Why Is The Volkswagen R32 So Expensive?

Kinja'd!!! "Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
09/07/2014 at 22:29 • Filed to: None

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This is actually a real question. I'd like to get some input from everybody on Oppo, because I can't figure out why the R32 is so expensive.

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The Mk4 GTI's normally go for about $4,000 to $7,000 tops, in my opinion. You're all welcome to dispute that, because I've never been legitimately interested in buying one. Also, I realize that the R32 comes with the V6 and AWD, but it's a Haldex system that its FWD biased at 90%.

As I've found, the fit & finish and quality on Mk4 Volkswagen was pretty underwhelming at best. So why is it that people will pay almost $15,000 to own one of these?

All comments are appreciated. I just want some insight on this.


DISCUSSION (46)


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:32

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Because its Fucking amazing


Kinja'd!!! promoted by the color red > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:32

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It's a high-performance, limited production variant of the GTI.


Kinja'd!!! BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:34

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The mk4 R32 is the pinnacle of the Mk4s. That's not only in the form of ability, but also in reliability and f&f. Combine that with the fact that it's the only way to get a manual, AWD VW up until the 2012 R, and the price becomes a bit clearer to understand.


Kinja'd!!! My citroen won't start > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:34

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Limited run, makes it quite rare.


Kinja'd!!! Sn210 > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:35

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supply and demand! They are kind of rare and universally loved, although we could say that about a bunch if cars. The Mk5 R32 seems to be pretty unloved which would keep demand for the Mk4 higher


Kinja'd!!! mcseanerson > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:36

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Mk4 GTI = Garbage. Mk4 R32 = Not Garbage. You do the math.

But seriously the Mk4 GTI was not really well liked but the R32 was greatly loved. Also since it had a V6 it could be turboed to go even faster + awd.


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:36

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Fan boi-ing.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:38

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doing the math and research, I have determined that it's because they are bad to the ass!


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/07/2014 at 22:38

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True, but the AWD is still not the best system, in my opinion.

I may be a car that I just don't get. I always thought the Mk4s were just not very good, but I've never driven one.


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > promoted by the color red
09/07/2014 at 22:40

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But for the same money you could have an S4 which as arguably a better car.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/460683…

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/462894…


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/07/2014 at 22:41

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but

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/462894…


Kinja'd!!! DrJohannVegas > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:42

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A friendly correction, then an answer: The way the Haldex works, the torque split (assuming both axles have full traction) is between 100/0 and 50/50. The rear driveshaft is a fixed PTO (essentially) off the front diff, then an electrohydraulic clutch at the back (which is the "center" diff) handles the engagement of the rear axle. So, it is front-wheel biased most of the time, but the number is not 90%. It varies, according to differential duty cycle.

So, why an R32? I've had mine 10 years now. I think some of the prices are a bit nutty, but given the relatively limited supply, made even more limited by a rash of idiot owners thinning the herd a bit, there are plenty of people who want the sound and torque of the VR with the additional grip. Think of it less like a GTI with more stuff and more like a 3.2 TT with a more practical body. The fit and finish on mine has been great, and any rattles are because I have taken something apart and rushed it back together. Ok, the soft touch plastics are now starting to peel, but otherwise the car is in pretty solid shape. These cars were often built well, then treated with indifference by owners. That's why so many look ratty.

So: It swallows 5 people, or 4 and luggage, or lots of boxes with the seats down. It runs low 14-second quarter-miles. It can cover hundreds of miles in a day (I have done 800+ mile drives with no real discomfort) and be a great "autobahn cruiser". With a bit of understeer, it can be a fun (and mostly competent) backroad car. It makes a great noise. For those not in the know, it's just a Golf, so it's discrete. It is (in my opinion) a great all-rounder, and although the prices are a bit steep, it's well worth the money. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to rumble off to get a burrito.


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:42

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The only good Mk4 is a TDI.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Sn210
09/07/2014 at 22:44

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The Mk4 is more desirable than the Mk5? Interesting. I'd be really curious to drive one and see what there about.


Kinja'd!!! Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:45

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I drove one on track when I was 16, it was good fun and forgiving which was good since I had barely driven at that point. I missed shifts and stalled it pulling away. It isn't savagely fast but the grip is very impressive.


