R32: The impressions of a used car buyer
April 30, 2006 – 9:02 am by Tim Mixell
Filed under Volkswagen R32
3.2 Liter VR6… 4-Motion all wheel drive… 6 speed manual tranny… 240hp…
The R32.
I have been eyeing the R32 since they hit the streets back in ‘04. Unfortunately for those of us without an abundance of cash lying around, the $30k sticker price leaves us drooling as we watch lucky owners pass us on the interstate.
Its now 2006, and the 1-year-run R32 has been on the streets for 2 years now. I thought it might be time to upgrade my GTI 1.8T for some new hotness. Alas, my dreams have been dashed… I have never seen a normal production car hold its value so well. In some cases, dealers are actually trying to sell the car for MORE than what it was new. I went to several dealers, and the CHEAPEST I could find my dream car was $27 grand. And thats with 60k miles on it… Yeah right. I know what youre saying to yourself… “Check out e-bay motors, Timmau!” The only problem with that is, I’m terribly lazy.
Even so, I still used it as an opportunity to go to some dealers and take several R32s for a spin. The most important thing I can say about the R32 is that it is concentrated hotness. It is a Golf, but at the same time it is SO much more. When you sit in the R32, the Recaro seats hug you like you were their long-lost family member… And when you’re taking 90-degree turns at exceptional speeds, you will feel like you are part of the car. Turning the ignition and firing up the car rewards the driver with a throaty exhaust.. Reving it turns that low-range growl into a mid-range pur as you bring it to normal RPMs. The R32 feels good on the highway and in stop-and go traffic… but the real fun is when you get to hit some windy roads. There is little to no body lean in turns, and the 4-motion pulls you along with no tire-squeal in tight turns.
Acceleration in the R32 is good. It could be that I’m used to having to wind out the 1.8T to get that pin-you-in-your seat acceleration, but I could not for the life of me do the same in the R32… Acceleration is much more smooth across the entire range of RPM. Any review you read though, will tell you the R32 is not suited to take a WRX or a Mitsu-Evo off the line.
To sum up my impressions of the R32: is it worth it? Brand new this car is easily worth the 30k sticker price, but after two years on the road, average depreciation is something on the order of 20% or so…. I would not pay 30k for a two-year old car. Besides, the next-gen R-series Golf is due out later this year.
Time to start saving those pennies ;)
R32: The impressions of a used car buyer
April 30, 2006 – 9:02 am by Tim Mixell
Ehh… depreciation. It sucks. :D Go for it anyway!!!! hahah But yeah, I think waiting for the next gen would prolly be a good call.
I’m dying to get one too. I’ve been watching the prices since December ‘05 and they’ve gone down quite a bit. I would never buy from a dealer though, craigslist all the way.
> Acceleration in the R32 is good.
Good? That’s all you got? Seeing as how it’s the fastest veedub available to the masses, good is a slight understatement ;)
> I would not pay 30k for a two-year old car.
Just look at how well Westfalia’s hold their value, especially a Syncro Westy. Consider the R32 and investment.
Good points, Justin. 30k is still too rich for my blood, though ;)
I have a 2001 GTI VR6 and have been eyeing the R32s as well. I personally dislike the MKV styling and will either continue to upgrade and mod my VR6 or go for the R32. What do you think? Is it worth the investment? How reliable have they been? I’m reluctant to let go of my VR6 because it has been fairly reliable (I had a 99 Beetle that went through 5 radiators, 3 compressors, 3 catalytic converters, 4 radios, 3 driver’s window regulators, 4 passenger regulators, etc, etc.) I just can’t think of owning any car other than a VW although I’ve been branded a nutcase by my friends and family!
