To Sell or Not Sell R32?

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thehattedllama@reddit

Personally wouldn’t but only because it’s cool as hell

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Urbandragonsbyaaron@reddit

Keep it garaged hold for another 7-10 years price will go up

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

They need a re-powder coat to make perfect. They look great on the R. Good choice by VW

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Urbandragonsbyaaron@reddit

I don’t mind lol I have a Mk7 sportwagon tdi 6 speed manual trying to figure out which way to do with it

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I had a Passat tdi 6 speed manual wagon when I lived in Europe. What a fun and functional car

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Urbandragonsbyaaron@reddit

Omggggg man why don’t we have that here So ridiculous they stopped making them here

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TemperatureDecent258@reddit

That car still looks damn good in 2025

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Sure does. Thanks for your kind words.

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i_like_pretzels@reddit

If it goes up at all, it won’t go up as much as any index fund.

Enjoy the car and chewbabacca noises. Or sell it and put the money away.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

You may be right. I’ve doubled my money already because I bought right, but maybe I should roll it into something else?!?

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MissingVanSushi@reddit

A Volkswagen is not really a store of wealth, even though it is probably a decent chunk of your net worth and has increased in market value.

While this model is a special one and will only get rarer as time passes, demand will not necessarily increase and the potential number of buyers is relatively small. This is not a Countach, although maybe this is the Golf equivalent.

If you enjoy driving it and it is running well keep it. If you’re ready for something else move on. You should not be thinking of this as an appreciating asset in the way gold is or bitcoin or $SPY.

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Hoof_Hearted12@reddit

This isn't bad advice and you're right that a vw is not a store of wealth. But the R32 has a cultish following, as is the R which has since replaced it (which I own now). For many of us, this car is a grail. It'll never reach supercae prices but there aren't a ton of clean examples left and that number will only go down so there'll always be a strong market imo.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It represents less than 1% of my wealth. I own gold and it is purely a toy for me. You are right however that there are better investments. I did sell my henna 88 M3 early and left many tens of thousands on the table however.

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lambda_male@reddit

Lmao right, dude worth $3M asks Reddit whether his $30k VW will appreciate. Gtfo.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Hey. I respect Reddit input. Never said it was a make or break deal. More of a discussion starter.

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lambda_male@reddit

Yeah totally. Hey I’m worth $50M, mind if I send you a DM to start a discussion about whether my kids bike will appreciate?

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Lucky guy and a funny one too..

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MissingVanSushi@reddit

Ah cool. You're a lucky dude. Enjoy.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I’m blessed. Thank you for your kind words.

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

OP's R32 is a very nice whip......until all of Piëch's over-engineered components fail, the interior pieces fall off, and the check engine light won't go off.

Not to mention the electronical issues.

But anyway, it's a 20-year old VW, it's normal for such problems to occur on VAG cars from that era.

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BackwerdsMan@reddit

Subtract insurance, upkeep, storage, etc.

I get it, it's fun to have a car that doesn't depreciate. As a guy who bought an imported JDM Diesel Land Cruiser for $20k, it's a good feeling. But I still only keep it because I want it. Because it's not making me any real money.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I get it. I do keep the costs low by taking off liability in the winter. Have sufficient garage space and it needs zero maintenance as it’s mint.

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Buttholium@reddit

Dude, just sell it and invest your money elsewhere. Rats won't chew through the wiring in your stock portfolio.

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thefirewiredguy@reddit

This is a logical answer. But we are VW owners. We don’t always make the best decisions ! 😂 Sell R32 for beige Corolla would be the wise decision but life isn’t meant to be boring

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aspartame-daddy@reddit

And index funds cost less to store and insure

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It’s my “rolling stock” to coin a railroad term

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THE_GR8_MIKE@reddit

Yeah, just don't invest in coins or model railroading either.

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thefirewiredguy@reddit

This. I own a R32 as well. Keep it because they’ll never make another one like this. Enjoy it. Drive it. Take care of it. I think the only scenario where it goes down in value is if all combustion engines end up being banned. Then we have a lot of other problems.

I think the ones we saw going for 40K$+ where a bit extreme.

That said, we don’t know your whole story. Only you know the answer !

