2008 Volkswagen R32 Consumer Reviews

Still Great at 25K Miles

Written by: J D Sharp on 06/04/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I wrote about my car shortly after receiving it in 2007. Here we are nearly two years later, and I still love it. No mechanical problems at all. Gas mileage is still mediocre (25mpg at very best, all highway driving, more like 18 in the city . . .) but understandable when there's so much power on tap. Seats continue to be completely supportive even after two years. Just wanted to chime in and say that the enthusiastic glow that so many of us feel right after buying a car has continued with this one. My favorite car I have ever owned, and that includes a long string of Audis, BMWs and various Japanese makes. No regrets whatever.

Favorite Features

DSG is a complete winner. Great seats. Rain Sensing wipers. Automatic climate control with DUAL button so you can only adjust one set of controls if you want. Oversize brakes. All wheel drive provides much better balance and cornering than the comparable GTI.

Suggested Improvements

Taller sixth gear, or better yet, add a seventh with true overdrive. Too many revs at 80 MPH (which of course I never drive, since that would exceed the speed limit.)

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Total sleeper!

Written by: Bio Two on 03/21/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I tested both GTI then the R32 on the same raod and same driving style. If it was not the price tag, it will be a no brianer R32 is the one. I picked the R32 anyway. This car is super fun to drive. After getting used to the car and start pushing it, I was shocked that how much a $33000 car can do! Especially on wet road, this car car pretty much beat any moving object on the road! If you can totally master this car, you can out run most of the higher power cars on the market even with the only 250bhp. I often play with my co-worker's BMW 335i, as long as there are some turns, he will has a hard time to catch up. The sweetest feature... Lanch Control!!

Favorite Features

AWD, DSG, Lanch Control.

Suggested Improvements

Navigation, full power seats, more power. Well...ok better gas mileage.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A TON of Fun!

Written by: travelingman on 01/02/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I bought my blue R32 (with nav) in April and drive 85 miles a day to work. This car is a great commuting car; fun to drive, comfortable ride but a ton of torque at any speed. I have had an Audi S4 and S6 and neither is as fun as this car. The only two things that I have added to the car is a clear bra and a Parrot blue tooth system that integrates directly to to the phone button on the steering wheel. It works wonderfully with my iphone 3G.

Favorite Features

Great Exhaust note, good power, comfortable ride. I have had VW buffs to a guy in a MB 350 AMG come up to me and tell me how they love this car. The Haldex AWD is amazing in the New England winter. My other car is a 08 335i with a sports package and I drive this car more!

Suggested Improvements

Need a upgrade option for the ipod; disappointing.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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The Perfect Hatch!

Written by: Phikes on 11/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

Buy this car! The build quality is in Audi territory. The interior is great (steering wheel feels fantastic in hand). The car has grip for days, the body might roll a bit but the AWD goes exactly where you want it. Not to mention one of the best shades of blue ever. And yes it is FAST! The mid range passing power is always right there. I drove both the STI and EVO, they are both faster, but that's the ONLY place they beat the R32. Both the STI and EVO have interior build quality that suggests the occupants were only an after thought.

Favorite Features

Yes the exhaust note is a good as you keep hearing about! Exclutivity. Good MPG considering 250hp & AWD. DSG is golden.

Suggested Improvements

Minor stuff: Bluetooth. Ipod adapter for non-nav models. Aluminum :R dead plate for left foot. The 3.6l V6 would dominate. ;)

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Fun car!

Written by: 604doc on 11/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

This car wasn't even a consideration for me until a friend told me about it. I fell in love with the car on the test drive. It's comfortable on long drives, and just a hoot zipping around the city. It's hard to drive the car "easy", so I'm not sure of the MPG yet.

Favorite Features

"Under the cops radar" styling, steering wheel shape and feel, exhaust note.

Suggested Improvements

Standard blue tooth, better iPod adapter, larger fuel tank.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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The Ultimate "Grown Up" Pocket Rocket

Written by: Tony on 11/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I have been wanting this car ever since it hit our shores at the end of 07, however, I didn't want to pay sticker (or more) simply b/c it was a limited edition vehicle. Ended up paying $29K for my new non nav R32. I love the styling, DSG & all wheel drive grip of the Haldex 4motion system. This car really offers the best of the "boy racer" fun, but yet the practicality of a 3 dr hatchback without all the hood scoops and large winged spoilers. The fuel economy is the only real negative; and it's not the 18 mpg in the city that bothers me, its the short cruising range of 225 to 270 mls; the answer would have been a bigger tank. Otherwise no complaints; it's a great car that I would recommend.

Favorite Features

3.2 VR6, DSG transmission (best of both worlds), exterior/interior styling, grip in the corners, all weather capabilities, pick up, incredible sport seats, useful cargo area, GREAT exhaust note

Suggested Improvements

short cruising range; needs a larger gas tank

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Worth the Wait

Written by: jn on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I was set on buying a GTI until i found a dealer that was selling their last 2 R32s for $4K below the list price (including the VW rebate) instead of $4K over like my local VW dealer. I ended up paying $29.3K (without Nav.) which is only about $3-4K more that an optioned up GTI. So far the car has lived up to its billing. The power is more than adequate for in town driving, the handling is great and the exhaust note is pure magic. The gas mileage is even acceptable as long as you keep your foot out of it. It was the Reader's Reviews on Edmunds that convinced me to got for it and i have not been disappointed.

Favorite Features

semi sleeper looks, comfortable interior, all wheel drive handling, exhaust note, DSG, BiXenon HID Headlights

Suggested Improvements

Bluetooth, Driving/ Fog lights

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Solid

Written by: CA on 09/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

Bought this R32 used with 12k miles. It is everything that I thought it would be. Solid build, handling, acceleration. DSG is surprisingly quick and responsive. 23 MPG mixed so far but am surprised at the amount of revs in top gear. This engine could easily handle a taller gear and would probably get better gas mileage. Unlike others, I think this vehicle is exactly what it was made to be and should be. "FUN" The only thing I'm disappointed in is the IPOD adapter. $75 Harmon Kardon add on unit does a far better job.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, handling, seats, driving position

Suggested Improvements

Taller top gear, improved ipod adapter Move audio jack to center console

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I made a big mistake.

Written by: alleyoop on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I paid too much for a Over Steroid GTI. Not a bad vehicle but not what I expected for the price. I only have 901 miles on it and it sits in the garage. When I do take it out I pray that someone will steal it or total it out. I can't even give away as a cheap trade in. Basically, I did not do my homework.

Favorite Features

Interior

Suggested Improvements

Drop the price at least by $3,000.00 and stop having the dealers marked them up because they are limited production(big deal).

7 out 50 people found this review helpful

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Gas Line Problems

Written by: Chris on 07/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM)

Review

I too love this vehicle. It is sporty, functional, and fairly comfortable. However, as some of you have mentioned, I too have had this gas tank problem. My R32 was idling when it just started dumping multiple gallons of gas everywhere. The tank wasn't full and it came from the underside of the car. The VW people assure me that this problem was unique to my car. However, all the parts are back ordered. The have had my car for almost 2 weeks and said it could be 2-3 weeks more. Sounds like VW needs to admit this design flaw.

Favorite Features

Exhaust note, DSG, 4 wheel drive, turns heads!

Suggested Improvements

Fix fuel tank. Put decent speakers in this $33,000 car. Add the Audi LED lights to it, put the ipod connector in a reasonable place (near power). Don't make customers wait 2 weeks for parts.

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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