I have been dying to get an Evo for some time now, but I am waiting to get my financial situation straight before I do. I have test driven an '03 and an '05 w/SSL, an '05 STi, Mazdaspeed 6 before yesterday. Up until this point I have been so into getting an Evo...However, my friend talked me into going down to a local VW dealership and looking at an '04 VW R32. I went along with an open mind since this is his "dream car". The sales guy immediately asked if we wanted to take it for a drive. We said "oh yes" and then he made copies of our licenses and threw us the keys. He didn't even want to come with us. He putted around the lot on his golf cart and left us alone with the car to go drive. When I started it up-OMG the exhaust is so menacing! I am a bigger guy so the seat bolsters were kinda snug but not unpleasant. I have to admit that I feel slightly more comfortable in the Evo though. So we pull out of the dealership and took off. OMG this thing has so much torque without any lag since it is N/A. I am so inpressed at how great it shifts and how nimble it feels. You can't leave out that exhaust note when it opens up for better flow under load. This car is awesome! It even has very decent room in the back seats. Considering that it is a hatch with the power of an S2000 and gobs of torque, I can't argue with fact that with an intake and the ECU chipped it would be almost Evo power still being reliable low maintenance N/A for the cost of a few hundred bucks. The only bad thing is that people want what the car is worth new for a used 2 yr old car since it is limited edition. I am at a crossroads now. I can't decide where my fate lies-'05 EVO or R32.

 

R32 is more luxurious oriented then a rally breezed car like Evo..

I would look for a lexus testdrive,if you like the luxury.

 

r32's are fun cars. I had fun beating one a few days ago.

 

It depends on what you want the car for. For "racing"? you will be waxed ALL day and night by an evo. VW is too heavy for its own good in my opinion. I love the car also (VW) and would get it for the comfort/quality/occasional spirited runs ALONE. Thats it. if you want speed, and suspension superiority on the track (drag or road) you cant beat the EVO or Subies for that. my 2c

 

It's not necessarily the fact that it is more luxurious at all. It is the fun factor and performance that I am after. I think that it would be a great daily driver just like a stockish Evo. In the end I just want a fun and fast car that I don't have to worry about reliability. I still think that in the end the Evo will still win me over though since I have always wanted a car with boost. I will just deal with the higher attention to maintenance that the Evo requires. Although the R32 is fun as hell and not totally out of my mind 'til I sign the dotted line...

 

well if full proof reliability is what you are looking for, NEITHER one is a good car.

Examples, if you get the VW, your windows may fall into the door, your rear window wiper will become possesed, your trunk hatch wont open, glove box will break and swing from one hinge, the car wont start for some bizzare and unknown reason that the dealer cant fix and other stupid **** like that.

On the other hand if you get an EVO you will have a new rattle every week, however the one before it would have mysteriously disappeared?! The tranny may grind without cause or permanent solution, you wing will start to fade and the clear coat on the calipers will peel and your seatback bolsters will crack.

These are examples from personal experience, girlfriends MKIV golf and my evo. and yes i kno r32 arent golfs, but all those components are shared between the two.

 

I agree with the fact that it will never equal an Evo performance-wise. I am just trying to consider that since I won't track my car that much would it really be worth going with such an extreme performance car like the Evo, ie. overkill. The R32 is fairly heavy almost weighing as much as cars twice its size. But for everyday driving its ample engine more than makes up for its weight until it is pushed to its limits. I tossed it around in some curves too and it was very planted with minimal body roll which suprised me regardless of it being overweight. Although it isn't a necessity, the interior and monsoon stereo are very nice too. Damn this is a hard decision especially when I see R32 drivers trading them in for an Evo or STi. That should tell me something.

 

it sounds to us that you have already set your mind on what car you want to get. just get it and and be happy with it. I know when you pull up against a evo and your pride gets shattered, you would have wished that you did get a evo.

 

If you decide on the VW R32, then contact HPA if you have the money(pricey). The R32 hooked up is just as deadly as the Evo although it is on the heavy side. Look it up if there is any doubt. The point is, buy what you want.http://hpamotorsports.com/

 

The fun factor will go down once you get blown away by honda minivan or something

 

Oh guys come on it's not that bad of a car(I never thought I would say that about a VW before saturday). I will still more than likely get an Evo since for the last three years it has been my favorite car, period. I totally agree that an Evo is the most amazing car you can buy anywhere near its price. I know I won't talk my friend out of buying an R32 soon, but I do now know why he likes it so much. I just have to get him onto a Mitsu dealership and let him drive an Evo and let the car do the convincing . I think y'all have me all wrong, my mind was never fully changed over to the R32. I am just more interested in it as an option now. However, the wife wants me to get a 4-door and who am I to argue with that?!

 

Can't go wrong with an R32, wonderful car and I love them in Blue.

 

tough choice....it comes down to

4 doors or 3 doors

turbo or naturally aspirated

more performance or more luxury

mitsu or vw lol

if i were u i'd take the Evo anyday. i've driven a r32 also, and damn it was a very very fun car with lots of available torque like u said, but deep inside i'm a turbo guy. i love it when the rush of torque kicks in at full boost. plus i prefer simple interiors like the Evo's, this way less things will break and go wrong.

 

Tech at VW. R32 is very Luxurious like people said its well made because it was engineered BY AUDI just slapped VW badges on it. It was more smoother then the EVO 9 MR... ive test drove both same day....performance wise the EVO all the way. but the R32 is also a good performance car...went too California Speedway for TIME ATTACK tha R32 can kick **** was keeping up with EVO drivers but then again the EVO still beat it. its basically Personal Preference there both very GOOD cars LIke "FUSION CHICKEN" said Performance or Luxury TURBO or NA but then again you can always TURBO the R32..i have a 9 MR and Love it i didnt get the R32 (first choice) cuz somone beat mee too it cuz its Limited Edition (5000 made) and i work there dammit!!!! but i got me a MR and Felt a big diff. between both EVO more power better suspension Lighter then the R32 by couple hundreds of pounds if im not mistaken..but for sure the R32 is a smooth ride soooo its ALL UP TOOOO YOU.... you cant go wrong with either of em.. BOTH GREAT CARS but i LOVE THE EVO 9 MR aiight im done talking

 

I wouldn't ever buy a R32, I usually only see queers with blowouts driving GTi's and whatnot.