2004 Volkswagen R32 | Retro Review

The 2004 R32 was a powerhouse hot hatch back in it's day. Nice survivors are rare and worth big cash.
Show 2349 | Original Airdate 08-06-2004
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[@JO-cw5xe]

That moment when you realize that your car is now on a retro review.

[@BobSmith-nz3wm]

Yes, I know that feeling.

[@JO-cw5xe]

@@BobSmith-nz3wm Would you mind mentioning your automobile? Just to sate my curiosity, sir?

[@BobSmith-nz3wm]

@@JO-cw5xe 1998 Dodge Durango

[@JO-cw5xe]

@@BobSmith-nz3wm Thanks, now that is a car I have never seen on our shores. Thanks, now I have something to take a stab at later.

[@GuardsRed996]

The Mk4 is the best Golf ever, they never have been able to top it. I love mine.

[@hsinwulau]

MK4 has something special, always love this car

[@AruaBakayaro]

Best sounding too 👍

[@RiC3R69]

NFS UNDERGROUND 2

[@Captain_Brown_Beard]

They handled like dog shit and interiors fell apart. Im a VW fan boy

[@dogwhospeaks6382]

@@RiC3R69 Main reason I have my Wookiee right here ^. Also... 13 years ago, more affordable used than other equally powerful cars. With equivalent smiles per gallon

[@shinobusensui9395]

I really liked the mk3 more but by that gen, the car was becoming somewhat a pig in weight

[@dicksaunders7543]

My son owned one and after taking me for a ride I was convinced he made the right choice for all the right reasons.

[@maveric0738]

I still have mine and I purchased mine new! Now it’s pumping out 500 Hp!

[@tbonez8043]

Mk4's have a timeless design, my favorite R

[@GALVIN_OFFICAL]

Yes sir

[@JustinSeara]

They’re built horribly, unfortunately, especially the interior.

[@GALVIN_OFFICAL]

@@JustinSeara true the center console on all mk4 vws are broken

[@izzy031096]

@@GALVIN_OFFICAL Lol not my one, was absolutely mint with 140,000kms on the clock. I owned a Mk5 R32 after my Mk4, the Mk4 was far better built in my opinion, outside and in.

[@GALVIN_OFFICAL]

Oh nice

[@flyboyone]

I am from Sydney Australia. VW sent 200, R-32s to Australia in 2004. I have one of them from new., Number 175 Australia. Unsurprisingly, VW Australia sold 197 before they actually arrived in Australlia but 3 just would go!! So, Porsche Australia bought all three (all black) for about 65% of list price for their sales staff to drive and that how I got mine, new, care of Porsche Australia. My R-32 now has approximately, 54,500 kms on the clock 1st June 2023, , it is black with NO sunroof. It is amazing. It shared the garage with the both the first 996, Yr 1999 GT3 and Yr 2001 GT-2 for Australia but I still love the R-32 most because of it's pure wholesomeness and it actually sounds better than the GT-2 !!!!!!! It was my daily drive. Today, all the Porsches are gone, yet the R-32 still here !!!!!

[@revelare_xvii6269]

AWD hatchbacks just hit a sweet spot for me.

[@flashgordon8301]

The moment when cars of ur generation come out in an Retro Review… hit hard… 😂 Hello from France 🇫🇷 American friends!

[@vwbora26]

I feel old when I realise this is 20 years old

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

That ain’t nothing! I remember like it was yesterday when the 84 gti popped out! Now that’s old! 😂

[@schoolgirlshortdress]

You are

[@Treizez34]

@@schoolgirlshortdress 😂😂😂

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@anibalbabilonia1867 those new mk2s are taking some getting used to with the curves they have.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@anibalbabilonia1867 loved my silver 83 ,blue interior car. Got it in 91, paid 2k ,that was alotta dough ,but it was the "nicest one in town".

[@skylinefever]

I worked with some guys that encountered a VW R32. They didn't understand the appeal. I explained that some people want a fun compact car with AWD. However, the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evo VIII are too hardcore to appeal to everyone. The R32 doesn't have the horsepower the rally cars do. However, having a NA VR6 delivers power in a linear way. Those rally cars had all or nothing turbo lag. The interior is also nicer than a WRX STI or EVO VIII interior. I used to have a Jetta MKIV 180HP 1.8T. I loved it, but I drove too fast and crashed. The side air bags kept me out of the Darwin Awards.

