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Old 08-06-2004, 09:35 PM   #1
Driver72
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Default What do you guys think about what C&D said...

about the VW R32?

In case some of you hadn't read it, they stated if the R32 was available back in 2003 when they tested the STI vs. EVO, the R32 (though slowest) might have won the comparison.
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Old 08-06-2004, 09:45 PM   #2
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the only problem with that is that the R32 was not around and that was a year ago. however...let us say that it was around i think that it still would have lost to both the evo and the sti.
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Old 08-06-2004, 09:58 PM   #3
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What do I think about it? Not much. The R32 is a very nice and competant car. Reviewers are always going back and forth between the EVO and STi so I don't see why one wouldn't pick the R32 as his "winner".

What amazes me is how some people live their lives by reviews. "X Online gave Y game 5 stars!!!" "The Z Times said that W is the hit movie of the summer!" So what? Reviews should be used as a mere baseline for you the consumer. Nothing more. They are not to be taken as gospel. I happen to own a VW and like them very much. I also did look at the R32 before I bought my STi, along with the EVO, G35, TL, and 350Z. For me, the R32 ranked pretty low on that list. That doesn't mean that I think it's a crappy car or anything. In fact, it's quite nice. To each his own!
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Old 08-06-2004, 09:59 PM   #4
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From a performance perspective, yes, the R32 is a much lesser vehicle. However the interiors on the Evo and STi are lackin compared to the R32. In addition, the R32 has a much more subdued appearance, compared to the very much flaunting Evo and STi; a big plus in the eyes of Car and Driver. If I were getting one, I'd get an STi, and I assume most of you would agree, though I don't particularly care for it's looks.
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Old 08-06-2004, 11:40 PM   #5
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Good for them. There are always going to be nicer cars introduced throughout the years. It doesn't hurt my feelings, as there was no R32 when I bought my car. Even if there was, I think it would have been crossed off my list before the EVO was.
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Old 08-06-2004, 11:42 PM   #6
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I'd pick the STi, but make no mistake...the R32 is a really nice package for the price.
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Old 08-07-2004, 12:55 AM   #7
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They also said at the end of the article that they didn't think any of the 5,000 to be brought over this year would still be available by now. I have a local dealer advertising a couple of blue R32s for $25,990.
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:09 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vet
They also said at the end of the article that they didn't think any of the 5,000 to be brought over this year would still be available by now. I have a local dealer advertising a couple of blue R32s for $25,990.
25k?

OWNED.

Heh, although now when compared with the WRX... it's a mighty nice car.
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:32 AM   #9
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Dont forget to factor in that the golf has been rated as the worst car in its class for reliablity for the past 5 years and VW is now ranked as the 2nd worst manufacturer below Kia (jd Powers and 3rd worse by Consumer reports).
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Old 08-07-2004, 11:44 AM   #10
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It is a great car. Don't be a hater.
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Old 08-07-2004, 12:43 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-WRX
It is a great car. Don't be a hater.
So then, being rated as the worst car in its class for reliability for the past 15 years means I should like it and live with it? That’s the exact same logic people use to buy them and wind up with so many problems they don’t know what to do:

These are haters, but they were former owners.. huge club of them oddly (well maybe not so odd)... If you don’t like my hating, then take it from the owners:


http://www.myvwlemon.com/
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Old 08-07-2004, 01:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-WRX
It is a great car. Don't be a hater.
So poor durability engineering or assembly are excusable in a road car? I won't buy another VW. A GREAT car has performance, looks, and reliability. It's not hating to look beneath the surface before investing in a $28 K car.

My two VW's sucked. My friend's Corrado crapped out. My brother in law WAS an avid VW guy. His 1.8T GTI was lemon-lawwed after 8 months and now he's back in a Honda - smart man.

My 94 Accord had ZERO repairs in 134,000 miles. My wife's Legacy Outback has had rear pads in four years. My WRX had zero in 17 months. My STI had a defective sensor that was instantly replaced and never caused a real problem anyhow.

Those are great cars. Or more to the point, they are typical, upper eschelon modern cars.

Last edited by Zornorph; 08-07-2004 at 01:46 PM. Reason: add content
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Old 08-07-2004, 01:56 PM   #13
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this is total joke. I sold a '95 M3 to buy my Evo. I did drive an R32 and it didn't even remotely compare to my M3... and the Evo easily tops the M3 in every performance category.

if you want near-luxury, fine, but I still don't see the R32 being the answer to that question. for $26,000 though, it would certainly be more tempting than the usual $31k+
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:00 PM   #14
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I have a friend with an R32. On a tight autocross cross, the R32 handles a lot better than a stock STi. Even though an R32 is also over 3300 pounds, I think the lowered ride makes it more suitable for sharp curves.

BTW, the leather racing seats really hug you - tons better than a stock STi or EVO seat. The interior is a lot nicer, and I would put it in a different class, combining luxury with performance. On the other hand, the STi and EVO are just pure performance vehicles.
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:00 PM   #15
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Its heavy, slow, and expensive piece of metal.
The only thing good about it is its interior. As a 'performance' oriented buyer, I don't but a car for its interor....


-Mark
www.MAPmotors.com
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallycarperson
Its heavy, slow, and expensive piece of metal.
The only thing good about it is its interior. As a 'performance' oriented buyer, I don't but a car for its interor....


