Its not cheap. BUT its so much better than any other hatch back for this price! If you think im wrong.. go for test drive...

Seriously, I will not buy another VW. My current Jetta costs too much to maintain and it's such a nuisance because of many cost cutting decisions.

For MSRP of 32,990, I'll throw in extra 6k and get a M3, or for 32,990 I will get a STi or Evo.

lol 0-60 in 6.4sec compares that to STi or Evo; it will be a joke.

To the above poster - How can you go for a test drive if they aren't even released yet. Therefore, I think you are wrong.

Where can I get a 38,990 M3? If that's not used sign me up.

I test drove a GTI. It was cool. But a WRX is a better car for the money. The STI and Evo's will be the same against the R32. More power and better AWD system for the same money.

The R32 is overpriced. People will buy it because it's "exclusive." Let them, the STI and Evo people will leave them exclusively in the dust.

5000 being made and 1000 reserved... not really selling out... maybe if like 20000 were being made and 4000 were left then id call that selling out.

MINI Cooper S FTW!

6.4 seconds is barely faster than a standard GTI. What's the point of that?

First of all, M3's are about $50,000 so that's way out of this car's price range.

Second, there is a list of cars that are way faster than 6.4 for less $$$.....just off the top of my head, STi and EVO as already mentioned, 350z, s2000 (not sure about that one) + camaro Z28, mustang GT, and pontiac GTO, all of which are equal to or under this car's price.

i just realized the s2000 is more expensive so count that one out, my bad

Jeb? Where can one buy a new Camaro Z28?

32k seems like a lot for this. But then, some people are VW fans, and 5,000 will be a comparatively exclusive subgroup. To each his own.

LOL OMG R U SERIUS??!??!?! LOOLOLOLOO

OMG ONLY 5000 MAED! IT MUST BE AWESUM!! LOL HAEV FUN FINDING PARTS 4 IT U BUNCH OF DIRTY N00BS.

LOOLLO OMG HAAALP OMG I NEED ONE JUST BCS ITS SO RAER!!!

THIS IS A HONKING PILE OF MOUSE TERDS. THATS HOW AWESUM OF A DEEL THIS CAR IS. LOL @ NE NEWB THAT THINKS THIS CAR IS TEH SECKS. THIS CAR IS TEH SUXOR!!!!!1111111111!!! LOL

HAEV FUN THINKING ABOUT OMG CAN THIS CAR B AWESUM?? LOL PWNT NUB IT ISNT WURTH NETHING. THIS CAR ISNT EVEN EQUIVALANT TO A HAIRBRUSH. A HARIBRUSH WOULD SERIOUSLY MAEK A BETTAR CAR THAN THIS LOAD OF OLD TOENAILZ.

LOL PWNT NUBS L2P CARZ PLEZE.

PWND!

Who the hell is the lightweight above who keeps making those horrid posts? Go back to school and learn to spell. Anything really, just spell something right.

to But,

I tell this based on the old R32 that i drove and for some reading on germany magazines that are saying that this new one is even better to drive...

I completely agree thats not cheap.. but i has some serious performance and smoth riding.. Some of you said its not that fast on 0-60... but try putting some turns on the path and you will know what the 4motion is about...

If i really needed a car faster than this, i would just spend 2k in a turbo...

"Some of you said its not that fast on 0-60... but try putting some turns on the path and you will know what the 4motion is about...

"If i really needed a car faster than this, i would just spend 2k in a turbo..."

Yeah, a stock WRX is a much better (cheaper) candidate to start messing with aftermarket mods.

People by VW's because they're tools, just like 99% of Mac buyers who never use graphic apps that Macs are great at. They don't want the Civic or Accord because they think they're sophisticated. They're happy until it's out of warranty and they end up paying Porsche level maintenance costs with insane levels of depreciation.

HAHAHAH
HAY ALLAN

LOL NUB LERN2POST OMG MOG OMG MOGOMG OMG LOL!!!

LOLERSKATEZ!!!!!

AT LEEST I AM POSTING ABOUT CARZ, WUT R U DOING NUBSTAIN? LOL NEWB PWNT U JUST POSTED ABOUT ME BCS U DONT EVEN NO ABOUT CARZ!! LAWEL U MAEK ME SICK GG PWNT NUB

HOW DOES MY PWNSAUCE TASTE THAT U GOT ALL OVAR YER FAYCE??? LOL PWND N00B L2P CARZ PLZ

PWND!

Noya,

Im sure you know that, but the WRX is a sedan, so it has it own class of competitors. (its a VERY good car, but not a smooth ride)

The R32 two go against the BMW 135i, and other hatchbacks (like the sport versions of Astra, size apartk, clio, etc...)

In this class it goes as fast as the BMW, but costs less... and its better made. And the other competitors are basicaly the same street car with a bigger engine (lost under steer, and in the Astra a huge torque steer)

Its simply not fair to compare cars from diferent classes .. and in its class, the R32 is one of the best!

Rafael:

This car doesn't really have any other cars in its class simply because no one can sell a performance-oriented two-door hatchback for $32,990. The Astra and Clio are not sold in the US. What other performance 2DR hatches going for $33k have made it to the states?