[@voodooturbo]

The STI and EVO interiors were utter trash. The MK4 VW may not have been as quick in a straight line (which is what was most important for some folks), the R32 was a perfect tourer compared to the rally cars.

[@pixelpoppyproductions]

@@voodooturbo right? I sat in the drivers seat of the Subaru on a test drive while my buddy put the key in the trunk to open it (he wanted his jacket). The sound of the key pushing past the lock pins rumbled through the entire car like rocks in a soda can. The Subaru and Mitsubishi may have been faster, but they were also far cheaper in build quality.

[@datdominican004]

Man I was a kid when my neighbor had one , every time he started it I always loved the sound. All them years later got myself a mk7.5 gti tornado red ❤

[@michaelsimko7694]

I love the styling of the MK4 and the Jetta of the same period. Perfect combination of economy, sports car, luxury, contemporary, and retro. And their performance is excellent.

[@williieloman1549]

Bought one new in 04. Owned it for 10 years and 140,000 miles. Cried when I moved on.

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

I was quite surprised to find out how de-tuned the 3.2 VR6 was. It's a closed decked design. The engine can handle a lot of internal pressure. You could easily boost the engine to 350 whp without any issues in reliability.

[@Josh-ce9sv]

Quite a bit more than that even.

[@Josh-ce9sv]

First thing to go is the stock clutch, but at about 400whp.

[@PimpDaddyDisco]

Lol it's a vw. Issues with reliability come standard

[@Poli5h5au5age]

Hahaha right… classic German ‘reliability’

[@superleggera1900]

@@PimpDaddyDisco Mine has 190k miles, haven't had a problem with it, Vr6's are stout engines

[@christophejergales7852]

Always been a fan of hatchbacks. I've always dreamt of having an R32. I drive a FiST myself. It's a baby monster.

[@Youcallthesebagels_]

I’ve owned 2 fiesta st’s. Best bang for the buck.

[@petertewari316]

I drive a FiST too, I am 58 and have had many fun and far more expensive cars. Something special about the FiST.

[@SherwinR89]

I have a Peugeot 208 GTI. It has 14 more kilowatts than your Fords and way better interior and build quality and ride quality 😂

[@Darylrb1983]

@@SherwinR89 you'll get no argument from me, however we don't get that car in the US.

[@SherwinR89]

@Daryl rabara-brokate Yes true but I think the Americans along with the rest of the world will think it's a crappy French brand anyway. Which they're not.

[@ironslimy7899]

daily driving mine with 168k miles love the R.

[@dennismichealsm3786]

I wanted one so bad in the early 2010s .. still looking cool to this day I'd rather have this than any modern Golfs from VW

[@R8andGT3Fan]

Traditional Golf design and a lovely soundtrack from that VR6...what a nice car!

[@J.Wick.]

Remember these being released. I was a Honda guy thru and thru, but man I wanted one of these. Until the Infiniti G Coupe was released the next year, this was on the top of my list. Still a great looking car to this day. And still respectable performance as well.

[@jeffc7486]

Closest thing I've ever had to one was a 01' Jetta with a vr6. That car even was a blast to drive. Someone I knew had an 04' but a small hose on it blew off and blew the engine sitting in traffic. He later got an 08' but it didn't have the same appeal as the 04'.

[@waterloo123100]

@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 Nightmare to own 😂 Their stupid easy to build and not expensive either. Their just as easy to own as a Honda

[@germanengineering204]

@@waterloo123100 haters everywhere! VAG has a ton of great cars under their umbrella!

[@waterloo123100]

@@germanengineering204 I used to be a all Honda or American guy but after owning my 01 12v 2.8 Jetta I can honestly say i love the engineering VW has done with it. it’s simple and well built at the same time.

[@skylinefever]

I also love the feel of a German car. The ergonomics are always the best. I love the weight of the steering. Every button and switch has a nice sound and solid feel. The doors make a loud slamming sound when shut. I love how even the VW has those touches that the more famous German cars have. Unfortunately, they also have needlessly complex repair procedures, too. For people who don't especially value the feel these cars have, they are better off with a Honda. I had a Jetta 1.8T and all of that was there.

[@injustifiiable]

This was my fav generation of the Golf/GTI...wish I was able to buy one then!

