Volkswagen last sold the R32 -- a sort of "uber-Golf" with a V6 engine and all-wheel-drive -- here in the US in 2004. "Tropical Bob" Bowden tested the R32 way back when, and his review remained one of our most popular articles for nearly two years after the R32 went off the market. Well, the R32 is back in the states for 2008, and yes, I've test driven it. I'll be posting my full test drive report tomorrow; be sure to check back, same Bat-time, same Bat-station. Meanwhile, take a gander at my R32 pictures here: 2008 Volkswagen R32 photo gallery. Thoughts on the design? Too subtle? Too Rabbit-like? Or is it just in-your-face enough? Click the "comments" link and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
I don’t care for it. Mainly it’s the Jetta-like front end. I haven’t cared for the Jetta ever since this design came out. The previous one I loved.
If it had a Honda or Toyota badge I would by it tomorrow, but I still have nightmares about the time and money I wasted trying to get a 16 valve scirrocco to reach 100k miles. Beautiful car but a miserable P.O.S. I am guessing this will be the same dealership nightmare.
Gary…my heart goes out to you. I had a couple of V-dubs and though they didn’t break down, the little stuff drove me a bit sideways…kinda reiniscent of my early seventies Triumphs/MG’s. Even so, unlike Eric, I really like the front of these cars and I will be giving the GTI a long look…the R32, what with the declining dollar and rising price of import cars and gas prices, seems to be beyond my realities.
If you buy a VW, get a good [extended] warranty. It pays for itself.
The R32 looks wayyy too ‘base-model’ for $30,000+
I’ll just buy a used Z06.
Wait! If you can afford a Z06, be patient, the Z07 is coming, if I’m not mistaken. As for me, if I had the dough, and forsook my environmental concerns, the regular Vette is just about right for me. I really don’t ever need to go that fast(z-Vettes), except in Montana and I don’t have any plans to go there soon.
I just love the R32 no matter what happened or who says what and i enjoy owning it. just buy it you will love the car.