Just came back from the DC auto show, lots of nice toys there...since i'm still in the decision phase ( i thought between the evo and the sti ) it was nice to be able to compare all three cars in succession...the problem is now i have three choices in stead of two...i've driven both the evo and the sti and was definately leaning toward the evo, but the r32 is one sweet car...the interior is lightyears ahead of the evo's and the sti's...while i haven't driven and r32 yet, i'm pretty sure it won't be as fun as the evo, but for the same price it seems a hell of alot better put together...i know everyone is going to cry foul and say it's not a pure driver's car, not a rally car...blah blah blah, but the gti is one of the original small, fast drivers cars, and i think this car will give the evo a run for it's money...i just wish mitsu could match the quality and value ( not to mention customer service )

i'm not trying to start a flame war here, just giving opinions, so feel free to comment, but please give me something better than "if you want a better interior, buy a bmw "...i'm a serious driving enthusiast, but if i want "just" a driving toy, i'll go back to carting

 

How much are they charging for the R32?

 

30k and change with a full leather interior, i think the leather option was about 800 bucks, so it's right at 30k...

 

You have to drive all 3 to make a decision.

 

This car will not give Evo a run for the money. Read the reviews from way back with the german model which I bet is more powerfull than what US one will be and that car was in every way a lot slower than Evo and STi, didn't handle as good.
Saying says: Everything that shines isn't gold.

I really like the car and was considering it myself but 1) it's still not out here, 2) it's more of a daily driver than something as thrilling as Evo and 3) VW quality is questionable

Might be flashy and fancy but definitely not the choice I would make.
Just my $0.02

 

i just got back from the show myself, and i agree, the r32 is nice, but for the money i'd still rather have and evo or STi. once i sat in the evo, i didn't want to get out the STi was nice, also. the new s4 i thought was a little too cushy for a performance car. but either way, the evos recaros hugged me real nice.

 

I also was wanting and R32 in a bad way. But got so tired of waiting, and then talking to the ignorant dealers.. already plotting to jack up my price 5k when the car was a year away. Had my 1000 down on an STI. Then I drove the Evo. Drove back to the dealer and ordered one. The recaros. The sound (noise?) of the tranny, tires, brakes, engine... all "performing" together. THat is performance. The steering. Oh sweet steering.
And, what I really like about it is that I can drive it through the dirt, mud, gravel, flog it till its filthy, and it still ooks cool... doesn;t need to be clean to look fast and mean. In full mud stylee, just looks like a wicked rally car. No "bling" factor there. i love that. But I realize to a lot of people, that is evil, and they would cut their nuts off before the drove their Evo around coated in mud... but I like it that way!!! I couldn;t quite swallow the R32 cuz it would only look right when its CLEAN and SHINY, and that just ain't me. I think it is comparable to a 328ci with the sport package.... everything I have read from the European magazines puts it in that class comfort and perfomrance wise.. but at less money. I think its a great car, especially for the money... but it won;t give you the 'FEELING" of the Evo... but it may satisfy you more in other ways. I can;t wait to drive one when the come out. Good luck makeing a decision.