Golf R32 - Opinions?

SuprSi

Just wondering what people's opinions of the Golf R32 are? 4WD, 250bhp, 3.2 V6 engine - about as good looking as a Golf can be. Anyone own one?

For those of you unfamiliar with it;

http://www.desktopmachine.com/framepic.php?id=4736&size=1024

drdre

SuprSi wrote: »

Just wondering what people's opinions of the Golf R32 are? 4WD, 250bhp, 3.2 V6 engine - about as good looking as a Golf can be. Anyone own one?

For those of you unfamiliar with it;

http://www.desktopmachine.com/framepic.php?id=4736&size=1024

Seriously dont think it is worth the money, I have a GTI an have driven the R32.Its a petrol guzzler and with the new tax changes its going to be expensive to run.
Seriously if you want that power just get a GTI and get it re mapped for approx 500 and you will get close to an R32.I wouldnt spend an extra 10k for afew more bhp.

RobAMerc

drdre wrote: »

wouldnt spend an extra 10k for afew more bhp.

You also get 4*4 - which should be well worth the extra few bob, particularly in wet Ireland.

To be fair I have read a few reviews that state the GTi is so good it makes the R32 fairly pointless.

drdre

RobAMerc wrote: »

You also get 4*4 - which should be well worth the extra few bob, particularly in wet Ireland.

To be fair I have read a few reviews that state the GTi is so good it makes the R32 fairly pointless.

I know what you mean by the 4x4 , But 10k :rolleyes: ,Why not go for something different as i would never ever pay around 45-50k for a plain old golf.The main thing is the engine other wise its really a basic golf with afew changes like exhaust etc.

whippet

like drdre I own a GTI and have driven a R32 and couldn't justify the extra loot to buy it.

drdre

whippet wrote: »

like drdre I own a GTI and have driven a R32 and couldn't justify the extra loot to buy it.

Thanks for backing me

lightening

GTi owner here. I couldn't justify it, but that could be just my budget. 4 wheel drive might be a clincher! Great looks as well...

Just depends how rich you are I guess!

drdre

lightening wrote: »

GTi owner here. I couldn't justify it, but that could be just my budget. 4 wheel drive might be a clincher! Great looks as well...

Just depends how rich you are I guess!

It does really depend on money but seriously couldnt justify spending 50k on a R32, Id prefer 50k on a new 3 series.

craichoe

http://www.autospies.com/news/Video-Audi-S3-vs-Golf-R32-Which-is-Faster-10286/


Ohhh Yeahhhhhhhhh

JoeA3

the new tax and VRT rates will kill it as a new purchase in this country. I think it falls into the 2k per annum road tax :eek:
But if you can get a slightly used one, you won't have that problem!

drdre

craichoe wrote: »

http://www.autospies.com/news/Video-Audi-S3-vs-Golf-R32-Which-is-Faster-10286/


Ohhh Yeahhhhhhhhh

I really like the S3, It has to be in white with some carbon fibre extras

JHMEG

drdre wrote: »

with the new tax changes its going to be expensive to run.

It will not be any different if the OP gets one before July 08. Not that they're cheap to tax anyway, as they're in the highest band on the old (current) system.

I'd prefer to spend 50k on a DC5 (quicker than an R32 and way better looking) + a sun holiday + plasma TV + Blu ray surround system + a new laptop + PS3 + ...

drdre

JHMEG wrote: »

It will not be any different if the OP gets one before July 08. Not that they're cheap to tax anyway, as they're in the highest band on the old (current) system.

I'd prefer to spend 50k on a DC5 (quicker than an R32 and way better looking) + a sun holiday + plasma TV + Blu ray surround system + a new laptop + PS3 + ...

Yep the list can go endless but a new DC5 is about 45k as well.

21stone

bucket of ****

all that power and only in rear

what a waste

drdre

21stone wrote: »

bucket of ****

all that power and only in rear

what a waste

Now thats a bit extreme,Have you ever driven one.I can bet you havnt as you would never say this.

