O.T Volkswagen R32 GTI Options

[Neal]

I have to say I am a huge GTI fan after having an 86 16 valve. I was walking to work from parking the teener when I spied a brand new GTI (red !) I approached and low and behold there was a fine young man inside.
The car had R32 on the grill and no other emblems. We started talking and thats when it got good.
240 hp VR6 (3.2)
6 speed manual tran with overdrive
4 motion all wheel drive
4 wheel ABS
4 seats that looked Like Recaro's
http://www.autosite.com/Volkswagen/2004-Vo...swagen-R32.html
I would buy one of these in a heartbeat if I did not have a son leaving for college in August.
If I had it I could finally do my 3.2 or 3.6 conversion and not miss driving the 914 as much.

Neal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

[Mountain914]

If y'all don't mind me adding my opinion.
I had a VR6-GTI, I currently drive a WRX Turbo.
I am in the market for a new AWD, find the Audi's to be too much money, and have been looking at both the STI (2.5L four, 300 horse) and the Golf R-32 (3.2L six, 240 horse).
The Volkswagen is tight, refined, clean, quality. A "grown up" car. We're lucky to have it in the states. It's just a luxury car in a small package.
The STI is fast, and, um... fast. Not the same feeling at all. Not a great long-drive car, but it's, well, fast.
VW=3 door (hatchback), STI=4 door coupe.
Price is about the same for either ($ 32k) but no haggling with VW.

If I bought one today it would be the R32. Awaiting to see if the STI is more refined in '05 (will know very soon, and yes, I like the new silver).

Big difference to me, is turbo vs. naturally aspirated. You could do more with the VW if you boosted it (see HPA Motorsports who have brought this thing to 550 horsepower (and doubled the price). Not that I'd do such a thing, of course.

I really really hate the turbo lag in my current WRX. I'm older (that means better, right?) and would prefer the VW at this stage.

Both cars weigh about 3200 pounds (it's hard to beleive the golf could possible weigh that much!).

Neither care will keep good value or for very long - but the R32 is a limited run (I think 5000 units to the states) and being this is the last year of the MarkIV platform, I am going to guess they won't make anything close for a few more years, which makes the R32 collectable.

So, I keep looking, still deciding... I like the higher ground clearance in the Subie but man, that R32 is one fine automobile, sounds great, and just makes you feel like you're riding in a luxo-mobile. Man, I am getting old.