Love Bitten by the R32 bug

[aristocrat]

Hi everybody, I am a newbie to the VW forum. I've been interested in a MkV GTI for a while since a friend of mine owned one and I was offered a drive of it. It was sensational - until...... To cut a long story short, I stumbled across an R32 for sale, so I rang the guy up and took it for a drive. WOW what a sensation. I must admit, acceleration is not as fiercesome as the GTI when the turbo kicked in, however, how sweet was that engine note. I really don't think R32 owners need to have a stereo - at all!! Now I'm on the hunt for an R32. I've been doing a bit of research on the redbook price, etc... as well as checking out carpoint and carsguide, etc... to see what's for sale and for what price. There seems to be quite a disparity between what the dealers or even private sellers are asking for as compared to the even retail prices of the cars in the redbook. Is it such a hot item? I was just going to ask what's a fair price to pay for a say 08 model 5 dr DSG with sunroof with the updated wheels and MFDplus with say around 10,000Km. How about an 07 DSG 5 door with 30,000Km? Are there any other places to look aside from Carsguide and Carpoint or from your local newspaper?? Does anyone know a good R32 for sale? Personally, I think the MkVI looks quite lame as opposed to the MkV, and from what I heard - VW had been losing a bit of money from manufacturing the MkV due to the high cost in materials, etc.. and MkVI is built down to a budget, and that's partially why the narrow angle V6 is no longer used. This thing about not being able to comply with emission rules I reckon is untrue. If the R36 is still being produced, how about the emission from that engine then? Or why not slap the R36 engine in the new MkVI for a change - that will certainly give the 'ol STIs and EVOs a run for their money, rather than using a 2Lt tweaked turbo as the R20T. Anyhow, enough of my babbling on. I would really appreciate if someone could give me a pointer on the prices... Thanks in advance.

[evorobin]

Paragraphs aren't optional. Agree the R32 sounds sex

[Maverick]

to a budget, and that's partially why the narrow angle V6 is no longer used. This thing about not being able to comply with emission rules I reckon is untrue. If the R36 is still being produced, how about the emission from that engine then? Or why not slap the R36 engine in the new MkVI for a change - that will certainly give the 'ol STIs and EVOs a run for their money, rather than using a 2Lt tweaked turbo as the R20T

The 3.2 is going because of emissions, it's far too expensive to get it to comply with the new Euro rules. The 3.6 won't fit into the Golf and it's a completely different engine sourced from Audi. A 2.0l turbo makes a lot more sense from both a weight, power, fuel consumption and tunability point of view.

[FJ Steve]

Paragraphs aren't optional. Agree the R32 sounds sex

Agreed. You are placing two sentences on the one line referring to two different subjects.

Dealers appear to be holding their cards close to their chests and trying to get customers to pay top $$ for the last stocks of R32s. In this period of negotiation, you are best advised to start the slog of going from dealer to dealer and playing the dealer vs dealer game. Also, remember, with limited stocks, you may not be able to play a price comparison game too well, because the limited stock will mean that your desired spec'd car may not be available.

Keep us informed as to how you are traveling. I have a friend at a Qld dealership who may or may not be able to assist (no financial gain for me).

[gerhard]

When you are on your death bed, reflecting on your life, you will remember only the joy of owning the R32 - you won't give a damn whether you paid $40k or $50k.

You WILL regret not buying one for the sake of a few bucks, though.

Just find one, buy it, and drive it. Then report back here, but do use paragraphs

[Dyldo]

Mind if i throw my hat in the ring on this one?

I am looking at changing my existing novated lease on my TDi (probably give it to the wife actually) and jump in a brand spanker R32. My experiences so far with the dealers:-
- Has been hard, obviously, in getting what i want 100%.
- I am after DPB and DSG, and that bit is easy but finding a 3door even with these requests is hard let alone the following...
- I'd love the Recaros, but have been told there are none available in Oz in the car i want
- I will probably fit another Auspack Satnav unit so the factory satnav or stereo can go hee as far as i care so its a bit easier with choice that way
- i'd like a sunroof from the factory, as aftermarket ones usually suck

to that end, I have been given 1x3 door with no recaros, or a few 5doors with the recaros and everything else on both.

