a 2002 Golf TDI (opposites end of the spectrum, huh??)...
So, what is my message to VW? Bring us some Golf's that have some modern technology/style incorporated into their vehicles, so people wouldn't stereotype the car to just the 19-29yr old white male population.
I guess I would like to have a Golf with the option of a 2 or 4 door, with DSG, and one that will turn the heads of ladies, not just young white males. Also, gotta make a Golf that will do 0-60 in less than 6 seconds!
PS: The front seats need a better way to recline. Turning that dumb-[non-permissible content removed] thing is pretty ridiculous and very annoying...
If you don't care too much about AWD just buy a GTI 1.8t and then add:
- a programmable APR chip
- a rear sway bar
- upgraded struts/springs
- a few interior/exterior bits from Euro GTIs and Audi TT's
End result is a fast, agile and still practical hatchback with a beautiful interior for less than 22k.
I just checked out the Euro mag "Car." They had a camparo of the R32 vs. the Alfa 147(?) vs. Ford Focus RS. The R32 held its own very well as was preferred other the others in several of the driving conditions it was tested under.
Of course you could get an EVO, WRX, or wait for the next Golf R32 in VW's fifth platform iteration coming in the next couple of years.....
I think $30k is a bargain for an AWD 240 HP sports car with leather, climatronic, rain sensing wipers, sunroof, Xenons, 18" wheels, tuned suspension etc.. About the only thing it compares to is a 330 BMW with a sports package which would be mid $40k's equipped like an R32 - not to mention the Beemer has 15 less HP and nothing near the utility of a rear hatch. An A4 3.0 Quattro wagon would be another comparable car- not a small nimble car and north of $35k similarly equipped.
VW will have no trouble selling all the R32's they bring over here.
Waiting for a Golf V is always an option for some people, the Golf IV is a classic hatchback design that I think will age well.
Hey, I don't see reports of the MPG yet. Any guesses?
You wont be dissapointed with the R32 in any way! It's coming direct from Germany, not a 3rd world country, and I'm not talking about Canada.
You will dust the turbo 1.8 guaranteed! That will be nice to see
Also, the AWD will be "very" useful when accelerating on slippery ground...!
Best of luck!
J. Milch
At $28-32k, they will be competing with many nice cars that can do what the VW does in many ways, with subtle differences:
Nissan 350Z
Infiniti G35 Coupe and Sedan
Mazda RX8
Subaru WRX (STi?)
Mitsu Evo
2004 Mustangs - the new All-American Sport Car
Acura RSX-S
Mercedes Benz C230 Hatch (under cutting a VW by $4k? Less engine, more MB)
BMW 325 - Sure it is stock w/o options, but still a BMW
Saab 9-3 (cheaper by a min of $3k to start?)
Dodge Neon SRT-4 (215 hp at $20k, it isn't direct competition, but a reason to think that a $30k Golf is kinda silly)
Mini Cooper S
Lexus IS300 (if price is the same, what makes more sense? for an everyday driver?)
All that, and we haven't even considered most of the lesser cars that are more sedate, but also less expensive...that makes for a lot of competition for a spec Golf.
I think selling 5-10k models shouldn't be too tough, that is about 20-30 cars per dealer, IIRC, for the year. But the R32 is more of an oddity than a market shaker.
Still, I would love to see the car in person, drive it and let the games begin.
At $30k, the market is just too chuck full of alternate choices that either save money or offer something the VW Golf doesn't - mass-market appeal in the US.
A hot-body Jetta would have been a better sale in the US, since Jettas outsell Golfs here like 4 to 1, if not more.
Another thing to consider is the Golf V will be here about a year after the R32 debuts. The V is supposed to have this same drivetrain configuration as the R32 available.
I'm on a waiting list for the R32, my $1k deposit is fully refundable so if I don't decide I want one...
The one car on your list of comparables that I'm really interested in is the Mercedes C230k except in the sedan version - Mercedes just came out with the Kompressor engine in the C sedan with a 6 speed - I've driven 2 of them and I'm totally impressed - they start at $27k - it comes standard with 17" wheels and sport suspension.
They fall a sight short of the fun factor, but get a few extras in the utility category for me. My current BMW 318ti is fun, but a bit too small for me and I can't afford the 325ix Sportwagon nor the Audi A4 Avant (silly Audi forcing all Avant buyers to get quattro).
If you like the MB, you might want to watch them close as the YE approaches in October. Last year I almost bit at a C230 Hatch with a $4000 rebate. That's gotta kill resale a bit, but I want to hold my next car for 8-10 years and buy a fun second car after car #1 is paid for...maybe a convert or something.
