This thread makes great reading IMO
So hereÂ’s my two bob's worth, On Saturday I went over to Euro Canterbury and got talking to one of the most down to earth salesmen IÂ’ve encountered in VW. We hit it off from the word go, he was never at any point pushy and after a brief chat let me out on a black 5 door manual R32.
At first I thought it would going to be a really short around the block test drive, but we ended up doing around 30 miles
So how was it for me, well the first thing to grab me was the engine/exhaust note, and what a note, as said before that V6 rumble is soo addictive, IÂ’d like to buy one on the sound alone.
Next was the steering feel, nicely weighted and felt better over the rough stuff, less crashing on our rotten B roads, felt more planted, like it was ploughing trough pot holes and not down them.
Performance, now this is where I felt a bit disappointed to be honest, first of all this car had only covered 1700 miles, so IÂ’d imagine the motor was still a little bit on the tight side, but it didnÂ’t feel like 3.2 litres get up and go,
DonÂ’t get me wrong, it was quick, but one of the test was, 50mph in 5th, and nail the throttle, and it felt a bit lethargic, so I knocked it down a cog, and still it felt a little bit dead, but oh that exhaust note.
Cornering, was good, as you might expect, but as it was bone dry, no true test of the car real ability, IÂ’d of had to drive like a complete idiot, to have tested it properly.
At this point the sun was setting, and the dash lights took effect, TBH I prefer the deeper blue look of my GTi, but the Xenons were already having the desired effect on the darkening tarmac.
Interior, well itÂ’s a bit like the GTi really, apart from a splash of silver around the radio, and so slightly garish silver trim on the dash and doors, not much in it, although I have too say the cloth seats in the R32 are a bit disappointing compared the Gti, no nice detail, or anything too make you feel your in something a bit special.
Exterior, well IÂ’m not a lover of the wheels, and if the right colour is chosen, the chrome detail around the grill, isnÂ’t so “in your faceÂâ€Â
But those things are personal, and apart from them, I like itÂ’s look.
So would I by one, well yes I would,
Do I think it’s worth spending another £7k and trading in my GTi, now that’s a hard one.
As I might have mentioned, the exhaust note is so addictive.
ItÂ’s a car IÂ’d have to buy with my heart, and not my head, so IÂ’m undecided at the moment.
Thanks for listning.
