# VW R32 is it really worth it? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [February 22, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460 "2009-02-22T18:01:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/81 "2009-02-24T19:11:45Z")
can’t you get a GTI with the same luxury options for less? ---
**Author:** ![Moruitelda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/moruitelda/32/5348_2.png) [@Moruitelda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Moruitelda)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/82 "2009-02-24T19:35:10Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > can’t you get a GTI with the same luxury options for less? Don’t be a VW hater ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/83 "2009-02-24T19:37:17Z")
I am not being a hater, just saying that if you like the GTI/R32 for its luxury, rather than mainly for it’s performance, then you would be financially better off with a GTI. ---
**Author:** ![Moruitelda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/moruitelda/32/5348_2.png) [@Moruitelda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Moruitelda)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/84 "2009-02-24T19:43:12Z")
(I was being sarcastic, I made the same recommendation and apparently I’m now a guy who calls VWs crap on some forum because the R32 isn’t worth the cost.) ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/85 "2009-02-25T03:32:01Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > can’t you get a GTI with the same luxury options for less? GTI = fwd only so I see no reason to even mention it in the same sentence as performance cars. ---
**Author:** ![LowlyOilBurner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@LowlyOilBurner](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LowlyOilBurner)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/86 "2009-02-25T04:02:03Z")
> [@EvilJay](#): > > But for real, it’s such a novelty vehicle that unless you’re some sort of limp wristed VW enthusiast, it’s not worth it. My thoughts exactly, and lol! ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/87 "2009-02-25T04:18:33Z")
Oh hi, economics 101? Blue Eye Devil says : > > [@fiend540](#): > > Everyone talks about them being overpriced and holding their value but wouldn’t you make that up when you go to resell it? > > Yeah, I have mentioned that before, total cost of ownership. No one cares apparently. Did no one read this? You spend more in the beginning, you get more at the end. Those VW fanbois and low production numbers are keeping this car’s resale value. ---
**Author:** ![Moruitelda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/moruitelda/32/5348_2.png) [@Moruitelda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Moruitelda)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/88 "2009-02-25T05:24:54Z")
> [@Daddie](#): > > Oh hi, economics 101? > > Blue Eye Devil says : > > Did no one read this? You spend more in the beginning, you get more at the end. Those VW fanbois and low production numbers are keeping this car’s resale value. Well, if we’re going to talk with real numbers about cost, Edmunds says that the 2008 R32 is $0.71 per mile to own, everything included. This includes deprecation. An Evo GSR is $0.84. An STi is $0.75. So you’re right - the overall cost on the R32 is less. I’ll definitely admit that you’re right on this, but I still maintain my position that it’s not worth it due to the difference in performance. Top of the line GTI is $0.63, by the way. And JayS, FWD doesn’t mean it can’t perform. The GTI is a good performing car that’s well worth the overall difference in cost between it and the R32. With just bolt on mods (intake, exhaust, chip), people make above 300whp on them, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/89 "2009-02-25T05:40:20Z")
> [@Moruitelda](#): > > This is NYSpeed, not NYLuxury. If you ask me if a car is worth it, when its performance doesn’t justify its cost, I’m going to say no. Not because I hate VW fanboys (although I do), but because I assume, unless you tell me otherwise, than you’re asking about price/performance value comparison. Then why do you have a mini cooper? Car and Driver has this cool Lightning Lap thing similar to how Top Gear has the stig test cars on their track (except C&D is smart enough not to run some in the rain and some in the dry). Cooper S: 3:22.9 lap Mazdaspeed3: 3:16.0 Well the speed 3 is almost 7 seconds faster around the track, why on earth would any nyspeeder want a cooper s over a speed 3 since all we care about is speed? [http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/102111/1324476/version/1/file/LightningLapTimes.xls](http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/102111/1324476/version/1/file/LightningLapTimes.xls) [http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot\_lists/high\_performance/features\_classic\_cars/the\_lightning\_lap\_2007\_feature](http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2007_feature) ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/90 "2009-02-25T05:45:32Z")
Moru, Jay’s good at this game. Careful 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![A.J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@A.J](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/A.J)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/91 "2009-02-25T06:18:24Z")
> [@Moruitelda](#): > > With just bolt on mods (intake, exhaust, chip), people make above 300whp on them, anyway. False ---
**Author:** ![sureshot007](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sureshot007/32/7345_2.png) [@sureshot007](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sureshot007)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/92 "2009-02-25T06:21:16Z")
Goddammit Chuck, I should cut you just for thinking this. The r32 is a fun car to drive, but not fun on the wallet with its initially hefty price tag and then its vw style repair bills. I looked into one when I bought my wrx. I couldn’t justify the price of ownership. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/93 "2009-02-25T06:31:17Z")
