How much would you pay for a Mk V R32?

[whichonetoget]

I am tossing up between one of these or a Mk VI GTI.

I have found an MY07 in decent condition with very low kms and it drives superbly. The R32 while quick, feels heavier than the GTI and power delivery is more linear and doesn't feel like you are going 'fast', even when you are! However, that exhaust note.... omg!

I have driven both Mk V and VI GTIs and both feel quite nimble and quick. The VI sounds better and is overall a better looking car inside and out.

I don't want to spend more than $45k for a GTI with a few toys and the lower the better. I am starting to lean towards a GTI, due to the ease of extracting power from the 2.0T engine, but they just don't command the same prestige as the .:R32.

[jb747]

I guess this is one that only you can answer. I've driven the GTI and the R, and own an R32. I simply don't like the non linear delivery of the turbo engines, even though they may ultimately offer more than the normally aspirated R32.

[noone]

i would think a MkVI is a smarter investment and probably a better car all round, but I have to agree the R32 is a lovely toy with a great noise (once deflapped).

The power difference between a chipped / lightly modded R32 and new GTI with a chip would be substancial, I cant comment on the handling...

I'm yet to see someone flogging a new GTI around the same way you see the 32's being enjoyed, so you would have to accept that many fellow GTI owners think the car is a nice daily drive and not much more...

[MariusGT]

mmm... i chose my GT TSI over a GTI/GT TDI only because the power delivery was more linear.

can't comment on the R32 - N/A and all reports would indicate VERY linear power delivery.
having said that a friend of mine who test drove with me bought a GTI because he preferred the "thrill" of the GTI....

if petrol economy is a factor then obviously the R32 will loose.

it's a personal choice. you'll be buying a sweet car either way. enjoy the indecision! and perhaps try an excel spreadsheet with all pros and cons laid out? (seriously, a guy i know did this when buying a car recently)

[bazzle]

Just drive each one again and buy the one that makes you look GOOD in

Bazzle

[Sqeaky]

I was recently in the same position.

I had a Mk5 GTI for 4 years before changing over to a Passat R36. I found myself needing another car and wife wanted a golf again so I had to decide between new GTI, R32 or even new R. I wasn’t really budget constrained so I took a serious look at them all.

The power delivery in the R didn’t really appeal but the AWD did although I couldn’t wait the delivery time anyway so it came down to the Mk6 GTI or Mk5 R32.

It is worth noting that future power upgrades were not on my radar (want a faster car then buy one is my theory) and fuel economy isn’t a big concern.

I found that by the time I put a few options on the GTI that were standard on the R32 it changed the price equation a bit. I find the Mk6 interior is more updated but the external just lacks something when compared to the Mk5 (I know this is personal preference). Updating the stereo goes a long way toward updating the interior.

So what’s in my garage….well we .:R now a family of R32 & R36. Wife is happy.

Oh, and if I had to pick just one car from the bunch? Sorry but it’s the R36 by some margin.

[jb747]

Oh, and if I had to pick just one car from the bunch? Sorry but it’s the R36 by some margin.

Both variants seem to be picking up in numbers in my area. Biggest problem I had with the R36 was that when I had a look at one, I was told that my choice of interior colour was black or black, and unfortunately, black is a total deal breaker for me. I hope that's changed, although the saleman who gave me a drive of the R a couple of weeks ago thought that the black disease had spread to it too.

[thezoneR32]

I've driven them all. R, R36, gti, R32. None of them can tick all the boxes like the R32. R - tbo lag and cheap interior, feels like a toy car. Gti -tbo lag and fwd, R36 - awesome grunt and sound but crap handling compared to R32 - great sound, good linear grunt, good handling. All my opinion of course. I rekon take each one for an hour on freeways, twisty hills roads bumpy city roads. It will be obvious which one matches with your personal style.

[whichonetoget]

I keep on flip flopping, but now I'm back on the R32 bandwagon!

No one wants to give me an idea of what I should be paying???

[hoffie82]

I keep on flip flopping, but now I'm back on the R32 bandwagon!

No one wants to give me an idea of what I should be paying???

Depends on which year model you want?

I paid $35K (back in June) for a fully optioned 5dr DSG MY07 with 57Ks on the clock. All though ideally i would have preferred less Km's, at that price, i couldnt say no!

I think a well optioned R32 with under 50Kms for anywhere under $40,000 is a good buy!

Great car by the way!! and i did test the MKV GTI a few times prior to making my decision. The R32 is just such a refined car!. I havent driven a MKVI Gti so cant compare but as people have said, the GTI's in general are just EVERYWHERE! I prefer to stand out with something a bit different thus my decision to go with the R32. Fantastic all round..... and you will NEVER get sick of that exhaust note!!!

[Greg Roles]

I reckon the R32 is the pick of the bunch, but with fuel economy near my prior BA GT Ford, well, you'd want a company fuel card!!

[whichonetoget]

Yeah, the sound of the VR6 cannot be beat. I'm also trying to hunt down a 3dr R32 as there are very rare where I am.

How hard are they to extract power out of??

If it were not for the R32 having 4motion, I'd probably go for a Mk VI GTI though - great all round value and looks great.

Depends on which year model you want?

I paid $35K (back in June) for a fully optioned 5dr DSG MY07 with 57Ks on the clock. All though ideally i would have preferred less Km's, at that price, i couldnt say no!

I think a well optioned R32 with under 50Kms for anywhere under $40,000 is a good buy!

Great car by the way!! and i did test the MKV GTI a few times prior to making my decision. The R32 is just such a refined car!. I havent driven a MKVI Gti so cant compare but as people have said, the GTI's in general are just EVERYWHERE! I prefer to stand out with something a bit different thus my decision to go with the R32. Fantastic all round..... and you will NEVER get sick of that exhaust note!!!