[@buckwheatley1520]

I had the mk 4 and 5, they both were awesome

[@brianreardon7700]

I’ve had the mk4 5 6 7 and 8 and the classic boxy shape of the 4 has always been my favorite! That and mk5 I love also

[@MyzteryMedia]

I’m loving these old car reviews

[@MarkMeadows90]

One of my favorites, the Mk4.

[@JaredGti07]

Car in that condition is worth almost 30k now I have the audi a3 with the 3.2 vr6 one of the best engines ever created

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

I almost called BS until I verified and you’re 100% correct. Maybe even more than 30k.

[@harveyhalloway]

I also drive an 2004 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro with DSG, a mint example with 250bhp, not many around in the UK in good shape.

[@poodabran]

My third car on Midnight Club 3. Still remember driving that thing as though it were yesterday. That car was a monster when souped up.

[@cyclistman6358]

Ask as proud owner of a MK7 GTI SE, I must say this R32 looks beautiful and that engine is amazing.

[@EddieAJr-dn7jd]

I was a proud Mk7 Gti owner. Then I became a proud Mk7.5 Gti owner. Now I am currently a proud Mk7.5 R owner. VW FTW!!!!

[@Ovakill22]

Love my reflex silver r32 i'll never ever get rid of it..

[@iwhbyd2683]

My opinion, R32 has the most stylish ground effects of any hot hatch.

[@kimboofdzners9574]

The R32 is a cool car from all angles, VW went full send on this one.

[@SA-zoom1]

These are bona fide classics in the UK. 5 years ago you could get a good one for as little as £5000. They are now £10,000 to £20,000 for the best examples.

[@XenomorphLV426]

That front end looks clean to this day. Even the interior

[@Canadian_Gamer]

I actually prefer this over the modern Volkswagen Golf R.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

So do i

[@McBeamer94]

So do I. 4-cylinders are everywhere.

[@Jushwa]

The mk8 certainly is faster but this engine has character that will make you fall in love.

[@Canadian_Gamer]

@@Jushwa The MK8 is not special, it's mass produced and a bunch of posers drive them.

[@davedeterman3977]

These haven’t depreciated much, and if you want a clean manual they’ll fetch close to $40k

[@waterloo123100]

No way i’d pay that much for one of these. I’ve seen clean ones sell for 17k to 22 multiple times

[@duduoson1306]

I’d pay close to 40k for one with 17k

[@kimboofdzners9574]

They do not depreciate, but by no means these are not a ISF. I have seen them also at 16k to 22k, 40k... is an rxaggeration. What makes them lose some value is the interior dash panel, Imo, did just t age well. Adding an infotainment to keep up with new technology is not enough.

[@kottyking]

@@kimboofdzners9574a 97 mile one just sold for over 100k! Unreal! Im at 210000 miles I drive my r32 and enjoy it for what it is

[@SportsMusicCars]

6.1 and 14.5 is decent. the handling of these is their strong point. a friend has one with a tune makes 285hp hits 60 in about 5.6

[@sibusisovilakazi2825]

I was brought here by the VR6 GOLF 3, I stayed for the love now my reward is this, the R32 review

[@PaulTC777]

My 1st car in Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition

[@karelvvv]

I used to have a VR5, pushing on Porsches and M3/M5 BMW's on Germany's Autobahn 5 from Freiburg to the Swiss border... Lot's of fun, until the engine started using coolant, now happily driving a 1.6 FSI station....

[@fleuger99]

I had a MK5 R32 and totally loved it. It was gray and a total sleeper car.

[@RDriver2.0]

This was one sweet ride back then!

[@27Zangle]

I've always loved that generation Golf. Sadly, I have not seen one on the road in at least 5-years.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

That’s what I’m saying. Some folks in the comments are like these are everywhere still. I literally haven’t seen one in probably 10 years.

[@ricknolan1671]

Test drove one that was a few years old; was very fun.

[@cpkay33]

one day she will be mine. she will be mine. the new R’s are so badass as well. Keeping manual alive.

[@user-wc3mw8iw9x]

The year was 2013 I had all the beautiful girls in my R32 on my way to the shore with the music playing windows down a loud exhaust sound. life was good I had friends with me.