E92

Could someone take me out of the dark and tell me what a DC5 is? I assume since JHMEG came up with the idea that it is some sort of Honda and would I be right in saying it's some sort of a 'teg?

drdre

E92 wrote: »

Could someone take me out of the dark and tell me what a DC5 is? I assume since JHMEG came up with the idea that it is some sort of Honda and would I be right in saying it's some sort of a 'teg?

Honda Integra

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=755918

Fabritzo

I'd consider the R32 to be a different car to the GTI, v6 non-turbo 4 wheel drive, smooth dsg/auto gearbox?

bennyx_o

If you can afford it, and like it, go for it. IMO, it's alot different than a Golf GTI and slightly less common

JHMEG

JHMEG wrote: »

It will not be any different if the OP gets one before July 08. Not that they're cheap to tax anyway, as they're in the highest band on the old (current) system.

I'd prefer to spend 50k on a DC5 (quicker than an R32 and way better looking) + a sun holiday + plasma TV + Blu ray surround system + a new laptop + PS3 + ...

They are totally different cars, its like comparing apples with oranges.
A FWD coupe with no torque versus an expensive 4wd V6.

They will both drive totally differently.

galwaytt

there was one in the traffic ahead of me last .....friday ?..........and it might as well have been a 1.4. Only the two pipes got my attention, and I knew what it was, but really, for that money, a car should shout from the tree-tops.

As others have said. -the tax alone, not to mind it now being in the 36% VRT bracket makes it a dead duck.

drdre

galwaytt wrote: »

there was one in the traffic ahead of me last .....friday ?..........and it might as well have been a 1.4. Only the two pipes got my attention, and I knew what it was, but really, for that money, a car should shout from the tree-tops.

As others have said. -the tax alone, not to mind it now being in the 36% VRT bracket makes it a dead duck.

Yeah its really like a basic Golf from far away. It should really be eye catching for that kind of price like the new 650bhp golf.

lightening

Some people prefer a bit more subtlety in a performance car. A business owner visiting a client say, last thing you want is the client saying I'm paying this fella to much!

drdre

lightening wrote: »

Some people prefer a bit more subtlety in a performance car. A business owner visiting a client say, last thing you want is the client saying I'm paying this fella to much!

That happens in a Ferrari or Lambo,The client says "Wow im paying this guy too much"

SuprSi

lightening wrote: »

Some people prefer a bit more subtlety in a performance car. A business owner visiting a client say, last thing you want is the client saying I'm paying this fella to much!

This is why I really like it. It's sportier looking than the GTI, which I also really like, but not too sporty that it looks like an Impreza. €2k a year in tax is pretty hefty though :eek:

ArphaRima

50K will get you a new 2.0T Audi TT. 200bhp FWD though.

Its in the 28% VRT band too from July.
Maximum speed in km/h
240 (governed)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h in sec
6.6
Fuel consumption: urban/extra urban/overall, l/100 km
10.7 / 6.0 / 7.7
CO2 mass emission, g/100 km
183

JHMEG

ronoc wrote: »

They are totally different cars, its like comparing apples with oranges.
A FWD coupe with no torque versus an expensive 4wd V6.

They will both drive totally differently.

They are totally different, and I'm not comparing them.. I would take the DC5 any day as it's a drivers car, and is quicker on the track. Don't forget the R32 has that heavy V6 dragging the nose around.

Andrewf20

I reckon depreciation on this model would be more severe than a GTI if thinking of buying new. It may have more power, but its a good deal heavier than the GTI.

tossy

Vw slipped up with the new MK5 R seriously slipped up,the MK4 R was a special car inside and out no chance of mistaking it for anything else,the MK5 looks too standard,although mechanicaly the MK5 is a far superior car esp in the drive and handling.