Kinja'd!!! PS9 > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:45

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It's expensive for the same reason anything's expensive; Limited supply and a captive pool of buyers who don't want anything else. 'LOL $15k 10yo VAG job' all you like, every other possible alternative in the market involves some kind of compromise people who want to buy these things aren't willing to make.


Kinja'd!!! Sn210 > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:49

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according to Wikipedia, the mk5 r32 only made ten more horses but the same amount of torque. It was just as quick but weighed 88lbs more. I think they were only sold with automatics here in the us, but I might have made that up...


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > DrJohannVegas
09/07/2014 at 22:50

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Thanks a ton for not taking offense to my ignorance about the car. It really is an interesting machine, so I just want to know more about it.

Does it drive like the TT? I've driven one before, but I can't remember if it was a 1.8 or 3.2. Also, does the Haldex save you on gas mileage by being mostly FWD while highway cruising? I've had Subarus before, and the AWD always cut into mileage. Also, how would it do around a track or autocross?


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Sn210
09/07/2014 at 22:51

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True, but the auto was the DSG, which is a really good paddle transmission.


Kinja'd!!!  V8 Rustler > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 22:55

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I predict a post from Manual Douche Elitist saying that Haldex is not a fake AWD.


Kinja'd!!! STAGGERED-6 > promoted by the color red
09/07/2014 at 22:56

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I can't speak much to the mk4 because I don't own one , but I can tell you about my mk5. The r32 is much more desirable due to the limited number built for the US which was 5K in 2008. The interior imo is one of the best fitting cars I've driven in the price range. Same goes mechanically, for the most part these cars are loved but like any other car some are ruined by young bucks with poor taste. I hear the complaints all the time about the haldex, I challenge those who are skeptical of the system to throw the car around in the mountains before passing judgement. Personally I enjoy the engineering that makes the r32 unique from typical Golfs and GTIs and it's one of the few cars I've owned where I'm still smiling after all these years after each drive. I've had zero reliability issues after replacing my mech during the recall and I just turned over 80K so the reliability rumors I hear constantly are questionable in relation to my experience as well. Respect is high for in the community for those we've taken care of their cars and resisted the urge to FI over the years.


Kinja'd!!! Sn210 > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:00

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honestly, I haven't driven either so I really can't say. I definitely want one of the mk4's though. I like everything about it


Kinja'd!!! roflcopter > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:06

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My buddy has one and it's probably the only VW I've been impressed with. It's got plenty of power, he has an aftermarket Haldex controller that makes it 50/50 all the time, the finish on it is actually quite good, very few broken parts on that car and it's got north of 100k miles.

He's actually trying to sell it right now, for less than that guy is asking. Very tastefully modified but does need some small things fixed, but nothing show stopping.


Kinja'd!!! Dsscats > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:07

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Cuz it was hyped to death when it came out and they made a very small number.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Sn210
09/07/2014 at 23:15

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It really seems interesting, but I couldn't justify spending $14,500 on what it still a used Golf. But, that's just me.

My money would buy an STi, but it's all perspective.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > roflcopter
09/07/2014 at 23:16

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Where's the car at?


Kinja'd!!! roflcopter > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:45

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Northwest Florida.


Kinja'd!!! marshknute > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:48

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No it fucking wasn't. I've never been so infuriated with a car the way I was after driving my friend's Mk5 R32. There was nothing good about that gearbox.

At slow speeds (parking lots), the car literally didn't move forward because we weren't moving fast enough to engage 1st gear. In order to park, you had to floor it, or else the gearbox would simply cut the clutch in and you'd sit there revving the engine like an idiot.

At normal speeds, it was no faster than any automatic gearbox I've tested.

At fast speeds, the gearbox literally refused to acknowledge when I pulled the shift paddles. Since it was a friend's car, I decided to shortshift. The car ignored my input and revved all the way to redline. When trying to downshift, the car waits approximately 1.5 seconds after you pull the paddle and then violently downshifts.

That gearbox comprehensively ruined the car. Everything about the driving experience was compromised by the incompetent and slow responding gearbox.


Kinja'd!!! DrJohannVegas > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:51

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I'll hit your questions in order: Yes, mostly. (Weight balance is a bit different, but the chassis is the same.) Yes, in principle. Understeer, unless you do some suspension setup. "Slow in, fast out" is the order of the day. It's not a good autocross car, and on the track it is a B+. Big iron block VR6 in front of the front axle does not a racecar make.