I would love to be able to justify a R32, but anything over $25k is just not real for me, and I highly doubt that VW can bring it here at that price.
One last thing, I am still waiting (hoping to know more by YE) to find out about BMW's 1-series. If it is worth it, I might just hold onto the TI for another year and take Euro Delivery on a 1-series. Always been a dream of mine.
Just think, if BMW brings the 1-series here, it should be around the 160-170 hp range at prices in line with a Jetta and I4 Passat(high side). Rumor has them also launching an M-series with a turbo4 pressing 220+ hp. I figure that one runs the $32-35k range...out of my ballpark, but might be in yours.
Isn't window shopping fun?
I still think that Hanz and Franz might be a little more proud of their work. Anyhow, I hear the 1.8T motor is hungarian built to begin with...its a global economy.
I do know that early builds in Brazil and Mexico were nothing to brag about...guess old stereotypes die hard.
I apologize if I offended.
I don't see myself dropping a whole lot of money on a body style that will be discontinued that same year.
It's pretty sad how we'll be just getting the R32, while the Golf V's will be sold in Europe at the same time!
Doesn't that really suck?!
The only Hungarian-built car I know of from VAG that is sold in the U.S. is the Audi TT.
-Ian
My choice for a more utilitarian but still ‘sporty’ car that is missing in the US lineup is the AWD Jetta wagon. The Jetta wagon has over 1” more clearance than the Golf, and probably over 2” more than the R32 – so it is also a great option in snow country. They could sell a beefed-up turbo with 200-225hp instead of the VR6 to keep the price down and fuel consumption low. A somewhat sporty AWD wagon – if priced right, i.e., well below the A4 and Passat AWD wagons - would take tons of sales away from Subaru. As a consequence, VW/Audi could stop worrying about such models taking sales away from the A4. And follow Subaru (or the special edition Golfs) on this model: keep the options simple. E.g., make leatherette, cold package and CD standard.
I have stated this here before, I am worried about the low clearance of the A4, and thus will probably purchase a turbo Forester since the AWD Jetta Wagon is not available in the US.
By the way, Bremi, not Bosch, made the failing coil packs.
- D
still think that Hanz and Franz might be a little more proud of their work. Anyhow, I hear the 1.8T motor is hungarian built to begin with...its a global economy.
I have the same results with my GTI as gsgman. Hanz and Franz built the 1.8T in my Brazilian-origin GTI. The sticker on the window says the engine came from Germany and the transmission came from Argentina. At 40,000+ miles, I'm starting to wonder if this is going to be the first car where I don't make my money back on the 100K mile extended warranty. I suppose I'll be getting new coil packs soon but the only things the dealer's done to the car were a to replace a leaking turbo oil line and a temperature sensor at the free 20,000 mile service.
I'd consider replacing my GTI with an AWD GTI since I drive in snow all the time. I ainna gonna pay $30,000 for an AWD econobox no matter how much horsepower it has. I paid $18K and change for mine. The AWD and engine are worth another ~$4K to me. I don't want no steeenkeng leather seats since it's a cold weather car. Heated cloth, pleeeze. I also wonder if my 15" steel wheels with high tech snow tires will fit with those big brakes.
I may wait for the Golf V version of the R32 as the V is supposed to have significant improvements over the current IV platform. I'm very much on the fence as far as the R32 goes.
$1,500 is all you should be paying extra for that US AWD Golf or Jetta. Unfortunately, despite of all my success in forecasting the US and European minivan and SUV crazes, VW/Audi still has not made any attempts to hire me as a US future sentiment consultant.
I guess the corporate hierarchy still prevents real -time marketing progress.
Later,
- D
There are not very many cars out there that sell for under $30,000 that offer what this R32 "supposedly" will offer. Like 240 HP (for some reason I remember it being 231 HP, but that's just me), Climate control, Xenon head lamps and sport tuned suspension along with the great looking 18 inch rims...
And if you do compare a subaru to an R32, well they're two totally different cars.
No matter, I'm waiting for the Mk V Golf or Audi A3 (rumored to be coming to the U.S.). The Mk V is not that far off - a little over a year away for a significantly improved platform. I have an 02 turbo GTI that will do me until then.
Atlanta has several VW dealers but the largest (and closest to my home/work until last month) is Jim Ellis. Their service capacity is not close to the need for the area. Appointment's a week in advance for an oil change, then leave the car for a day? Absurd! Dwight Harrison in Snellville was more accomodating but it's 35 miles from my house, not feasable. As VW continues to drive upmarket with great product (Touraeg, R32, Phaeton, W8) it's going to be more difficult to please the client who spends Lexus $$$ and receives economy car service.
