[gti2k]

Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF?
Naturally aspirated, but technically advanced 3.2 liter narrow engine V6 make this the fastest Golf yet

Lots of aluminum, some sports seats, and lots of equipment make the R32 a very special Golf to be in.

Beautiful blue paint matches up very well with the R32. It's only available in 3dr. mind you.

Plump pipes jut out from the rather big bumper, giving the R32 an awesome sound at full throttle.

Specifications
· VR6 3.2-litre (3189 cc) DOHC 24v V6
· 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, top speed is 247 km/h
· Fuel Economy: 11.5 l/100km
· Front Mcpherson Strut / Rear: Multi-Link Suspension
· 3-door Volkswagen Golf
· 241 hp, 236 ft-lbs
· 6-speed manual
· 4MOTION (Haldex)

Related Links
Official R32 VWvortex Poll
VWvortex R32 Photo Gallery
Official VWAG R32 Website

edit:aliengti



[Modified by gti2k, 1:09 AM 8-23-2002]

 

[raylomas26]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (gti2k)

When I saw this post I was like "30k for a Golf with a styling package? Yeah, whatever...." But then I saw the specs - WOW 240hp, 6 speed 4 motion? Ok put me on the list for one, the R32 will be a candidate for "Sportscar of the Century"
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[1BADSUV]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (gti2k)

Yes please, I will take one in Jazz Blue and send it directly to HPA Motorsports for a twin-turbo upgrade.

 

[kumbang]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (FunkyBlue1.8T)

Right now, I am even looking at putting my name down for the Mitsubishi Evo7 so, VWoa, Hurry up.

 

[VR6guy]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (gti2k)

Who cars if someone would be willing to pay $30K for this car? It will never be offered for such a price so the question is irrelevant. The 25th Anniversary GTI with 1.8T, FWD, 6-speed and Recaro interior will be $25K when it goes on offer here as the "Driver's Edition". You think VW can offer all the extra goodies for only $5K more. Not in a million years........


[Modified by VR6guy, 1:12 PM 2-10-2002]

 

[gti2k]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (VR6guy)

VR6Guy u sound so negative. I mean wouldntit kick ass to have a golf with those specs here in NA. what is so unbeliavable about us vortexers shelling out maybe 30-33K for this "pipe dream"

 

[VR6guy]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (gti2k)

The post reads "...up to 30K". The car will never make it to market for that price. Just trying to be the voice of reason here, that's all. I'm not being negative, just realistic. Carry on.........

 

[gti2k]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (VR6guy)

Well I Just want to thank you for being the voice of reason. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[[email protected]]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (VR6guy)

quote:[HR][/HR]The post reads "...up to 30K". The car will never make it to market for that price. Just trying to be the voice of reason here, that's all. I'm not being negative, just realistic. Carry on.........[HR][/HR]​

Hey Mr. Voice of Reason...

Actually the DE GTI will be priced below $23k.
Also, let's price this R32 out a little bit:
Current Jetta GLI with 24v VR6 and MQ350 six-speed trans = $22,950
Let's swap motors and figure the 3.2l is about $1000 more.
Let's swap seats and say the difference in price to go Recaros in leather for VW is $750
Let's swap the wheels and suspension and figure another $1000
4motion on the Jetta is the Haldex system which Audi charges $1650 for on the TT
Add in a bunch of aluminum trim, shift knobs, unique steering wheels etc. for an addition $500.
Total price *could* be around $27,850. This without taking into consideration what VW actually pays for the above items on a larger scale volume run. Some of the pricing above would be even less I'll bet. Throw in crash testing and EPA cert and worst case this car could still make it here for under $30k easy.
Isn't going to happen though.
-jamie

 

[gti2k]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (vwvortex1)

Hey Jamie.
Thanks for backin me up. I knew I wasn't crazy. The 30K price could be possible even slightly under it. Just like you said though, its up to VW if they want to market the car here in North America, And looking at past history of VW it doesnt look like it'll happen. Guess I'll have to be happy with the DE Gti.
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif


[Modified by gti2k, 10:01 PM 2-12-2002]

 

[VR6guy]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (gti2k)

February Car & Driver puts the 25th at $24,787 or $2787 over a loaded GTI 1.8T as sold in Germany. Were they planning on decontenting in some way for N. America? If so, I stand corrected but the car as sold in Europe is a $25,000 proposition if brought to market as-is.
And as for the 3.2L, 240hp motor only being $1000 over the standard 200hp lump--whatever

Volkswagen has too much money in tight shutlines and dashboard materials to start thinking about actual performance. Let the WRXs and EvoVIIs of the world handle all that. The emphasis on "luxury for the people" and refinement has eliminated any chance of an affordable VW performance car.