[@sauceracing]

Sitting at 190k, off the road until i get my piggy bank filled up for some serious maintenance and upgrades 🤘🏼

[@davidaubin3902]

3:02 John: BUT ITS NOT LIKELY TO SCARE ANYONE IN A SUBURU WRX STI! LOL

[@tunanocrust5089]

Just saw a red one on bbs rims outside of a taco bell about 5 minutes ago what a coincidence 😂

[@jaydoesstuff9807]

In 2004 I bought a brand new SVT Cobra for $29,500.

[@TopSecretVid]

Love my B5.5 Passat wagon 1.8T(manual, 2nd owner)

[@fernandorocha901]

Very nice this Golf R32

[@selflesswanderer]

Love that I have one of these in my garage.

[@porkchopsandwiches192]

Had a 04 Mach 1 once. Friend I worked with talked about how much faster his R was and how it could smoke my mustang. He was humbled the next day. They are relic’s of a better time. Not particularly fast but fun to drive I suppose .

[@lancemannion4113]

Those Machs were very nice! Tell me it was azure blue? 😁

[@jefferyboat7428]

Well your comparing the better 4.6 v8 dohc so not really a race, he was just clueless about what you were driving. Mach1s should have been the mustang gt in the first place.

[@dwaynerush9599]

@@jefferyboat7428 Ford really should have user the 5.4 2v and pushed it closer to 300hp. Would have been more competitive with the LS1.

[@agaad22]

@@dwaynerush9599 nah, it needed the 4v 5.4 from the Cobra R

[@skylinefever]

The Golf R would have been at a disadvantage in a straight line, but have a major advantage in corners. Also, it would be at a huge advantage on wet roads.

[@shad3128]

These cars were cool, but for them to sell for over 20k USD with 200k or more on the odometer is insane. Car market is off the rails nowadays. I had it back in 2009 and nobody gave two shits about it. Kicking myself rn lol

[@danteeightsix9069]

This was such a cool car when it came out. It's such a shame how underrated it was and is and has been overshadowed by the current Golf Rs.

[@joselorenzo3774]

I know it is a beauty

[@jamestaveras3788]

i had a MK4 years ago with a 2.0L and did an engine swap to 1.8T, hard to believe that VR6 fits in that smalll engine bay

[@Daniel-79]

I remember that these cars had such a small exhaust pipe. It literally was like an inch diameter.

[@voodooturbo]

Man those sounded good.

[@Josh-ce9sv]

My Mk4 R32 ran 13.1 @105 w/ 1.6 60 all day long. Put down 265awhp on the dyno. Great car.

[@moejr1974]

not stock

[@Josh-ce9sv]

@@moejr1974 Of course not. That's why I said 'my R32'- not 'the R32'. If my car was stock there would be no need to have made my comment as the video above shows what a stock car could do. I'm letting people know what an all motor R32 with basic bolt ons and a tune can do.

[@dividad1]

What did you do for mods?

[@Josh-ce9sv]

@@dividad1 Just basic hotrodding- intake / fuel /exhaust- so airbox, cams, headers, cats, muffler, and a tune.

[@dividad1]

@Josh What kind of cams were you running? I had a mk3 I wanted to do pretty much the same thing to but never got around to doing it and just sold it. Love a cammed VR, they sound so nasty

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Great little rocket ...Sti's and Evo's had a tough time getting away from them .

[@anasevi9456]

I wouldn't go that far, at least on a track. But damn did they give the Mark IV Golf the love and prestige it otherwise lacked. Unaspirated VR6 paired with AWD a and 6-speed is always desirable. My favourite R32 even if the newer ones are faster. 😍 Give me that VR6 sound any day of the week over a fartcan turbo 4.

[@Youcallthesebagels_]

Sti was a full second faster in the quarter mile lol

[@germanengineering204]

@@anasevi9456 Really you don't care for that sweet boxer rumble from the STI with the proper exhaust setup?

[@ironslimy7899]

@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 All you do is hate in the comments probably never even owned an sti or an R32.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

20yrs ago I'd make fun of those Mk4 kids. Nothing's changed, but the Mk4 has proven itself to me as one of the best platforms as far as longevity. I'm in the northeast, I drive 28k a year for work and there's not a day that doesn't go by that I see at least a handful of them. Of course the mk1 and 2 are the best as far as being totally awesome cars, so they're my first pick for a fun car, but that Mk4 is a solid chassis.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

I’m in Louisiana and I literally cannot remember the last time I’ve seen one. Easily 10 years

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man I wanted one of them so bad! I just couldn’t afford one at the time!

[@mattmayo3539]

I can still smell the crayons from the VW era.

