No 2009 Volkswagen R32 for the U.S.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen R32
The Volkswagen R32 has a die-hard following here in the States. Unfortunately for the sprightly hatchback's groupies, you'll have to head overseas if you want a 2009 model. Volkswagen spokesman Thomas Wegehaupt confirmed the R32's early exit out of the U.S., which means the original 5,000-unit allotment of hot hatches will be the only current-generation R32s to make it Stateside. Part of the reason for the discontinued R32 could have something to do with next year's arrival of the MK VI
The folks over at Kicking Tires say there are still 276 '08 models left in the US, so there are a few chances left to pick an R32 up. The remaining copies of the $32,995 hatch has $2,000 on the hood, too, so those last examples come at a discount. Is a 250-hp Golf with AWD worth a $31,000 entry price when the GTI is almost as fast for nearly $10,000 less? That may have something to do with the fact that we won't have an '09 R32 in the first place.
Gallery: Review: 2008 VW R32
[Source: Kicking Tires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Geeky1 3:42PM (10/28/2008)
Considering that they're not selling, and that they're fat, slower than ****, and probably every bit as unreliable as VWs have always been (which might have something to do with why they're not selling...), is this really a surprise to anyone?
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Mike J 3:47PM (10/28/2008)
I think DSG as the only choice was the biggest mistake with this current iteration.
Ethan Rom 4:02PM (10/28/2008)
If the 08's came in a manual transmission they would have sold out months ago.
catter12 4:04PM (10/28/2008)
VWs unreliable? Since when? My mk4 starts every morning, goes, and goes and goes. I know of many VWs past their life times that keep going and going and going. Yeah the DSG system may have really ruined the deal with the 08' r32, as "true drivers" want a clutch. They should have had it a free option so buyers can choose between a clutch or dsg gear box.
Besides, this doesn't come to a surprise to me. They have the 'Rocco maybe coming here, and the new mkVI GTI. VWs line up for the day year or so is pretty high quality.
zamafir 4:16PM (10/28/2008)
They're selling no slower than the MkIVs were. and no it doesnt surprise anyone, especially owners, as VW was very clear it is only a 2008 model and has been from the get go, just as they were with the MkIV. What is surprising is that anyone would post something we've known since 07 as newsworthy as kicking tires did.
montoym 1:45AM (10/29/2008)
I agree completley with zamafir, the Mk4 R32 was only a 2004 as well and the same number too. Same thing now. Why is this news?
It's just like the other special editions that VW sells, they are only 1yr typically. The 337, 20AE, GLI(prior to the MkV's, VW offered two different GLI editions for the MkIV Jetta, one in '03(1.8T) and one in '04(24v VR6)).
Chris 11:18AM (10/29/2008)
This is terrible news for the women out there who wanted that g@y transmission.
Jeff Banks 3:51PM (10/28/2008)
Yeah, for American consumers it has a lot to do with perception. 40K out the door (no way you'll ever find one around 32) is BMW territory. I imagine Audi canibalizes a lot of the sales too. In Europe for some reason VW has no problem overlapping all of their products together, but in the US, that doesn't fly. I'd rather have an Audi too.
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zamafir 4:08PM (10/28/2008)
i paid $32,400 OTD in so-cal including TT&L, as did everyone i referred to my dealer (or less if they went with non-nav). I've not met many R32 owners (i've met a few hundred at local events) who paid msrp save those who purchased when the car first hit lots. last i checked it was about a dozen out of the 140 or so owners i talked to. Maybe you’re in Alaska or somewhere with limited dealer availability. I’m within an hour and a half of 30 dealers so it’s not hard to get a good deal, and being the most valuable company on earth (at least as of this morning) vw isn’t have any issue loaning money to people.
Rizzo 1:09AM (10/29/2008)
Ha! You know nothing.Nothing I tell ya! I paid $27.8k in July for my R32 in So Calif with 0% for 60 mos.
If you need to look like everyone else, get the Audi. The R32 is low key and fun to drive
Matt 3:52PM (10/28/2008)
Wow, bias much? I think they're great cars, and it's nice to see something different now and then.
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Eddie 3:52PM (10/28/2008)
I'd much rather buy a GTI, throw on a set of 18s and get a Revo ECU tune.
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Herkimer 4:03PM (10/28/2008)
...please don't flame me for this --> it's a legitimate question:
Why would someone by this car for $32k, when a 350Z starts at $31k?
(In my opinion, this thing looks all-kinds-of-boxy vs, the Z's slick exterior...)
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Chase 4:09PM (10/28/2008)
Because the Z's slick exterior is for slick guys, slick guy.
John Johnson 4:10PM (10/28/2008)
It's got a very useable rear seat :). It's also AWD. I'd put it in a completely different class than a 350Z.
This car has been called a 'gentleman's sports car'. Having driven both, it has a much more refined interior than the Z.
But, this is more of the business-sports-car, not the college-sports-car. You can carry around clients, kids, roommates. Very versatile.
That being said - a GTI does all of this except drive the rear wheels :)
Torrent 3:53PM (10/28/2008)
We never get anything...........
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John Johnson 3:57PM (10/28/2008)
DSG killed this. The only people who are going to spend $33k on a car like this are real enthusiasts. *Most* real enthusiasts will prefer three pedals.
The real cannabalizer of sales has been used 2008 R32s. People buy them thinking they'll live with the automatic, but just can't.
My GTI, with $600 in mods, is faster than a stock R32 as well.
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jared 4:16PM (10/28/2008)
Faster around what, in what road conditions? :) Your point is well-taken, though.
I'm just happy my MkIV won't suffer more dilution next year...
Todd 8:11PM (11/18/2008)
BS. My 08 r32 will beat you with no mods. The DSG is far better than any manual could have been. Look at the comparisons of a DSG against a manual and you will see the dual clutch DSG is faster and smoother. Use the new M3 as an example.
Fooman 3:59PM (10/28/2008)
Still think you should get an A3 3.2 quattro for the same money, it is the exact same car with a way better interior.
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