Kinja'd!!! Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:58

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I could've bought a Mk.V R32 for 10k a few months ago. I wish I had have known that they went for that much. Not that I had the money.


Kinja'd!!! Trevor Mohr > Jay Lauer
09/07/2014 at 23:58

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The Mk5 R32 is even more expensive; they only made 5,000 of them.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/08/2014 at 00:00

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Holy hell that's cheap. If I could find one that cheap near-ish Kansas. I'd jump on it. I'm looking around for stuff to buy.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Trevor Mohr
09/08/2014 at 00:01

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The surprising thing is that they're not much more expensive than Mk4s.

I've seen Mk5s as low as $16,000 compared to $14,500 for a Mk4


Kinja'd!!! Trevor Mohr > Jay Lauer
09/08/2014 at 00:01

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They certainly hold their value. Mk4 R32's are quite rare too.


Kinja'd!!! Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jay Lauer
09/08/2014 at 00:14

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To be fair, he was just tired of putting up with it's shit and that's what he owed on it. That is why it was that cheap, he just wanted to cut his losses.


Kinja'd!!! JeffFurbs > Vicente Esteve
09/08/2014 at 07:19

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Yes! My buddy let me drive his. I've never even taken my own car that fast and that quickly. That's one torque-y son of a bitch. And the go pedal seems to goad you into pressing it down for long periods of time


Kinja'd!!! sefeing, actually bought an E46 > Jay Lauer
09/08/2014 at 07:36

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it really is. A friend if mine has a totally stock 08 R32, and I gave him a bit of crap for getting an auto, when he was coming from a 5 speed 528i. He handed me the keys and said "drive it and then say what you just said". Shut me the hell up. It's a blast. Funny too, because he's the first one to teach me to drive stick, and it was on his BMW.


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > JeffFurbs
09/08/2014 at 07:49

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The noise is simply epic as well. I want to drive one so badly!


Kinja'd!!! JeffFurbs > Vicente Esteve
09/08/2014 at 08:30

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Agreed. I drive an older rex and when you start to get high in the RPM's it almost sounds like it wants to explode. The R32 just sounds better and better. That thing is like a go cart on rails


Kinja'd!!! BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jay Lauer
09/08/2014 at 17:51

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No, it wasn't the best, but it was more than practically anyone else was doing at that time. In 2004, the WRX was still fresh and new, and the competition ranged from 160-170hp only.


Kinja'd!!! BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/08/2014 at 17:52

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That's the only S4 I've found for under 18


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/08/2014 at 17:57

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There are several,6 or 7, of similar vintage on my local CL for less than 15, a few salvaged tho, and most with about 110-140,000 miles tho. This was the only manual trans one I could find with under 100,000. But there isn't exactly a ton of R32s out there either.


Kinja'd!!! asindhidude > Jay Lauer
09/10/2014 at 04:55

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it is because

veee

arrr

six


Kinja'd!!! Ntovorni > Sn210
09/10/2014 at 09:26

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I have a Mk5. It is the DSG, which is awesome all times except traffic (it was still early in the life of DSG transmissions). I'm pretty sure it's less than 90% split, I thinkn it's closer to a 70-30 or 60-40.

The Mk5 does kinda seem to be the less popular of the two R32's (not counting the GoRfs)

I do love my car dearly though. Beyond comfortable highway cruiser, plenty of room, f&f in the Mk5 is fantastic (I'd say on par with Audi's of that year range), then when I want to turn it up, launch control, the awd, and the handling all make it immensely fun.


Kinja'd!!! Ntovorni > Jay Lauer
09/10/2014 at 09:30

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Oh, the other thing I've found really annoying with other R's, mine's entirely stock suspension wise, but riding in a friend's who's lowered, screws, bolts, connectors KNOW it, and all rattle their life away, so beware of that.

There's a surprising number of R's around my area of Connecticut. There's a registry too for MkIV's and MkV's where you might be able to find some for sale.


Kinja'd!!! samssun > Jay Lauer
10/04/2014 at 23:58

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The Golf R is the only way you can get rear wheel horsepower in your sporty-ish VW. Couple that with only making a few thousand, and you get high prices. I wish they'd make them in GTI numbers, or just merge the GTI/R into one higher volume, AWD model with the pricey upgrades in the GTI, like WRX/STI, but that's not the route VW chose. So all the Rs are expensive...it's a budget S3 without many alternatives to compete with.