I owned a ‘00 gti vr6 and was quite a fan even though the interior had a nasty habbit of falling to pieces. i revenerated my love for these wonderful litte crout burnners buy purchasing the R32. “Boioioioioing”, this car is truely choice. if you have the means i highly suggest picking one up.
ebay moters: $23,033
milage: 28,000
From a friend of mone:
…in case you know of someone who’s looking:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?&default_sort=priceDESC&dealer_id=59418017&end_year=2007&make2=&address=30066&start_year=1981&fuel=&keywordsrep=&certified=&car_id=216491857&search_type=both&max_mileage=&body_code=0&drive=&min_price=&engine=&distance=25&transmission=&make=VOLKS&keywordsfyc=&sort_type=priceDESC&num_records=25&ref=srl&ref=srl&car_year=2004&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=0&max_price=&advanced=&model=R32&color=&ref=srl#vdptop
I purchased my R32 in April of 2004, still under 20,000 miles… it works great… Seeing that a newer one was coming out, I went to the dealer to see what they would offer…. $26,000 offered and I was surprised… but I like the Mark IV appearence and manuel shifting much more than the Mark V look and DSG. DSG is cool, but not my preference. Plus take into account if your going to mod your car. I’ve been saving the last two years and upgraded the exhaust to a non-res Milltek, Bilstein Pss suspension and turbo… another 9 grand… its a beast now… even if u don’t go FI, modding this car is expensive… just a thought… go online and search for a reseller… thats money in the bank… avoid the dealer… look for middle age seller in their 50’s usually the car is still stock and in good shape… vwvortex.vom
I purchased a 1990 BMW 325IS (E30) as a daily driver after making my once daily driver 91 MK2 GTI 8V my dedicated auto-x car. The BMW was a blast but I needed something more refined. I considered the new MK IV and V GTIs and just was not satisfied. After 6 months of searching, I sold the BMW and picked up an R32. I paid $25K (+ tax, tag, and title) for it. It has only 16K miles, was a one owner car, came with the remainder of the factory warranty plus it was VW certified so it also has an additional 2 yr/24K warranty. I would suggest you look a little harder as it has been hard to wipe the smirk off of my face while driving.
I purchased my R32 brand new in 2004. I can say that I have owned a GTI and this car blows it away. The first time i drove it I was hooked. The acceleration and tightness of this car is amazing. I have had it for the last 4 years and it drives and sounds better than the day I bought it. The exhaust is throaty and the sound system is kick ass. I drove the 2008 R32 and it is nothing like the 2004. Its body style looked to much like the GTI. I suggest that if you are looking for a the hottest VW around get your hands on a 2004 R32 and you will love even driving to the super market! i drove it through the highlands in N.C. and it hugged the road! It took corners so well that i had to go faster and faster. i drove my friends 911 and the shifting sucked compared to my R32…..and that is no b.s.
ok ive wanted the r32 since it came out in 2004. ive been saving up my pennies and its not 2009, and im coming to a dilemma. is the maintenance going to be expensive since its 1. a vw 2. its 6 yrs old now. I want to buy the car but is it worth buying?
Hey Kevin… Honestly if you like the MK V body styling, you might find a better deal than trying to hunt down a used ‘04. I’ve driven both, and I can say the DSG on the MK V R32 is awesome. Constant pull and a real sweet exhaust note. With the economy as it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is still one on a lot somewhere.
Having said that, the VR6 is a very reliable engine. Fellow Volksblogger Dan has a MK IV GTI with the smaller VR6 and the thing still runs like a top. If you go the route of used, just make sure that the seller has followed the regular maintenance schedule, and you should be good to go :D
ok thank you. I would go for the mkv but i just dont like the dsg haha. i mean i dont think its bad i think its amazing. but the mkiv body styling is what i liked about the r32 in the first place. i worked at a vw dealership like 2 years ago and i saw alot of vw’s come in alot for maintenance problems and i just hope that the r32 isnt like that.
oh and whats a good mileage for a used mkiv? ive been looking for the 50k and lower range.
50k sounds pretty ambitious… After 6 years, that would be one pampered R32 ;] I’m not sure how fruitful your searching will be at that kind of mileage. I’m sure they’ll be priced a bit more reasonably at this point in the game than when I was originally looking for them.
In any case, good luck with the hunt!
haha i have actually found some in the 30> range too. its what i do in my free time. so the engine should still be good even after 50k?