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.

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… =)

Everyone will take away something different from the driving experience the same way people critique films. Some like them, some don’t.

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.

If you have the money and are so picky, go for a Golf Rallye. It is rare, but you get your money’s worth.

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.

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!

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.