Alot to be said for it,not just 4wd but 4motion if you have ever driven a 4motion based car in the wet you will know the super confidence it givesyou in the handling of the car,then there is the V6 sound and probably one of the nicest OEM exhaust notes ever.

High running costs are a bitch though,if i was buying an R32 id buy a MK4 but then i was buying a MK4 R32 i would opt for the MK1 S3 still has the motion but with a turbo and will remap to 280 ish easily,oh and its only a 2.0lt!

fletch

tossy wrote: »

i would opt for the MK1 S3 still has the motion but with a turbo and will remap to 280 ish easily,oh and its only a 2.0lt!

1.8T I'm sure you mean?

JHMEG

Remaps are great

bazz26

Not really fair comparing the GTi with the R32. They may share similar underpinings, body panels, etc but that is where the similarities end. The GTi is a highly tuned hot hatch whereas the R32 is a heavier V6 grand tourer.

tossy

fletch wrote: »

1.8T I'm sure you mean?

i did indeed mean 1.8T sorry i was getting my S3's mixed up! i can't believe i made that mistake im so embarrassed :eek:

cheers fletch.

TheBazman

As someone else said if you can afford it go for it. I must say its one of the motors on my possible list. The reasons I would go for it are - Its discreet, powerful, can get it with 4 doors so practical, and the sound..absolutely fantastic. Of course its not massively faster than a GTI but I do think its a different animal.

The cons would be fuel efficiency and its expensive to tax it, even if you get in before the new regime

Of course if fuel efficiency is an issue you could just go for this....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=861324

why, why, why??

fletch

tossy wrote: »

i did indeed mean 1.8T sorry i was getting my S3's mixed up! i can't believe i made that mistake im so embarrassed :eek:

cheers fletch.

You're forgiven

SuprSi

Well can I ask what people think of the current S3 then? Much smaller engine, though slightly more horses, quattro, turbo, etc, etc. It would be around the same cost as the R32.

freq modulated

SuprSi wrote: »

Well can I ask what people think of the current S3 then? Much smaller engine, though slightly more horses, quattro, turbo, etc, etc. It would be around the same cost as the R32.

WOW...."Petrolheads" talked you out of a 3.2 v6. I thought i was in a motoring section??

Have you driven an r32? Go drive it. Nothing they have thrown at you will compare to NA 3.2 v6 sound and drive!

E92

The R32 has the best sounding V6 I've ever heard, better even than a straight 6 BMW(not an M one of course!). You can tune a 4 cylinder engine to the hilt but it will never sound as good as a 6 pot.

C_Breeze

Exactly what the two posters above me said


And the whole DC5 argument is stupid ... its like saying id rather get an Ariel Atom as it is a better drivers cars

Although i dont deny that the DC5 may be a fantsatic drivers car - It just screams i remortgaged my gaff in finglas so i can afford this .... the R32 is more young subtle and successfull business man in a good job type of car

MarkN

SuprSi wrote: »

Well can I ask what people think of the current S3 then? Much smaller engine, though slightly more horses, quattro, turbo, etc, etc. It would be around the same cost as the R32.

Owned a MII S3 earlier this year.

Great poke, handles like on rails, stops very well, rare as fook - a lot rarer than the R.

The only thing an R32 has over it is a V6 noise, S3 has more horses, cheaper to run, cheaper to tax and you can get Sprint Blue.

Agreed about the noise of the R over a BM straight 6 but I can assure you, a 335 on full chat sounds pretty special too :cool:

chump

saw one of these today.
impressive looking and got my attention

i'd agree with this quote

Although i dont deny that the DC5 may be a fantsatic drivers car - It just screams i remortgaged my gaff in finglas so i can afford this .... the R32 is more young subtle and successfull business man in a good job type of car

groupb

drdre wrote: »

Honda Integra

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=755918

I don't care if its a ferrari underneath , it looks like a boy racers wet dream.
To get back to the OP , at 35k (ish) the GTI looks bang on the money , but 40 something looks very expensive for a small non premium car.