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Hoof_Hearted12@reddit

I'd sell my 2018 R to buy this in a heartbeat

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Do it!

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Hyptonic_07@reddit

If you make money and need it today just sell it.

Beautiful car though, I’d keep if it made financial sense.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts

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eleveurdepingouins@reddit

that's Ferdinand Piëch's last one, the last Porsche-family bound VW boss: sky is the limit !

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Recording-Nerd1@reddit

Definitely up.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Let’s hope!

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Recording-Nerd1@reddit

So how many models like this were available, built and still in good condition?
A timeless classic with a V(R)6.
Rims and color spec is awesome.
So compared to modern cars this becomes even more valuable.
If I had such a car I wouldn't let it go.

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asosass@reddit

Man never sell this beauty it’s a collectible over here in Egypt! Goes up to 40k dollars if everything is original and clean keep it!

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Super clean original example. Maybe I should put in a boat to you for that money. Take care

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asosass@reddit

Haha it would be mine for a fair price

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empirer@reddit

Sold my 20th anniversary mk4 10 years ago. Still wish I could have kept it.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I don’t have to sell for any reason. Have garage space etc. I sold my e30 M3 and I’ve hated myself ever since. Don’t want to make the same mistake again!

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allawd@reddit

Keeping it will absolutely cost you money even if the value goes up. My garage is full of depreciating assets and I'm happy for it.

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combong@reddit

Once you accept that cars are an expensive hobby it’s all the more tolerable lol

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Ditto

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obmasztirf@reddit

Had a friend with a 20th anniversary swap the r32 drive train into many years back. Was a gorgeous sleeper.

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Tom-Bomb-3647@reddit

Aw man what a beauty!! A LOT of ppl in my town had these (GTI’s and R32’s) during my late HS/college years back in the day and I was rly tempted to get one but I ended up going with an 06’ Acura RSX type-s (in a similar blue) instead. The RSX was my dream car but a big reason I didn’t get an R32 was bc so many other ppl had them, literally like 8-10 ppl in my small CT town, while no one had an Acura. And it was like $5k cheaper. Still put me in a ton of debt w a car payment I could barely afford but it was so worth it lol. But man i still rly love these and would love to own one today even (not the newer egg looking GTI’s, I still want an r32) . Just absolutely gorgeous cars inside and out. I say keep it unless you absolutely have to.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your thoughts. I don’t have to sell for any reason. Have garage space etc. I’m in Milwaukee and I haven’t seen an 04 R32 on the road in years.

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bae125@reddit

I dunno man, it’s a great car. As an investment I can’t help but think you could do better things with your cash/space/time, but as a car I wouldn’t sell it - I’d regret it

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Neither-Scheme-2251@reddit

It’s a timeless classic, it’s maintain it’s value and maybe appreciate a bit over time…but it’s still going to be a 20+ year old Volkswagen and demand a steady stream of parts and repairs to keep it in top condition over the next 5 years.

Cars are not investments. If you enjoy it, keep it. If not, sell jt to someone who will and move on.

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Occhrome@reddit

my gut is that it should go up but probably wont. people dont have the same disposable income as they have had before nad many people are worried about the economy/jobs.

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purrnoid@reddit

Shit acceleration ✅ Mediocre exhaust note ✅ 16 mpg combined ✅

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Fiveohh11@reddit

Enjoy this thing! Its getting rare to see these on the road

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No_Welcome_6093@reddit

I would never sell an R32 if I had one.

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Another-idi0t@reddit

Don’t know how it s over there. But here in Europe these things are rising.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

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Cosephtaughtyou@reddit

Jesus i been looking to import one of these for the longest

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Pm me if serious

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relayrider@reddit

drive it until the wheels fall off, or you die and pass it on

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

My kids will inherit. One gets the R32. One gets the GR Corolla

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gogetgriff@reddit

I’ll buy it!

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Okay. Need big money 😛

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gogetgriff@reddit

Message me! I’m down!

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Brennerofhell77@reddit

Keept it the mk4 gen is beautiful from the design and the vr6 in this the first gen r32 is rocksolid

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It’s a tank for sure. Haven’t had one mechanical issue in 15K miles since I’ve owned over 10 years. The cheap ass glove box handle did break..