I have a few questions though. Firstly, what do we all think of buying a dealer demo vehicle? Are they absolutely thrashed and killed and treated badly, or are they a good buy?

More importantly, what is going to happen with the value of the MkV R32 when the R20T comes out? I love turbos and the modding potential but i love the pipes of the R32 and that sound is Pavarotti. so will the prices go UP because of the implied rarity? Or DOWN because of the superceded model?

[sa-r32]

When you are on your death bed, reflecting on your life, you will remember only the joy of owning the R32 - you won't give a damn whether you paid $40k or $50k.

You WILL regret not buying one for the sake of a few bucks, though.

Just find one, buy it, and drive it. Then report back here, but do use paragraphs

What he said, find one, drive it, check it, buy it.

Paul

[Big Yellow]

hahah yep i got hooked from the first test drive, bought the car very soon after that after talking with FJ Steve who fully convinced me!!! Thanks mate!!!

[limmy]

this might answer your question on the R32... if you're hardcore, buy one, keep it in the garage for life. if i had the $$$ i would get a 3dr in candy white.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=27876

[Dyldo]

this might answer your question on the R32... if you're hardcore, buy one, keep it in the garage for life. if i had the $$$ i would get a 3dr in candy white.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=27876

so you're saying here that the R32, being the final 6cylinder in the Golf line-up, will end up being a cult classic and therefore accretive in value?

[Big Yellow]

so you're saying here that the R32, being the final 6cylinder in the Golf line-up, will end up being a cult classic and therefore accretive in value?

not neccesarily, it all depends on supply and demand. if heaps of people want them and theres none to be had, obviously it will drive up the value of the cars.

but i know a lot of us here didn't buy these cars thinking they will get money back from them. we bought them cos we love to drive them!!! vrooooooooooom!!

hehe

[Dyldo]

I know all the reviews on the DSG are very positive, but in real world and for a guy that loves to swap cogs by hand like me... well whats it really like and is it so awesome?

Does it beg to have the GIAC re-flash done or no?

And as for cult-classic and the R32, i reckon it is destined for it for sure, as well as the MkIV R32. Look at the emotions around the original R32 and I love it. I'd novate it if i could but most novates won't allow it for the term i want. but the sound is one of a kind.

[Big Yellow]

I know all the reviews on the DSG are very positive, but in real world and for a guy that loves to swap cogs by hand like me... well whats it really like and is it so awesome?

Does it beg to have the GIAC re-flash done or no?

And as for cult-classic and the R32, i reckon it is destined for it for sure, as well as the MkIV R32. Look at the emotions around the original R32 and I love it. I'd novate it if i could but most novates won't allow it for the term i want. but the sound is one of a kind.

mate, best thing for you to do is to go test drive one. I got dsg because it makes driving to work so much easier, even though i drive it in manual mode all the time.

edit: read that you did a private test drive, so go test drive at a dealer so you can really open it up!!

as for giac, go ask "bazzle" hehehe. he blew the doors off a stock r32 and loves it to bits! this was coming from the most anti-modding guy ever HAHAHA (just joking barry!!)

[Dyldo]

sorry for the questions guys, i put them in here cause i figured it was all adding to the OP's R32 queries and feelings which seem very similar to mine.

If work keeps going my way then i think the tractor goes to the missus and my bum goes down to a dealer. I think i have fallen in love with the R (my last honest infatuation was with a '68 Kombi camper i restored from bare metal and had a Stan Pobjoy engine) so i am loving being a 14 year old kid again.

Anyone have any thoughts on buying dealer demo? or say no altogether?

[gareth_oau]

I actually prefer the styling of the Mk4 over the Mk5 (and i also prefer the exhaust pipes too.

also, the Mk4 has those SENSATIONAL seats.

Mk4 is a bit more hardcore than a Mk5, so why not try one of those before you buy (and perhaps save a few $$$ in the process - a nice Mk4 will set you back around $26ish?)