Perhaps my experiences are isolated and I'm sure I'll look and drive the R32, but an upgrade from the dealer perspective will be a must.
Thanks for your comments! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
You have not updated the R32 site for ... the whole year. Dealers said the car would be in the showroom in a couple of months. I hope edmunds could provide more info about this car. Thanks.
Well, I'm kinda upset that VW only popped in a revamped VR6, which added less than 40HP. What about the added weight of the AWD system? A decent amount of power will have to be sacrificed to that added weight. No...???
As for the price. I'm pretty sure you will see a sticker price of at least $30K. Now ask yourself, is that really worth it for a 2 door "Golf???" I used to consider myself a VW enthusiast, now I see myself more of a VW critic.
Anyway...
What about the manufactures who went out lately to produce cars that really kick some but??? You have the Evo's and the Sti's that beat the Golf in both performance and style (at least on the outside). I don't know about you guys, but to have a car that costs a fraction of the price of a Vette/M3/Cobra/etc.. and to be able to give them a serious challenge, it's pretty frigg'n damn impressive to me!!! The R32's will have to hang with the camry's and the accord's while the bad boys roll on by : )
I dunno people, I think I would like to see the engineers of VW get off their lazy asses and produce DE made automobiles that have much more style (again, at least on the exterior) and performance (a more powerful V-6). It seems to me that many automobile manufacturers today are all out on this HP war! No..., HP does not mean an RS6 at $85K, it can mean $30K @ 300+ HP, just re-engineer your damn motors, not just simply (using the term kinda loosly) boring out your VR6's...WTF???
I guess this is just some food for thought. Maybe you guys who've placed your deposits for this car should really re-think your decission.
Don't get me totally wrong, I love the car, but only if it were introduced like 2+ years ago. I could then enjoy it's style for at least a couple of years, so I wouldn't feel so jipped/stupid knowing that I bought a car that basically was discontinued the same year in Europe.
John
My order, with deposit, is 8 months old.
There is no way a dealer will get one anytime this month, unless he gets an autoshow demo or something of that nature.
I know for a fact that dealers know at least a month in advance when a car is on the way to them, and 3 dealers here in Jacksonville, FL have nothing on their list for almost the next 2 months! They don't even have a clue as to the pricing of the vehicle as of yet, so what does that tell you.
Nov-Dec is much more realistic. My guess would be December. Don't expect the car any sooner : (
I was hoping for Sep 03!
Kinda makes you wonder what the asking price is going to be out here in the U.S.
I started this thread a long time ago and am no longer remotely interested in an R32. Especially now that the vastly improved Mk V Golf is out in Europe.
Anyway I bought an STi about 4 months ago and couldn't be happier with my choice.
As for the comments regarding the STI and Accord, I couldn't agree more. The STI is faster and the R32 will be rolling with the Accords....which is fine with me. An accord with a 0-60 of 6.5 secs and 4 wheel drive sounds pretty sweet.
Don't get me wrong, the EVOs and STIs are hot rides, but they are also noisy, have poor fit and finish, and are pretty spartan with regard to creature comforts.
If I want to go for a weekend ride through the box canyons of AZ, I'll take my 10sec '78 Z and blow *all* your doors off.
Cheers.
When I first heard/read about the new performance Golf I was excited. It was a brief article saying how it would have all-wheel drive and have a more powerfull engine and sportscar handling. As time went by I found out more information on this R32, this is when the dissapointment came in. The interior of the car is great:recaro seats,etc. The exterior of the car also looks great including the awesome multi-spoke wheels. The idea of the car having all-wheel drive was still appealing to me, figuring it would be like the systems on Audis. When I read about the 3.2 six cylinder engine and the power output, I was thinking what are you guys thinking.
I don't know how this car is going to compete. Sales are only going to come from people who are diehard enthusaist or people who dont mind spending 30k on an underpowered performance hatch. Unless that was VW's intentions. When I pictured this car I figured it would be 300hp or close to 300hp like the Evo or the WRX STi.I Thought the engine would be a four cylinder turbo or a six cylinder turbo like the 2.7L bi-turbo engine in the previous S4s(which id take over the R32). Think of how many more they could sell, not that I care how many people drive them. Dont companies want to compete and make money(subaru making the Sti to compete with the Evo)? Im sure many have asked the same question.
Dont get me wrong, i think the car is cool. Im sure it will handle well and is a well built car, just not worth 30 or closed to 30K. Id think of owning one if it was redisigned(the golf is due for a redesign), if the car was turbo with alot more horsepower like a performance car should have and if it was made in Germany.