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It has proven to be bulletproof from all perspectives except the cheap ass glove box handle that broke off in my hand.

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vediogamer101@reddit

I would say hold onto it, these will go up in value as newer cars become more expensive and less cool

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Wompie@reddit

The R32 will go up. It's not an investment because it is something that can and will break down eventually, but it will raise in value as it becomes more of a classic.

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GORDOGMC@reddit

Yes sell .....to me!

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

Oof. Had this exact car, same Deep Blue Pearl. Miss it. Are you driving it or does it sit? No judgement either way, I have cars I own that I love that also sit.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I bought it with 56k miles 10 years ago. Has 70K now. 2 owner car. Gets 500 miles a year during the summer. Gets stored winters to keep the salt off.

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soopastar@reddit

I would 100% keep that then. Probably one of the best looking VWs ever made.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I think I’ll hold. It is pretty sexy and understated.

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

Think of it is an emergency fund you can also drive. FSM forbid, if something catastrophic happens you could sell that in three days in cash for enough to keep you liquid for a bit.

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CaddyWompus6969@reddit

An emergency fund that you pay insurance on, takes up space, and degrades over time. Also one that you cant cash out instantly.

Not at all a good investment, it is a cool car tho

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

What a foolish post. Real estate requires insurance, “degrades over time”, and can’t be cashed out instantly. Doesn’t make real estate a bad investment.

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CaddyWompus6969@reddit

Real estate goes up over time, most cars dont

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

I see you have zero idea what you’re talking about. Many cars don’t increase in value over time. This one does. Stop posting.

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CaddyWompus6969@reddit

Keep investing in old cars tho, good luck with that

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

You’re a moron.

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CaddyWompus6969@reddit

Sorry I hurt your feelings!!

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

I can assure you that I could not care less that you don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll be sure to let owners of, say, a Ferrari 250 GT California that they bought twenty years ago that they are wasting their money according to some genius on Reddit.

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CaddyWompus6969@reddit

We're not talking about a ferarri here buddy lmao

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

Again, I understand you are very stupid, so let me see if I can simplify enough that even you can understand: as I said, while many cars depreciate over time, there are examples of cars with a rabid enthusiast following that appreciate. Two examples include the Ferrari 250 GT California and the MkIV R32. Why would someone so clueless about cars be posting in r/autos?

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CaddyWompus6969@reddit

Again, and old car is not an emergency fund. Do whatever you want with your money

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Bot_Fly_Bot@reddit

LOL

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Yep. To coin a railroad term.. it’s part of my “rolling stock”

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

70K, bought a decade ago with 56K, was brand-new in 2003.

Sure, I would love this whip if the check engine light wasn't on (which doesn't happen).

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09Customx@reddit

Client of ours I saw yesterday paid $40k CAD for a clean one of these recently

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Seems about market. How many miles/owners?

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09Customx@reddit

Don’t know about owners but it’s super nice, probably sub-100k km

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the input. Mine has 70K with zero mods.

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Pr1me4p3@reddit

Not a commentator at all but for the love of god do not sell your R32

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Drove it today. Fell in love again. Ain’t selling it.

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k0fi96@reddit

How high do you want it to go? If the goal is to make money sell it now and put the proceeds in the stock market. If want a fun car to drive do that and auction websites will always appreciate a well maintained example regardless of miles.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Good points. I don’t have a target per se. If I sell it it will be on bring a trailer. I think I’ll hold for another 5 years

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venomousfrogeater@reddit

It will hold up the value but it won't increase that much I guess. If you keep it clean tho it won't upset in future but no big bank either.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

No crystal ball huh?

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GreekSpartan92@reddit

It’s a beauty, you can’t sell it!

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

From one Greek to another .. okay I won’t!

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add1ct3dd@reddit

Definitely up, keep it.

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Tudor_I3@reddit

Auction it. But only after a year or more of looking and studying the market.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

I think the only option is BAT.

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Tudor_I3@reddit

Yep! Sell it to Batman then. It will give you a respectable price quote.

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Accomplished-Salt797@reddit

Just lock it up somewhere and move on, years from now it would be worth so much more,,👀

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Hope you are right!