 

[[email protected]]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (VR6guy)

quote:[HR][/HR]February Car & Driver puts the 25th at $24,787 or $2787 over a loaded GTI 1.8T as sold in Germany. Were they planning on decontenting in some way for N. America? If so, I stand corrected but the car as sold in Europe is a $25,000 proposition if brought to market as-is.
And as for the 3.2L, 240hp motor only being $1000 over the standard 200hp lump--whatever

Volkswagen has too much money in tight shutlines and dashboard materials to start thinking about actual performance. Let the WRXs and EvoVIIs of the world handle all that. The emphasis on "luxury for the people" and refinement has eliminated any chance of an affordable VW performance car. [HR][/HR]​

There are a few items (like Climatronic and GPS/NAV) that won't being coming on our Drivers Edtion GTI. In fact with the aggressive pricing VW is going after I'll bet money the DE comes in around $22,500.
Even if the 3.2l engine was $2000 more in price it would still come in under 30k (boring out a 24v VR6 block with different internals is suddenly going to cost $2k more than the already expensive 24v VR6?) Maybe a VR6 isn't the best choice for this application then...
Its funny that Subaru suddenly introduces a complete anomally in this market segment with 225hp and AWD and suddenly *everything* else made is crap unless it has 225hp+ and AWD. Nevermind there is a Ford Focus SVT, DE GTI, Nissan Sentra SE-RV, Mini Cooper S, Acura RSX Type S, etc. etc. Those cars don't matter right?

If you want a heavy AWD system and big horsepower you know what your choices are. If you want a modern car that is nimble and quick with decent power, you also know what your choices are.
-jamie

 

[benares]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (vwvortex1)

quote:[HR][/HR]The post reads "...up to 30K". The car will never make it to market for that price. Just trying to be the voice of reason here, that's all. I'm not being negative, just realistic. Carry on.........
Hey Mr. Voice of Reason...

Actually the DE GTI will be priced below $23k.
Also, let's price this R32 out a little bit:
Current Jetta GLI with 24v VR6 and MQ350 six-speed trans = $22,950
Let's swap motors and figure the 3.2l is about $1000 more.
Let's swap seats and say the difference in price to go Recaros in leather for VW is $750
Let's swap the wheels and suspension and figure another $1000
4motion on the Jetta is the Haldex system which Audi charges $1650 for on the TT
Add in a bunch of aluminum trim, shift knobs, unique steering wheels etc. for an addition $500.
Total price *could* be around $27,850. This without taking into consideration what VW actually pays for the above items on a larger scale volume run. Some of the pricing above would be even less I'll bet. Throw in crash testing and EPA cert and worst case this car could still make it here for under $30k easy.
Isn't going to happen though.
-jamie[HR][/HR]​

Jamie if you can convince VW to bring over the R32 I will make mad love to you!!!

 

[gti2k]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (benares)

quote:[HR][/HR]
Jamie if you can convince VW to bring over the R32 I will make mad love to you!!![HR][/HR]​

I Dont Think Jamie Would Appreciate That!

Uh?!? I'll just say thanks alot and click on your sponsors more. Sounds Good OK! And if your Ever In Southeastern PA, You get a free dinner at my pops pizzeria!!
Come On Jamie There Is Some Real Incentive There. LOL I Promise no "Mad Love"

[Modified by gti2k, 1:21 AM 8-23-2002]

 

[VR6guy]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (vwvortex1)

quote:[HR][/HR]
There are a few items (like Climatronic and GPS/NAV) that won't being coming on our Drivers Edtion GTI. In fact with the aggressive pricing VW is going after I'll bet money the DE comes in around $22,500.
Its funny that Subaru suddenly introduces a complete anomally in this market segment with 225hp and AWD and suddenly *everything* else made is crap unless it has 225hp+ and AWD. Nevermind there is a Ford Focus SVT, DE GTI, Nissan Sentra SE-RV, Mini Cooper S, Acura RSX Type S, etc. etc. Those cars don't matter right?