[@AruaBakayaro]

I chose to keep mine over a 2017 Focus RS. I had to sell one so the Focus went

[@GALVIN_OFFICAL]

Still the best car ever built!

[@vasekvi]

I miss the days when cars used to sound this good. My Type R spanks it in every way but will never sound this good.

[@TimJoseph08031990]

The VR6 is a very rare engine now!

[@phoenixnash9724]

No it’s not

[@shinobusensui9395]

Mk3 3 door vr6 are rare

[@Dragunov302]

My fav VW ever

[@fatoputso7375]

Dam s52 m3 power numbers

[@stevenkim9637]

Hubby has 05 mk4 gli with 6spd manual, purchased brand new in late 04 and kept it ever since. It only has 67k original miles, but unfortunately literally the whole car is falling apart even though the car was sitting under a covered surface or in the garage. All the plastic pieces breaks and cracks, interior trims are falling apart, the notorious crayon smell when you sit in the car for more than couple of minutes, and numerous leaks under the hood. The vehicle is dealer maintained and we rarely drive the car, but it’s sad that the classic is literally falling apart and getting rotten by sitting there. Sure you can re-do the interior, but at this point it’d be more of a sentimental value because we have memories to the car and that’s priceless. But the car itself is practically worthless.

[@yungkidnf]

Mk4 is my favorite gen for a reason

[@XenomorphLV426]

This was my first car in Forza 1. Yes the original one. It was great.

[@landroverSV]

How I miss my VW MK4 R32. Lost her to Super storm sandy 💔 😢

[@JDMHaze]

Hydraulic clutch, well done vw

[@coltonphillips1]

You never see this generation still running.

[@gibememoni]

Problem is it was only slightly cheaper than the 2004 WRX STi which is better in every way

[@DabDabGoose]

except in anything that isn't performance related.

[@hondamanvtec2894]

Mk4 The best Golf And the most fun one

[@TheKiltedYaksman1]

A nice sounding engine, and a nicely styled (if not constructed) interior doesn't change the fact that it's still a MkIV VW, and thus kinda unreliable crap. Adjusted for inflation, that's a $45,974.26 car, a little more than the starting price of the current Golf R.

[@8gti9]

Great car!

[@scottyg7284]

Vw started making the golf gti in 1976 .

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Not a fan of any German cars but I have always liked the vr6

[@germanengineering204]

Porsche 👍

[@Welcometofacsistube]

@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 always nice to get comments from my fan club

[@tanner2701]

Had a black on black mk4, was a blast before someone rear ended me and totaled it : /

[@MiniH0p]

dont let the humble mechanic see this.

[@zounds13]

I love my MK7 Golf R, but I still miss my MK4 R32.

[@2ZZGE100]

Body roll and springs for days

[@jamesmartone1901]

I'd be happy with a reliable GTI 6 speed.

[@yungnguyen82]

still look slick by modern standard.

[@steviedee71]

Almost bought one in 2005 for 20k now there double that i will never sell it if I get my hands on one!

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

Still Hot

[@friscostreetstories5403]

Still have mine. BMP with 90,000k

[@Blue-moon12]

MK4 GTI were a disappointment with 115 hp or 1.8 Turbo at 150 hp, but the R was special.

[@chrislim7976]

My headliner is coming down.

[@jasonz7788]

Awesome 👍

[@devincruz1465]

Nice car

[@Dragunov302]

Imagine if they made a 30 valve version like the Jettas had

[@harrycolonicjr.2397]

"Deep tinted tuner taillights" lmfao

[@subielife4life]

This commercial felt so good to watch that it felt kinda hardcore x rated!!!!

[@Jose_hernandez970]

I never understood the appeal of what is essentially a 2 door station wagon that you feel every bump, road noise is deafening, and reliability that makes the Italians giggle.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Lol truth

[@SataniaMcDowel]

Need for Speed Underground introducing me to this o.o

[@patrickmichael3384]

This R32 and every Golf R that came after this is as close to an Audi performance car as you can get for Volkswagen (Or Volksy as I call VW) drivers, and that’s never a bad thing.

[@skylinefever]

Some people call the current Golf R the hatch version of the Audi S3. The Audi doesn't cost that much more, so I guess people who love the Golf R but want a premium name can go for the S3.

[@patrickmichael3384]

@Skyline Fever I thought that way too.