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BeginningRing9186@reddit

I'm a WRX owner and I say never sell your R32. I love those cars.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

That’s funny I’m a WRX fan. We have 3 Subarus in the family. My fave is my 3.6R outback wagon.

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

I hate Subarus.

They are just Suzukis with boxer engines and AWD.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

For the most part I agree. My 2017 outback 3.6R seems to break the mold. Super solid and drives great.

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Coupe368@reddit

Well, it doesn't look like warmed over shit like the new ones, it has a VR6 instead of a turbo 4, and the styling gets better looking every year because the new ones looks like dogshit with a giant ipad on a boring dash. Don't even get me started on the flappy paddle bullshit and the nightmare of doing any maintenance yourself.

Here's the thing, if you like this car, and you sell it, you will NEVER be able to afford to buy another one IN THE SAME CONDITION or better as the one you sold.

So say goodbye to it forever, or hold on to it and cherish it.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

All correct. I sold my E30 M3 and that was a friggin huge mistake. Will never be able to afford the same condition again. Unless I blow my retirement 😝

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saxovtsmike@reddit

the OG R32 (speaking of VAG not nissans) is allready at a higher Price than the mk5, and purists will allways search for these. If its in ok condition and never been on salty roads I see imports from us to europe of these, because the prices over here went up quite a bit, and as we allready see prices go up for rally´s and 4motion vr6´s these have had their valley in price years ago

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It is in very good shape. It’s a 70K mile 2 owner, no salt, no mod car. True survivor with all original paint, no bodywork and no rust.

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

It's very much a cool whip.........if the check engine light is not on (which is almost completely impossible).

Both this R32 and the Range Rover in the background must have spent a lot of time in the shop.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It is actually in very good shape. No CELs. The glove box handle is broken..lol. What a pain in the ass. Bolsters are perfect.

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Eddiedf22@reddit

A car is not an investment..just enjoy driving it. It is very nice car

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Thanks!

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kmbxyz@reddit

Hey, nice! I have a 2.8l mk4 vr6. It’s not as cool as yours, but it’s been my baby anyway. I think these are awesome cars.

I think your car’s value will probably go up from here, but I don’t really think that’s a reason not to sell it. Cars aren’t stocks, they’re cars. If you want to earn interest on your money then holding a mk4 r32 is a really unreliable way to do it.

If you want to sell, then sell. If you don’t want to sell, then don’t sell. But do it because you want to, not because of market speculation.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

You are right. Not a true investment, more of a toy.

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TheRealTechGandalf@reddit

Any VR6 Volkswagen from the last 3 decades is gonna become a classic, and would be extremely sought after if VW goes fully electric (there's still a chance the EU won't back pedal and we're doomed post 2035). Keep it, nurse it, buy some spares in case they're on low supply and high demand all the time.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

She borders on a garage queen. I do drive it around 500 miles a summer to keep it warmed up.

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RusskiHacker@reddit

This was my dream car back in the day. Living in So Cal it’s crazy when I look up R32 for sale near me I see more jdm GTR R32 imports than MKIV VW R32

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

They are a pretty rare bird nowadays. I never ever see one in Milwaukee. Occasionally a markV R32 but never a markIV

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

r/foreignmarketcars

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nand0_q@reddit

This car has aged so well.

What a beautiful machine.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Thanks!

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MrShowalter@reddit

As a complete outsider when it comes to Volkswagens. The sky is the limit. I think the entire mk4 line will go up

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UnluckyGamer505@reddit

I dont see why the whole line would go up, especially the 1.4 and 1.9SDI. Those will just be driven till they die and get scrapped or used for parts. The better ones like the 1.6/1.6FSI and 1.9TDI will probably just hold value and only the bigger, more desirable engines may go up in value.

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coolsimon123@reddit

R32 will go up, GTIs probably won’t

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

But a 20 year old VW will fall apart rather quickly.

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Funny-Raspberry4255@reddit

Xtool A30M, best value wireless bidirectional/ active test OBD2 scanner with free updates?

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Prices were way up post Covid. Have come back down, but I think they are about to rally again for the well preserved mint ones. I think I’ll hold as I don’t need to sell for a reason. Thanks for your thoughts.

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selfinflatedforeskin@reddit

fyi，that's not a rally car

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

True. Not a rally car. My GR Corolla is however.

