Following on the heels of the R32 from yesterday, one other issue I personally have with paying big money for a Mk.4 Golf is that you can get a newer, faster, and more practical model for around the same money – or much less. Take, for example, this 2013 Golf R.
In 2012 Volkswagen brought the U.S. the spiritual successor to the Golf Limited – the Mk. 6 Golf R. Gone was the VR6, replaced by the more potent and tunable 2.0T that could now be specified with a manual and all-wheel drive, and importantly in 4-door guise. Did I buy one? Nope, because this German wonder rang in at a shocking $36,000 with options. For a Golf, mind you. But once they started hitting the used market, to me they became more appealing. Unlike the R32, they dropped in price. And they still came in great colors, like today’s Rising Blue Metallic.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2013 Volkswagen Golf R on eBay
Year: 2013
Model: Golf R
VIN: WVWRF7AJ2CW354982
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 117,000 mi
Location: Stone Park, Illinois
Price: $18,900 Buy It Now
Base Specifications
Condition Used Clear Title
Miles 117,121
Engine 2.0L 4 CYLINDER
Transmission 6 Spd Manual
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
Exterior Color Rising Blue Metallic
Interior Color Titan Black Leather
Stock # 053427
VIN # WVWPF7AJ2DW053427
Warranty Limited Warranty
Some of our used vehicles may be subject to unrepaired safety recalls. Check for a vehicle’s unrepaired recalls by VIN at https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin
Gas Mileage
19 City
27 Hwy
Actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition.
Not much is disclosed, but the condition on this one seems to be pretty good. It’s got an APR exhaust system, which may mean there are more mods hiding, but seems to have been reasonably well cared for. Unlike the lower-tier GTIs, since these were so expensive new and still aren’t super cheap, most have been spared from a life of being beaten on. You’d of course want to do a PPI, but to me you can couple the much better build quality, much nicer interior, more usable package, and punchier drivetrain with the $10,000 in savings and come out way ahead.
-Carter
I’ve always found the build quality of the MK6 R to be much worse than the MK4 R32. Like significantly worse. Then you take away the phenomenal sound of the 3.2 VR6 and you’re left with an uninspired rattle trap that’s quite slow by today’s standards, even when tuned. Buy a MK7 if you want performance or a MK4 if you want personality. Both will give you better build quality