-jamie[HR][/HR]​

Just as I suspected, a de-contented Driver's Edition for this market. No climatronic, no GPS, different headlights, minor interior changes. Watch those Recaros and 18" RCs vanish before your very eyes..........
Funny, I don't recall implying that every car with performance pretensions at or under $30K aside from the WRX and Evo7 is "crap". Not at all. It is a simple truth that VW is not equipped nor motivated to compete in that niche, that's all.

 

[[email protected]]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (VR6guy)

quote:[HR][/HR]Just as I suspected, a de-contented Driver's Edition for this market. No climatronic, no GPS, different headlights, minor interior changes. Watch those Recaros and 18" RCs vanish before your very eyes..........
Funny, I don't recall implying that every car with performance pretensions at or under $30K aside from the WRX and Evo7 is "crap". Not at all. It is a simple truth that VW is not equipped nor motivated to compete in that niche, that's all.[HR][/HR]​

You are correct, VW isn't motivated to compete with very niche models like the WRX and EVO VII.
What I don't understand is that if you are truly interested in performance, why you are upset about some minor cosmetic and non-performance items that were left off the DE GTI in the interest of cost savings? I think the important part is that the car is coming with all the performance items intact.
-jamie

 

[VR6guy]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (vwvortex1)

I am indeed inerested in performance. That is why it's likely that I'll never buy another VW again. I only called out the $23,000 DE as being "decontented" to defend my original position that if VW brought the 25th to market here in the states AS IS, it would be a $25,000 car. It then follows that the R32 would not in a million years even be able to be sold here for under $30,000. I still stand by my opinion.
As for VW not being interested in competing with "very niche vehicles " as you put it, I say BS. What of the very focus of this thread--the R32? What of the Beetle RSi? I'd say those are niche products in anyone's mind. VW is just not interested in bringing those products to market in this country. Furthermore, VW isn't going after the same niche as Mitsu and Subaru even across the pond, namely high-performance for reasonable dollars. The Beetle RSi sold for, what, the equivalent of $80,000 usd? Puh-lease

[Modified by VR6guy, 9:28 AM 2-12-2002]

 

[[email protected]]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (VR6guy)

quote:[HR][/HR]As for VW not being interested in competing with "very niche vehicles " as you put it, I say BS. What of the very focus of this thread--the R32? What of the Beetle RSi? I'd say those are niche products in anyone's mind. VW is just not interested in bringing those products to market in this country. Furthermore, VW isn't going after the same niche as Mitsu and Subaru even across the pond, namely high-performance for reasonable dollars. The Beetle RSi sold for, what, the equivalent of $80,000 usd? Puh-lease

[HR][/HR]​

My point was more that VWoA is not interested in selling very expensive niche vehicles like the Beetle RSI or R32 because they are just too expensive to sell in this market. Not to mention that Volkswagen doesn't have any factory backed FIA Rally connection to be made that helps market those types of vehicles (and provide parts to raid). Only two Japanese manufacturers are playing in this market segment. I don't see any of the manufacturers out there scrambling to jump on this bandwagon. Even across the pond in the past it has been a battle between Mitsubishi and Subaru and that's it. What is my motivation as a manufacturer to get involved in competing with these two cars?
I can understand your (and others) frustration that VW isn't offering a WRX competitor, but I can also understand why VW isn't touching this with a ten foot pole. It is a huge risk with little benefit to VWoA for a market segment with only two competing vehicles. For you personally, you want a high-horsepower AWD vehicle and you really only have two choices unless you want to spend more than $30k.
Otherwise I think the DE GTI (and a lot of other great new cars in that segment) offer decent performance for the money.
-jamie

 

[benares]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (vwvortex1)

Jamie,
would it be possible for VW to create something of an aftermarket catalog for those who want these bits and pieces? Like sell a 4-motion conversion, recaro seats, chip programming, etc. That way they don't have to risk selling whole cars. And if they can't trust their technicians to do the work, have VWoA handpick a specific garage in each state that IS qualified to do the work.

 

[Eolair]

Re: Would You Pay Up To 30K For The R32 GOLF (benares)

The Golf R32 is supposed to retail for around 35k € here, that´s 30500 US$ at the actual exchange rate and includes 16% taxes.