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August 28, 2008
2008 VW R32 Driving Impressions
By Mike Musto
AKA Mr. Angry
Well, let me just preface this blog by saying most VW owners are not going to be happy with what I have to say, that being, this car was a let down. I went to the VW dealer yesterday looking to drive a GTI as a possible replacement for my recently departed BMW M5. However, when I got there, there were no GTIs to be had. But they did have a shiny new R32.
Now we’re talking! I had heard about this car, that it was a super GTI with all wheel drive, performance and most of all the DSC gear box. I gave the sales guy my license and jumped behind the wheel with my buddy John in tow. My first impression was not good. At $35k the R32 is no budget mobile, but then it was never advertised as one. Problem was, it felt like one. The center console was cheesy plastic and while the rest of the interior was nice, it wasn’t $35k nice. In fact a $20k Honda Accord felt as though it was made with better quality materials.
Anyway, we got it on the road and the first thing I noticed was the exhaust note, which I must say was delightful–a nice little whirring note that gets deeper the harder you accelerate. The VW engineers got this part right. Acceleration was ok–no real torque to speak of, but it does get off the line ok thanks to its AWD system. But it just does not feel fast. I wasn’t overly thrilled with the DSC transmission either. Now don’t get me wrong, the tranny is FANTASTIC–almost too good. Problem is that this is a performance car, which means I want to feel the shifts. The DSC is SO smooth that I was looking down at the tach to see if the transmission actually shifted when I hit the paddle.
Handling is top notch as well, it cornered great and is very nimble for a 3500+ pound car. That, combined with great brakes, make it a very surefooted ride. It’s just that the price that keeps killing me. If this car was say $25k or $30k then maybe. It’s just that the car doesn’t have the performance to back up the asking price. Sorry VW, but keep trying.
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Jon
Oct 26, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Well, the R32 is an awesome car in my book. But the price is a bit high for what the car offers as far as interior luxuries and performance. My MKV GTI has outperformed numerous R32’s with minor modifications. But as “W” stated, it gives some prestige to the R32. But all in all, if I could afford it, I would buy it.
jim
Oct 20, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I got my .:R for $29k, no-nav. Awesome car, everything I need (awd, good performance, quality interior) in a car. Don’t think a M5 will fair very well in snow… =)
GINA
Aug 29, 2008 at 6:20 am
Everyone will take away something different from the driving experience the same way people critique films. Some like them, some don’t.
MrAngry
Aug 29, 2008 at 2:47 am
It’s not about being picky, it’s about what you get for your money and what the driving experience is. For me, the driving experience was just not there. I think it’s a decent enough car, but I don’t think it’s worth 10k over what a GTI cost.
Also keep in mind that critics are just that, critics. Everyone will take away something different from the driving experience the same way people critique films. Some like them, some don’t. This car was just not my cup of tea.
As for the Golf Rallye, I will check it out – thanks.
Anonymous
Aug 28, 2008 at 7:37 pm
If you have the money and are so picky, go for a Golf Rallye. It is rare, but you get your money’s worth.
will
Aug 28, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Id have to agree i felt the same way when i drove one. Its very fast, just doesnt feel it, and i drove one with nav pushing the price up towards 37k.
kap0w
Aug 28, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I agree the price might be a little high for what you get, but at the same time, I think the need to feel the shift is a thing of the past. People bemoaned the loss of film cameras when digital got better and similarly people bemoan the loss of a true manual even when the double clutch gearbox gets the job done way more efficiently and faster. I can see the thrill of rowing your own or feeling the shift, but I certainly wouldn’t fault a car for managing to shift so well that you can’t!
W
Aug 28, 2008 at 3:30 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……
Mike,
This car is awesome. You came from having an M5 to test driving a VW. What did you expect to think about a car that costs about $90K less then what you were used to driving? If you had been driving a 2000 Honda accord and decided to go European for the FIRST time, then you would have been extremely impressed. Most true VW fanatics and reviewers have hailed this R32 / GTI as the best one since the original…(Eurotuner August 2008 cover article)
You also said that you needed to feel the “shift”, well a DSG … not DSC… gear box consists of double clutch technology. This is essentially a newer/passenger car version of sequential manual transmission which comes on the Ferrari Enzo race car. The only difference between DSG and SMT is that the DSG is meant to NOT feel the shift between gears by engaging two clutches. If you wanted to feel the shift then you set yourself up to fail with this car.
As for the pricing; it’s in a gray zone. VW didn’t want EVERYONE purchasing this car so they priced it just out of reach of the upstart college grads and just under the working professional. This provides for some prestige however makes for a difficult situation with people in your purchasing range.
Not sure that this was the best representation of what this car has to offer.