As to what an R32 is about... That's different for everyone. Perhaps for some it's about maximising the Revs at every opportunity, ideally on a track or a quiet B road. For others others it's a happy compromise. If I wanted the ultimate hard core road n track car, I'd not choose the R32.
I'm married, have two kids, am approaching 40, and have a 50 mile commute. The torquey R32 with DSG makes the drive to work relaxing where more hardcore cars gave made it a chore. The 4wd gives me a lot of confidence in our crap Scottish weather where the GTI wanted to wheelspin in every gear. It's got isofix mounts for the kids seats. It's got a 5* Ncap rating. And it's got auto, the wife's pref for the school run.
And even with all of that, when I do get out without the family and want to drive hard, it turns into a full on manual mile muncher that tears up B roads and screams ASBO.
It's a lot of car, and it ticks a lot of boxes, which is why I bought it. But it's thirsty, so on the work run it lives in D. And if you have passengers in the car and leave it in manual or S you quickly look like a tool as you toss them about the car. Nah, S and manual have their place in my weekly drive, but it's no less fun in D.
