Known as one of the most sought-after Volkswagen Golfs, the 2004 Volkswagen R32 is cherished for its practicality and reasonable pricing.
Car manufacturers have been showing swelling interest in EVs in recent years, and Volkswagen is no exception. Eco-friendly vehicles are spreading throughout the globe as swiftly as you can imagine; it looks set to be the auto industry's future, and hence, where huge profits lurk. Yet, most of us tend to recognize the German Volkswagen for its conservative products like the Bentley Continental, practical cars set for everyday use, and weird powerplant engineering in many cases.
One of those classic gasoline-powered VW cars that aroused many people's passions is indeed the 2004 Volkswagen R32. This ride initially emerged in 2003 with a more satisfactory performance and an outgoing design for its interior and exterior. All the advantages and perks of the 2004 R32 brought that little "R" badge on the car (and, of course, into its name). That "R" is more like a celebratory medal that indicates which cars have been approved as high-performance.
That being said, let's learn more about the 2004 Volkswagen R32 in detail and see how much you need to pay for one today.
What Distinguishes The 2004 Volkswagen R32 From Other Members Of The Golf MK4 Family
The Gold MK4 had been on a roll for six years before the first R32 came out in the German market as the 2003 model year. Volkswagen was determined to scale up its Golf series. A remarkable enhancement for the overall interior quality, as well as the performance and exterior, resulted in people scooping up every unit sooner than was expected. Floating above the other cars of its class, the 2004 R32 found its way to the US and Australian markets for the second year of the R32 series.
The whole car is adorned with "R" badges, from the exterior to the inside of the cockpit on the steering wheel, the gauges, and the seats. The unique appearance that accompanies the rather sharp steering and the general smoothness of this car explains the popularity of the 2004 Volkswagen R32 among the devotees of the days of old.
What's more, an exclusive VW-made VR6 goes under the hood, which offers the appealing smoothness of an inline setup and the forcefulness of all the six cylinders as if they form a V shape. Perhaps, there couldn't be a more suitable option to fit in VW's renowned compact cars as the aforenamed VR6 feeds tens of VWs, including the Volkswagen Touareg, the Volkswagen Passat CC, and VW's newly-arrived mid-size crossover, the Atlas.
The VR6-Loaded Volkswagen R32 Can Sprint Up To 62 MPH In 6.4 Seconds Without Breathing Heavily
Volkswagen is outstandingly skilled at making quirks the plus points of its vehicles. That can be notably seen in VW's history of powertrain designs like immense V12s and unconventionally shaped VR6s. Amongst all the fantastic VR6-Powered cars, such as the Porsche Cayenne and the Ford Galaxy, shines the VW Golf MK4 line-up. The relatively irregular powertrain of the 2004 R32 is one aspect that has helped this car remain in the memories of many gearheads.
The vintage impression of driving the 2004 Volkswagen R32 is due to a naturally-aspirated 3.2-liter, 24-valve VR6 nourishing all four wheels. This helps the 2004 R32 crank up about 240 hp at 6,250 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. That's enough power to take the 2004 R32 to 62 mph from a standstill in only 6.4 seconds, whereas its top speed surpasses 150 mph.
The quirks of the car, however, don't end there. Volkswagen pushed the limits even further and mated the 2004 R32's powertrain with a dual-clutch 6-speed manual gearbox; that was the first dual-clutch ever used in auto history.
How Much A 2004 Volkswagen R32 Costs Today
The 2004 Volkswagen R32 isn't the nippiest car you can get. However, you don't need god-awful loud engines that churn out insane HPs to get thrilled. The 2004 Volkswagen R32 guarantees an unforgettable driving experience, thanks to its outstanding handling that makes it drive more comfortable than other competitors like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Now, after nearly two decades, the 2004 VW R32 is nothing less than an icon, and it sure makes us miss the 2000s as specific characteristics will never set in again.
Regardless of how rare the 2004 Volkswagen R32 is, you can still chance upon fair deals that are within your means. Though it largely depends on the mileage and the general status of different parts, the average price is friendlier than many assume, ranging from $20,000 to $30,000. Nonetheless, you shouldn't stagger to see higher figures since a well-maintained, crisp 2004 R32 weighs no less than an invaluable treasure.