> [@sureshot007](#): > > Goddammit Chuck, I should cut you just for thinking this. > > The r32 is a fun car to drive, but not fun on the wallet with its initially hefty price tag and then its vw style repair bills. I looked into one when I bought my wrx. I couldn’t justify the price of ownership. But I bet when you’re watching Mark P’s rip around the autocross course in DS trim putting up consistent top 10 pax numbers you still think about wanting one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sureshot007](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sureshot007/32/7345_2.png) [@sureshot007](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sureshot007)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/94 "2009-02-25T06:33:20Z")
He let me take it for a spin, and it is a fast, fun car. But it’s commanding prices close to STIs, and the STI is just so much more car. I couldn’t justify it. ---
**Author:** ![Moruitelda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/moruitelda/32/5348_2.png) [@Moruitelda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Moruitelda)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/95 "2009-02-25T06:55:53Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > Then why do you have a mini cooper? Car and Driver has this cool Lightning Lap thing similar to how Top Gear has the stig test cars on their track (except C&D is smart enough not to run some in the rain and some in the dry). > > Cooper S: 3:22.9 lap > Mazdaspeed3: 3:16.0 > > Well the speed 3 is almost 7 seconds faster around the track, why on earth would any nyspeeder want a cooper s over a speed 3 since all we care about is speed? > > [http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/102111/1324476/version/1/file/LightningLapTimes.xls](http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/102111/1324476/version/1/file/LightningLapTimes.xls) > > [http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot\_lists/high\_performance/features\_classic\_cars/the\_lightning\_lap\_2007\_feature](http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2007_feature) Because it’s better than my old Impreza was, it was what was available at the right price. If I was buying new, I would buy a MS3 over a Cooper S. Any other questions? ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/96 "2009-02-25T06:59:23Z")
> [@Moruitelda](#): > > Because it’s better than my old Impreza was, it was what was available at the right price. If I was buying new, I would buy a MS3 over a Cooper S. Any other questions? Yeah. I’m sure there were faster cars available than your Cooper S when you bought it, for similar prices, especially since you were buying used. Face it, beating a cooper S in the 1/4 and around a track isn’t that hard. Why didn’t you pick any of them since you seem to be stating that speed is the most important criteria for any member of nyspeed? ---
**Author:** ![Moruitelda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/moruitelda/32/5348_2.png) [@Moruitelda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Moruitelda)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/97 "2009-02-25T06:59:43Z")
> [@A.J.](#): > > False [http://www.gt-innovation.gr/dyno.html](http://www.gt-innovation.gr/dyno.html) …for one ---
**Author:** ![Moruitelda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/moruitelda/32/5348_2.png) [@Moruitelda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Moruitelda)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/98 "2009-02-25T07:04:16Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > Yeah. I’m sure there were faster cars available than your Cooper S when you bought it, for similar prices, especially since you were buying used. Why didn’t you pick any of them since you seem to be stating that speed is the most important criteria for any member of nyspeed? Not with the reliability, miles, and handling that I wanted. It’s just about the perfect car for SCCA autocross because of how dominant it is in GS. My desire to use it to do well in autocross is greater than my desire to get absolute top speed. (Incidentally, last I checked, the Evo is pretty dominant in Autocross but I haven’t seen much of the R32.) I do need a little cargo space, which is why I didn’t buy a Miata. I did want a car made this decade since I don’t want to have to sink a large amount into repairs. There ARE other considerations when buying a USED car, but we’re talking about NEW cars. On a NEW car you don’t need to consider whether a 10 year old LS1 f-body or a 5 year old Euro hot hatch is the better match. You look at what kind of car you want, and what it can do for the price. Strangely enough, the Evo is a SIMILAR car to the R32 that outperforms it for a similar price - and if absolute performance isn’t your concern, the GTI comes close for a much lower price. Anything else? ---
**Author:** ![sureshot007](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sureshot007/32/7345_2.png) [@sureshot007](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sureshot007)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/99 "2009-02-25T07:07:46Z")
The R32 is very competitive in DS - its just that there aren’t many out there. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460/100 "2009-02-25T07:09:52Z")
> [@Moruitelda](#): > > Not with the reliability, miles, and handling that I wanted. It’s just about the perfect car for SCCA autocross because of how dominant it is in GS. My desire to use it to do well in autocross is greater than my desire to get absolute top speed. (Incidentally, last I checked, the Evo is pretty dominant in Autocross but I haven’t seen much of the R32.) > > I do need a little cargo space, which is why I didn’t buy a Miata. I did want a car made this decade since I don’t want to have to sink a large amount into repairs. > > There ARE other considerations when buying a USED car, but we’re talking about NEW cars. On a NEW car you don’t need to consider whether a 10 year old LS1 f-body or a 5 year old Euro hot hatch is the better match. You look at what kind of car you want, and what it can do for the price. > > Strangely enough, the Evo is a SIMILAR car to the R32 that outperforms it for a similar price - and if absolute performance isn’t your concern, the GTI comes close for a much lower price. > > Anything else? The same considerations apply with new cars. Cargo space, handling, driving feel, ride quality, quality of interior etc etc. Thank you, you have now proven my point that the R32 is going to be a better choice for some people than an Evo or STi. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-r32-is-it-really-worth-it/63460.md?page=6)