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

That's because the GR Corolla is a mix of the Corolla HB and the GR Yaris, and the GR Yaris is based on the Microsoft Yaris rally car.

But Toyota decided to make a GR Corolla as the GR Yaris would be too small for Americans.

We don't get the GR Yaris nor the GR Corolla here in Turkey, the closest thing to that here is the Hyundai i20 N (which is made in Turkey).

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NuclearReactions@reddit

Because during covid it wasn't that car that appreciated, it was the whole market doing it by losing balance. Next time the prise will go up it will stay there.

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MrShowalter@reddit

It’s a beautiful example in a great colour. Drive it and enjoy it. Usually after 20 years is when cars really come into their own

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rbxk@reddit

Don‘t sell, you will regret.

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tractorcrusher@reddit

Oh man, I remember when these were referred to as God’s Chariot.

In my experience keep if you can, but sell if you need to. There’s always another different cool car out there.

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Funny-Raspberry4255@reddit

Xtool A30M, best value wireless bidirectional/ active test OBD2 scanner with free updates?

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Absolutely do not need to sell. Problem is I bought a GR Corolla and it has stolen my heart.

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AustrianMichael@reddit

This is the pinnacle of VW Golf and probably one of the more collectible hot hatches.

I‘d love to own one one day but prices, especially for stock ones are already absurd.

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AskingFooAFriend@reddit

That car has one of the best sounding exhaust notes ever!

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

True! Worth the price of admission.

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Imaginary_Act_3956@reddit

That VR6 is truly singing and unexpected (a similar unexpected one is the Toyota Blade Master G, a Toyota Auris with a 2GR-FE under the hood).

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noahbrooksofficial@reddit

Do not sell that thing

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prancing_moose@reddit

Absolutely sell it - to me 😄

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Apprehensive_Cod8119@reddit

Do not sell. But if you must sell to me 😅

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Tricky-Flamingo-9419@reddit

Do not sell

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lerphs@reddit

Even if it goes up it won’t be enough to cover insurance and maintenance for 5 years if you insure and maintain it the way it should be. If it doesn’t give you the fizz it used to then you’re already mental done with the car. Sell it a move onto something that does.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

You’re right. It doesn’t pay the bills. I still love it but my wife wants a convertible we can both enjoy. First world problems.

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YourMatt@reddit

It helped me knowing that I had something special that someone was looking for, and they’d give it the love it deserves. Corny, but it really helped getting over the psychological hurdle of selling a car I loved that didn’t really fit my life anymore.

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OsnoF69@reddit

Id love to get one but I think I can wait and hopefully scoop up the overseas 4 door variant of this. Then my collection will be completo!!

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Hidie2424@reddit

Go up but not by too much

You can kinda see more at a higher price, but very much the average is like 20k. I say keep VW r32's are awesome. Enjoy the car, sell when bored. It's a car, it's hard to make money on a car

https://bringatrailer.com/volkswagen/r32/

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SleepingBeetle@reddit

Do not sell this car.

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Leaning that way

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Jungleradio@reddit

Selling my mkIV BMP R32 is my one automotive regret. Keep her

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TheOGKnight@reddit

Im not even a golf guy or even a hatch guy, but holy shit this thing is clean af. Dont sell, no way things thing depreciates lol

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Safe_Wishbone_6887@reddit

Keep it nice car bro

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

Thanks! Love it

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LordNubington@reddit

I doubt it climbs more than it already is. I have been tracking prices for many years and there was a huge jump several years ago and it has remained consistent for quite awhile, way higher than I think they are worth, and it is my favorite car!

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wmtj2@reddit

Not to sell. Sheesh! I’m looking for one of these.😔…then again 🤗😄

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

It’s right in front of you!

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hambutbacon@reddit

Don't sell it

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Adsral@reddit

Don’t do it. Miss mine daily!

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oldgoldman@reddit (OP)

That’s what I’m afraid of…

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birwin353@reddit

I am bullish on the R32. The price definitely has upward mobility. It’s the best of its era for VW who had a great following at the time and has limited production numbers. Also you can’t go wrong with the biggest motor they had in the smallest lightest platform. It’s a proven recipe.

Oh and it has to be blue and has to have the rims!

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