This is an interesting conversation. I have owned countless cars, including an M3, a 740il, several audi's and VW's, including a very nice VW Corrado. It used to concern me with what other people though of my car, including women, etc, but I uess now that I am an old fart, utility is more important in the pleasure equation, and that's why the r-32 does not interest me at all. It's neither fish nor fowl. To me, the performance is abysmal, and there are many other cars that are just as luxurious in the price range. So what you are left with is the "cool" factor. If I wanted to impress girls or have a nice daily driver, I'd just put the 30 large into a used mercedes or BMW. The r-32 is a wierd car to me. If it had 300 HP and a better suspension set-up, I'd say it was a triumph, but they did not go far enough in either direction, in my opinion. By the way, out of all the cars I've owned, the Evo is the only one I know I'll have when I'm 65...this thing is amazing. Althogh I admit, it's nice to have another comfortable car to drive on occasion. Also, I do not think the stock ride height on the Evo looks bad at all. Kids these days!


Percy

 

I hope this helps the general conversation. If you want a really good way to compare the R32 to the Evo or STi, just look at the autocross classes they are in. The Evo and STi are in A class and the R32 is in D class.

That being said I don't think they should be compared really, they are truly in different car classes.

On a VERY intresting side note, we had a race school instructor at our last autocross, he took out the R32 and a 1.8L GTi and the R32 was barely ahead in times. *Note, weird enough both cars were packed full of people so the instructor could tell the novices good pointers and whatnot. But i thought that would help the V6 powered R32 because it should be able to pull more weight.

Anyways, I do like the R32, but I would never trade my Evo for one.

 

case closed...

 

I agree with him. Why would you want your car slammed all the time, Stock Evo hight is not bad at all unless you go with 18s and then create a bigger gap. Then again, I don't want to go with 18s either...
Most people that lower their cars to the ground don't care **** about suspension and handling (and I would dare to say, they also know as much). They use cheap springs and then cruise. If they had to work their suspension shocks would blow after only a few thousand miles. Lowering is to lower center of gravity and help handling (not hurt it) and when it's being done, it has to be done properly.
I like the stock hight and it helps me save my car from curb damage.
I'm 28... far from being an old fart

R32... initially wanted it, I still like how it looks and interior is nice but after the Evo (my daily driver) I would not go the R32 route. Too much weight, not enough performance and then on top of it - only 2 doors.

 

noone said lower it to the ground...

but even a 1.5" drop, as the Eibach's gave made the car a veritable vibrating chair...

the Evo comes from the factory looking like a 4x4, simple as that... i remember i could almost stick my head in the wheel gap, that's how bad it was...

and while the stock handling was comendable, it in no way comapres once the car is properly set up on a set of coilovers...