For the record, it IS fair to compare cars from different classes that are the same price, because that is what real people do in the real world when they are shopping for cars. They compare a variety of cars at a certain price point.

Matt,

I was about to discuss this matter in my post, but i didnt want to make it long... I know thats what people do.. but its simply not adequate. Cars to be decently compared have to have the around the same PRICE, PROPOSAL, POTENCY and SIZE. Otherwise you would come up with comparations like "..should i buy a two sit cabriolet or a huge SUV, both cost the same!" Thats a matter of taste and you cant discuss that...

Of course its your job to buy what you think its best with your money, but its the car companys job to make cars as good as they can in every class so you can choose whats better for you..

Are they almost sold out of the TDIs, too?

Way over priced in my opinion, and all my friends that have current GTI's take their cars to the dealer regularly to get things fixed. I think it was Car and Driver that had a poll and something like 65% of Jetta/GTI's went back for warranty repairs.

To the moron posting in L337, THIS ISNT A KIDDY BOARD, so keep that crap off here.

I see the last post was several months ago, so maybe I'll have the final word.

I just bought a 2008 R32 last week and it is replacing my 2004 GTO 6-speed. I've driven a friend's modified WRX, but it doesn't compare to the R32. You need to drive one to really appreciate how thoroughly the R32 was thought out.

The GTO is an awesome car and obviously wins the straight line race against the R32, however I think the R32 is better in every other category. The 0-60 time for the R32 is actually less than 6.0 seconds when you utilize the launch control feature; turn off ESP, left foot on the brake, tach to 3200 RPM and let the DSG work its magic - its flawless with engine braking and incredibly quick shifts. The 3.2 liter 15-degree V6 delivers power crisply and smoothly with an awesome exhaust crackle that scares the GTO, no joking it sounds like a serious race exhaust system not a coffee can rice burner. You can always add a turbo to a great engine if you want to get serious, just look at the 2008 HPA R32 article at the Motor Trend site.

I just bought a Red 2008 R32 and yes, while the STI and Lancer crowd will no doubt call it overpriced and underpowered, the fact remains that horsepower alone does not a great car make. I've owned a 2002 BMW 330i, a 2004 M3 and recently an '06 Mini Cooper S Works and I can tell you from experience that this new V dub is my personal favorite now, hands down. It's a very comfortable daily driver, and absolutely shreds mountain roads. The DSG transmission is the best auto I have ever used. It shifts so smooth that you have to look at the readout to see that it's really changing gears. It also has the advantage of being a hatchback which is simply the most versatile auto design (for space vs. size) ever created. And it doesn't come with an ugly, oversized, useless wing on the back!

I also recently bought an 08 R32 as well. I am a huge rally car fan, and having test driven an 06 Evo MR and an 06 STi, I would have to say this car offers the combination in terms of comfort and performance. Additionally, this car also offers a bit more sophistication than the boy racer image the above mentioned project (not that it's bad IMO).

Also in terms of depreciation, the 2004 R32s still retain some of the highest resale values (anywhere from 62% - 70%)after 4 years. I imagine the 08 R32 will retain value too, especially since only 5k exist in the States. In addition, Kelly Blue Book also listed VW as the top resale brand.

I bought an 08 R32 and have had it for 4 months. You won't be able to judge this car in 1 test drive. The more I drive this car, the more I love it. VW has also stopped production at 3000, so this car will hold it's value, or even apprieciate. This car was not meant to be the fastest car on the road. It is a balance between performance, comfort, and reliability. It's a race car for daily driving. Specs and product reviews are one thing, but I have raced STI's, Evo's, Corvettes, Mustang GT's, RX-7's and others and outran them all, so don't believe everything you read. most ricers don't stand a chance against this car.
To the guy with the texting shorthand, I don't think your old enough to even have a drivers liscense, so don't dog the car until you have drove one.
I outran my friends 07 Mustang GT. He sold it the next day.

Not sure if I would spend $30k + for a VW.

You all are a bunch of idiots. The performance numbers they quote for the R32 are for the Euro spec four door version not the US version with the DSG. Take a look that Car and Driver test of the R32 and you'll see the car does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds when using the launch control. As far as comparing the evo, sti and the r32. They are cars for different people. The evo and sti are for the boy racer that doesn't car about a nice ride or a quality interior and wants everyone to know what he is driving. The R32 is for someone who wants a car that is great to drive on a daily basis but can take it to the track and still hang with the rest of the pack. If you look at top gear tests of these tree cars the difference around a track for all three cars is less than a second. i wouldn't call that much of a difference. Also the price they are quoting isn't what people are paying. You can pick a one up from a dealer for just over $28K. I don't think either sti or evo can be purchased new for that price. To sum it all up these are different cars for different people but if your going to go mouthing off about a car try and do your research first.

I agree with the last post. The R32 is for people who are smart enough to appreciate a blend of performance, comfort, safety, style, a bit of sophistication and a well equipped, high quality interior. If you actually purchase/lease a car based soley on 0-60 times, there's a level of maturity, perhaps, that you haven't reached yet. I test drove an STI, and although it was an absolute blast, it's lacking in many qualities that make for an overall, well balanced, "nice" car.