-Mark
www.MAPmotors.com

agreed. Having a niceinterior is like having a hot girl friend that does not like to bone. it looks good but there is nothing to back it up.
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:38 PM   #17
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I want to know how VW made the R32 weigh 3400 lbs.

Maybe if it wasn't so heavy and FWD it would be worth it. But then it wouldn't be a VW
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Old 08-07-2004, 02:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twiSTi
I want to know how VW made the R32 weigh 3400 lbs.

Maybe if it wasn't so heavy and FWD it would be worth it. But then it wouldn't be a VW

It's FWD/AWD. Not sure how it determines when to use AWD though, but I think it goes to FWD when cruising on the freeway.
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Old 08-07-2004, 03:04 PM   #19
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i'm pretty sure that the haldex awd system it uses is 90% fwd untill it begins to slip. then power is transfered to the back. so yes, on the highway its probably fwd.

btw, i read this on teh intrawebnetter so it must be true.
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Old 08-07-2004, 04:02 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abqkid
agreed. Having a niceinterior is like having a hot girl friend that does not like to bone. it looks good but there is nothing to back it up.

Hey, I had one of those back in High School. She was absolutely fantastic looking. Modeled, and when I showed pictures of her people didn't believe that was my girlfriend.

But she didn't like to bone. If that was her only drawback I'd of stuck in there, but she also wasn't very good socially. Meaning, at a party or around a group, she was very quiet and uncomfortable.

But hey, the jealous looks I got when I was with her, and just to be able to touch the merchandise was pretty great in and of itself.
Nothing like having a trophy and get the looks of envious people all around.
But think of your analogy, if you'd be unhappy with having a hot girlfriend that doesn't like to bone, does that mean you'd be happy with a below average looking girlfriend that loves to bone? It's not ALL about the performance in the car ya know?

If only she had a better personality than my dog, it would have been sweet. But I did get a chance to taste the beef and squeeze the pillows.
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Old 08-07-2004, 04:17 PM   #21
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it all depends on what you want. overall i think the sti / evo / r32 appeal to the same group of people but for very different reasons.

the r32 is much more refined, softer and made from nicer materials then the evo / sti... however, i will bet that the r32 will have 5X the problems. it's not a slow car, it's not going to take on the world either (not will the sti / evo).

overall i think it's a good car, it's just not for everyone. vw's are funny, some run for 300k without a problem, others are lemons from the day you drive them off the lot..
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Old 08-08-2004, 10:25 AM   #22
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am i the only one who feels like the r32 is overpriced? performance wise i don't think there is any bang for your buck. (i've been through many vw's including a mkIV VR6). maybe i'm totally wrong and they are awesome at the track, but i haven't really got that feeling. good looking car though.
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Old 08-08-2004, 11:19 AM   #23
Driver72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 555ideways
am i the only one who feels like the r32 is overpriced? performance wise i don't think there is any bang for your buck. (i've been through many vw's including a mkIV VR6). maybe i'm totally wrong and they are awesome at the track, but i haven't really got that feeling. good looking car though.
Well, I'm not planning on getting one, but I don't think they are overpriced at all.
$29K for a car that runs 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and 1/4 in low 14's at 99-100mph
All wheel drive, 6 speed, 18's, V6 engine with (I believe) true dual exhaust and loaded to the tilt with amenities.
That's not too bad.

Sure the EVO is faster, but has no amenities and is priced the same or higher.
Sure the STI is faster, but only has a fraction of the R32's amenities and is priced $3K higher.

A Mazda RX-8 is slower, doesn't have AWD and it's priced higher too.
A 350Z in base form is priced about the same, is only a bit faster, but doesn't have all the R32's amenities and AWD.

True, some VW's have had problems, but I have to say 90% of those have been the Jetta and New Beetle. No coincidence those are the two built in Mexico. I mean come on!

VW really needs to dump the plant in Mexico and then increase they're quality control in their Brazilian plant. But most of the German made cars have been faultless. The Golf is still one of the world's best selling cars.

In any case, I don't think too many people are cross shopping the STi/Evo with the R32.
STI/EVO buyers want raw performance and care little about anything else. Same with SRT-4 buyers (they just don't have as much money).

R32 buyers will want a good performing car, but with nicer features.
I'd say Legacy GT buyers would be more apt to cross shop the R32.
They both offer similiar performance, similiar amenities, and have a similiar price. It would just come down to whether you want 4 doors or the versatility and cargo space of a wagon or a hatchback.

For the lack of refinement and amenities alone, I eliminated the STI and especially the EVO from the get go. Even though I'd love to have their performance. I just want more out of a car than they offer.

The Legacy GT is the way to go for me. But if the R32 was based on VW's new platform that's out in Europe now, it might have been a whole lot closer of a decision. But from what I hear, the car will then be the R36 with 280+ hp from a 3.6 liter version of their VR6.
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Old 08-08-2004, 11:36 AM   #24
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What amenities are you talking about??

Comparing the R32 with an 05' STi, it only has alot more leather. If you ask me, I like the 05' STi's interior better than the R32....


-Mark
www.MAPmotors.com
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Old 08-08-2004, 11:54 AM   #25
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And remember.......to get maximum acceleration on the R32 Road & Track had to do a 7000 RPM clutch dump. If that isn't enough to scare you away, I don't know what is.
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