2004 Volkswagen R32 Is Today’s Bring a Trailer Auction Pick

• The 2004 Volkswagen R32 was the 240-hp all-wheel-drive alternative to the GTI before the Golf R.

• We once described the R32 as an “instant autocrosser.”

• This particular model sports 143,000 miles and is for sale at no reserve on Bring a Trailer, where the auction will end on July 5.

The Volkswagen Golf has become a staple of the automotive world’s diet. Since 1974, the Golf has experienced eight generations and, in North America, multiple names (including Mk 1 through Mk 5 Rabbit generations). In 2004, Volkswagen decided to bring its muscled-up, all-wheel-drive version of the Golf to the U.S., and that was the R32.

This particular R32 has 143,000 miles on the clock, but you wouldn’t know it just by looking from across the parking lot. The car is painted in Black Magic Pearl over a black leather interior, and like all R32s, it has a six-speed manual transmission paired with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

This one has aftermarket Bilstein shocks as well as an aftermarket air intake. The listing shows that the radiator fan, fuel pump, and a rear spring bushing have all been replaced since 2019. The car also comes with a clean Carfax report and clean Florida title, though it should be noted that the car is being offered on dealer consignment in California.

The car does have a history of paintwork, with the hood being repainted in 2009 and extra paintwork being done to the driver’s side of the vehicle. Blemishes can be seen on the back of the car in photos and are mentioned in the listing. But the interior looks to be in very reasonable shape for a nearly 20-year-old car, although the black leather seats features quite a bit of cracking and even one tear in the driver’s-seat bolster. The headliner on the sunroof can also be seen as sagging.

If you are in the market for a small hatchback with all-wheel drive and a very usable 240 horsepower, the price of this R32 really hasn’t started to climb yet. With seven days to go until the auction ends July 5, the top bid sits at $7500.

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