Anyone have experience with an MkIV R32?

"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
11/22/2014 at 00:02 • Filed to: None

I was spending some time on Craigslist fantasizing about stretching the budget for my next car when I found some MkIV R32's for sale. I want an AWD car, and this has more appeal to me than a WRX/STI or an Evo... it has two doors and is understated compared to those two. Anyone ever drive one or own one? I'd end up shopping for one with at least 100K miles on it.

DISCUSSION (7)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Roadster Man
11/22/2014 at 00:13

Had a guy offer to sell me his for way under what it's worth, just to get it off his hands fast, because he was tired of dealing with it. It is a 21st century VW...

Übel > Roadster Man
11/22/2014 at 00:25

I don't have much experience with them, but they're a bit of a cult classic so prices tend to be a bit on the sky-high side of things, and you don't get a whole lot of performance bang for your buck.

DrJohannVegas > Roadster Man
11/22/2014 at 00:33

I own one, and have had it since new. Over 125k on it, and my only major issue was a failed Haldex pump motor. The ones which are trouble have been abused, or not maintained, or both.

Are they pricey? Yep. Rarity will do that. Are they super fast? Not really. I have run low 14s in mine, and autocrossed it, and done some fast road driving. It's a good car, but not a legend of performance.

That said, it does everything well. Good long distance "GT Hatch", plenty of storage, good in winter, fun to drive, not likely to attract a ton of attention. If you have more questions, feel free to email me, my username at gmail.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Roadster Man
11/22/2014 at 02:25

A friend of mine had one, and I drove it once. It's "quick", but not all out fast. Part of that is how short it's geared, so it feels like you're driving faster than you really are. The exhaust sounds awesome, and I am a fan of how the interior is laid out and how utilitarian it can be.
He wrecked his more times than I know, and continued to drive it hard. That's how I imagine many of those R32s have sadly ended up.

rotundapig > Roadster Man
11/22/2014 at 09:33

The main thing these have going for them, in my mind, is the noise. Those narrow angle sixes sound amazing with a good exhaust, and I think the 24 valve engines in the R32s sound way better than their 12v siblings.

Jay Lauer > Roadster Man
11/22/2014 at 11:25

I haven't driven one, but I've looked into them too. To me, it seems like an STI or Evo is a better value. Personally, I'm not a fan of Haldex systems. Subaru AWD is a million times better. And the Subaru/Mitsubishi would give more fun per dollar. The Subaru's not a bad cruiser either.

And in my opinion, if I'm going to spend a lot on a car, I don't want it to look exactly like a car that 1/4 of it's price, i.e. a normal Golf. So my recommendations an STi, which is what I'm looking for. Most Evo's older than a 10 are clapped out hard. Either way, try to find as close to stock as possible.

Roadster Man > rotundapig
11/22/2014 at 12:20

That's another one of the main attractions for me. It sounds so much better than a turbo four IMO. With just some high flow cats the car sounds like a monster.