FOTD: Let This Wookie Win A Spot In Your Garage

Ahhhh, the Volkswagen R32. In 2003 the engineers at VW blessed the European buying public with a model stuffed full of all their latest goodies. It was as if an enthusiast’s fairy godmother waved her magic wand and all their automotive dreams came true: a torquey 3.2 liter VR6 engine, Haldex AWD, independent rear suspension, upgraded brakes with blue calipers, 18 inch wheels, Konig sport seats, a subtle yet aggressive body kit, and a six-speed manual transmission or the all-new dual clutch DSG transmission. Add to that the luxurious interior, exceptional fit and finish, and dynamic styling of the MKIV models, and fans the world over rejoiced.

Volkswagen added the MKIV R32 to the U.S. lineup in 2004. For years fans had been clamoring for a performance model to take on Subaru’s WRX and Mitsubishi’s EVO. With the powerful engine and all-wheel drive, they thought they finally had the car that bested the others. Many automotive magazines and websites also had high hopes for this car. For the most part, it delivered: 0-60 in 6.6 seconds (6.4 for DSG models) was incredible for the time.

But even with all that kit, the R32 didn’t win comparison tests. Reviewers praised the power, torque, and sounds of the six-cylinder engine: the turbocharged fours in the competitors were buzzy and suffered from lag. Things that held it back were weight, a traction-based AWD system that engages when the front wheels slip, and, surprisingly, that the model was too luxurious. Well, they stated the model was more relaxed in its steering and handling than the others, but the R32 wasn’t created to be a balls-to-the-wall model where pure performance numbers were the ultimate goal. No, this was more of a grand tourer. A car with serious performance chops without being harsh. A canyon carver. And while it didn’t win comparisons, it was heaped with praise for being a smooth operator.

If you own one, you’ll find the MKIV R32 has a passionate fan base. Owners flock to the Tail of the Dragon every April for the annual Wookies in the Woods event (the noises from VR6 have been compared to those made by Han Solo’s second in command Chewbacca). I can’t think of a better way to flex this big-engined monster than on the twists and turns of the Dragon.

This Find Of The Day 2004 Deep Blue Pearl MKIV R32 is currently owned by VWVortex user ianfromflorida. It’s located in, you guessed it, Florida. Some recent work has been done focusing on passenger and engine cooling, and the car has new tires. It has 145,000 miles on the odometer. Asking price is $8500. You can find the car in our classified section; more photos are included in the owner’s craigslist ad.

The post FOTD: Let This Wookie Win A Spot In Your Garage appeared first on VWVortex.

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