Snatched! VW R32s selling quickly before hitting dealerships
The last R32 was a favorite of tuners and VW enthusiasts alike, and from the looks of the early orders, the 2008 MK V R32 is going to be in hot demand. The kind folks over at Volkswagen gave current GTI and R32 owners first dibs at the 2008 model, and the VW loyalists didn't disappoint. Of the 5,000 R32s destined for the US, nearly 1,000 have already been spoken for.
The 2008 R32 will retain its 3.2l engine with 250hp, and 4Motion permanent AWD will be standard. The starting price of the hot hatch will be a breath-taking $32,990, putting it in 3-Series territory, but we don't think this will be much of an obstacle for those who covet the R32. After seeing the souped-up Golf in person in Chicago, it's difficult to foresee the R32s hanging out on dealer lots for long. The R32 roles out in the fall.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
srivendel 9:04AM (6/21/2007)
Nice car. It makes the base GTI look like a screaming bargain by comparison, but I can see why someone would choose this. 250hp, AWD, VW interior, cool European looks. I get it. But doesn't rumor have it that VW has an R36 Golf waiting in the wings, with something like 300hp? That would make this $33k pill tough to swallow.
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Don 5:32PM (6/21/2007)
Not enough power to properly go up against the STi or Evo, too heavy from the 4WD system, and too pricey.
YourNameHere 9:22AM (6/21/2007)
last thing i heard about the R36 was they couldnt get the 3.6l into the engine bay very nicely. i would have liked to see a bump to 275ish...i own a 07 GTI and for 500 bucks i can get a CPU reflash and have 260hp. But the .:R does have the beautiful sound of the VR6...itself almost worth the price hike
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Jesse 5:07PM (6/21/2007)
Where does that extra 60 HP kick in? Cause 60HP at 8K does me no good at all. And where can I get this new chip reflash?
Steve 9:22AM (6/21/2007)
While its nice and all I just don’t understand the demand for R32’s. They cost the same or more than an Evo or STI yet are slower and I’d guess don’t handle as well. If you can live without the AWD the MS3 has more power and is 10k cheaper.
They have amazing resale value so if you do get one at least you won’t loose much when you sell it.
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YourNameHere 9:23AM (6/21/2007)
agreed! you will have a hard time finding a used .:R for less then 25K
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BGDC 9:29AM (6/21/2007)
Seems like the price is 4-5k too high for what you get.
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blueguydotcom 9:31AM (6/21/2007)
Also, you can get a 335i via European Delivery for about 36k.
And finally, why no 4 door version? They get it in europe!
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Ligor 9:36AM (6/21/2007)
for the price I'd turn my tail adn go to the EVO/STi, but I can see how 5000 of these would not be very hard to sell to VW followers.
I'd say no thanks
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JayP 9:43AM (6/21/2007)
Evo vs STi vs R32- they may have more power but the VW has a terrific interior and that VR6 engine is pure sex.
If you ever have the chance to drive an R32, do it.
Used R32s are priced at $29k in hoglots around here, probably selling for $25k.
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Nellydesign 9:43AM (6/21/2007)
Considering the GTI is lighter and just as quick, I'd say... ummm... why bother.
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Roman 9:59AM (6/21/2007)
Because some people really don't want FWD. At least 4 motion is a little bit of a step up from that. The backwheels at least do something when required.
And that engine is brilliant.
But every car in the US is cheaper than their european versions, but this car seems to be just as expensive! That's mental. Pay a little more and get an Evo.
Don 5:33PM (6/21/2007)
Agreed. I'll stick with the standard GTI.
Adam 10:27AM (6/21/2007)
Also, IMO, Haldex based AWD, as this is is nothing to exciting. This car is still FWD biases with the ability to shift up to 50% of the power to the rear, unlike a true "full-time" system on say and Evo, WRX, or A/S/RS4. For that kind of money, there are ALOT of ver appealing cars and alot of comparable cars for less money.
In referenece to a previous post, can you really get a 335i for a $36k? If so, that is a hell of a bargain, but I find it hard to believe.
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Mike 10:07AM (6/21/2007)
R32???? Meh...
WHERE IS THE R36 PASSAT and ESTATE (WAGON)?!?!?!?
Probably never to arrive, Audi doesn't wanna $h1t where they eat...the S4 and S4 Avant are selling too well in the USA...
;-(
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Dude 4:23PM (6/21/2007)
Seriously. Where are the "36"s? I thought they were going to do a Passat R36...
bob cobb 10:25AM (6/21/2007)
Great car, looks really nice, but not nearly enough power for the $$.
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ZPrime 10:43AM (6/21/2007)
Like the first poster, I'm wondering what the deal is with the R36 that we were supposedly getting instead.
I was lusting hardcore over the new R32, then mention that it might get the bigger motor and 300 hp made me less interested. Also, I am huge on the DSG, but now that the new Evo will have DSG (or something with a different name but still dual-clutch w/paddles) I am more interested in the Evo.
That said, the insurance for an R32 is MUCH cheaper than on an Evo... and I'm 26. I can't imagine what the rich 17 year olds pay on that kind of car.
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VW_MTL 9:32PM (6/21/2007)
The R36 will be Passat based and not Golf.
White Goodman 11:37AM (6/21/2007)
I wonder if people realize that a base Audi A3 3.2 S-line starts at $34k. Same engine, same drivetrain (DSG and AWD), same platform. Maybe a little bit softer on the suspension tuning but a good deal of sportiness nonetheless.
And for me, I prefer the 4 doors and the styling of the Audi, so it isn't even a contest.
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