GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: ChrisbGTI72 on 17 November 2009, 21:54
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I am in the process of looking for a Mk Gti.
I have quite a high spec list to match, but I am in no real hurry. I want to get the best car I can for my money not just get myself a set of wheels as fast as I can.
Ideally I want a 5doors as we are expecting a baby next May and the GTI will become the family car. After another unsuccessful search I decided to opt for the 3dr option on my Autotrader search, not only did I manage to find more cars similar to my spec, but for less money aswell. I have found a car that ticks every one of my wish list and is in budget and even has low mileage. I'm now just debating why the 3dr would be less money and could I justify getting one if I'm going to have to load a baby on board via the fronts seats :undecided:
Thoughts please??
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I've got a three door and although they look good they are not the most practical of beasts!Luckily I very rarely use the back seats but I wouldnt want one if I had a kid. At the end of the day tho its up to you mate. depends how desperate you are.
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I have a 3 year old and a 9 month old. I have a 5 door and it has been perfect for me.
I always thought that a 3 door would be manageable, but now with experience a 5 door is the way ahead.
Accessing the kids seats in the back from a 3 door will be very hard to do especially once the kid becomes heavier, i mean 9 months onwards, especially for the wife
trust me go for practicability not looks etc
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I don't have kids and am a 22 year old so the looks of the 3 door was the only option for me. I personally wouldn't fancy trying to load the back seat with a kid every day with a 3 door.
I'd buy the mrs a small car and let her deal with the kids and keep the GTI for yourself, that way you the 3 door shouldn't be a problem :D
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My youngest is 16 now & hardley ever comes with us when we go out but i still went for the 5 door option.It makes life so much easier even for the dog getting in.(big plastic seat protecter covers whole rear seat/bench. :grin:).
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If you are going 3 door you might as well buy a 2002 911 turbo.
5 doors are so much better for real life of kids, dogs, tight parking spaces and comfy seatbelts.
That's why the 3 doors come cheap.
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If you are going 3 door you might as well buy a 2002 911 turbo.
5 doors are so much better for real life of kids, dogs, tight parking spaces and comfy seatbelts.
I agree, but the 5-door looks Fugly :)
Not sure you'd get 3 kids in the back of a 911, LOL!
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If you're having a baby you need a 5 door with an Isofix base in the back. It couldn't be easier.
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5 door everytime, esp with kids.
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5 door all the way I've got an 11 month old and its. Just easyer
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Had my 3 door GTI now for 20 months and my daughter is nearly 2 years old so I am well experienced in this matter and had a similar dilemma.
What I can advise is my gti is the main family car and the 3 door has been fine so far. To be honest the front seat slides quite far forward giving you plenty of room to get the child in or out. Also when your strapping them in you dont get wet as your actually standing in the rear of the car.
However there is a drawback, older they get, heavier they get and it is starting to show. I am now thinking of a 5 door but cant justify spending the extra money for one when it is the same car just with two extra doors.
One thing that I would advise is that if your using it to transport kids, make sure you get leather seats as they are so easy to wipe clean when the spill milk in the back.
If the car is right for you and its 3 door just go for it but if your going to keep it over 2 years get a 5 door.
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5 door any day! Apart from all the obvious advantages IMHO I think the 5 door looks more the business!
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If the car is right for you and its 3 door just go for it but if your going to keep it over 2 years get a 5 door.
What sort of advice is that? What difference does it make if you plan on keeping it for 2 years?
I've got 2 older kids (3 & 7 yo) and they are both fine with a 3-door - they can both operate the front seat latch without a problem.
I agree that for younger kids the 5 door is the way to go, but if you have a new family you probably want a bigger car than the Golf to get all the stuff in that young children, especialy babies need, as a full size pushchair fills most of the boot up.
HTH
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If the car is right for you and its 3 door just go for it but if your going to keep it over 2 years get a 5 door.
What sort of advice is that? What difference does it make if you plan on keeping it for 2 years?
HTH
:huh: Jees soz pal! What I am trying to say is that I have found it ok so far with a 3 door but now the little one is coming up to 2 years old its getting more difficult to get her in the back. So what I meant was that if your planning on only keeping the car 2 years then its not really a problem. Sorry but my kid cant use the latch yet, only 21 month! Hopefully when she is old enough to use the latch herself it might be easier, OK!
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Thanks to ALL of you for the great advice.
Going by the majority I think 5 doors is the way to go, so therefore I should just wait and be patient (2 things I'm not that good at) for the right spec GTI to come along :undecided:
I agree that 3 doors is a better looking car, I used to have 2 3dr Golf GTI's (Mk3 & Mk4) before I got into Audi TT's, but practicality is my main requirement now. As for going bigger than a Golf, I really hope it doesn't come to that as I just don't think I'm going to get as much enjoyment from driving an Audi A4 Avant or BMW 3 series Touring?
There seems to be quite a few GTI's out there, but with such varying specs, mileages and prices! I'm after the following....
must haves....
5 Doors
Black
Full Leather
18'' Monza II's
Average mileage
DSG
would also like....
sunroof
Xenons
Sat Nav
up to £15,000
I have looked at a couple, but none have been totally my spec or have just not been cared for. My 2.5yr old TT was immaculate when I sold it and I would like to find a Golf in a similar condition. I do have time on my side as I do have my wife's VW Lupo to drive around in, but after years of enjoyable driving in quick cars my street cred is decreasing very quickly!! :grin:
Thanks again guys. The search goes on.
I'm currently searching...
Autotrader
Pistonheads
VW Used Car Locator
any others you'd recommend?
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Its your choice really - on aesthetics and price. I don't have kids, but my mother managed with us three kids with a 3 door escort for when we were growing up and she's only 4ft11!
So I wouldnt decide on a 5-dr purely because you have kids, sure it might be a bit easier.. but nothing you cant handle. Parents these days are just pussys :D
3-dr looks nicer, and if you say they are cheaper - then thats another positive!
Loads of room in the 3-dr and if grown men can get in and out of the back with ease, then children would be even easier. Go with your head though.
The plus side in buying a Golf GTI is that it will hold its value very well (most over the year have actually risen in price), so if you find with a 3-dr and it doesnt work for you - sell it and buy a 5-dr :)
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A 3 door will be fine for one child. I used to have a 3 door mkIV golf V5 and it was never a problem getting the little tyke in and out of the back seat.
But, if you're thinking about having another one within 3 - 4 years then i'd be looking at a 5 door. when our second came along it wasnt long before my wife couldnt reach back in the 3 door to lift and then fasten our first child in.
Where are you located mate?
I'll be putting my 5 door up for sale as soon as i can find a touran to the spec i want (we're having another)
it ticks all your boxes apart from its laser blue, not black.
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i got a 5 door and its great if you have a kid.
i borrowed my mums 3 door astra when she went on holiday and its a right pain in the arse. and having a new born wil be tougher as the baby has to be facing backwards for like a year or so.
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Anybody else share my opinion that the 5 door is a better looking car?
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Anybody else share my opinion that the 5 door is a better looking car?
As a 5 door owner I would have to say.... no :grin:
They are better looking but (obviously) not quite as practical but more than that I really hate the fact that my fiancee's polo is a 3 door and the doors even on that are fecking big and you have to be a lot more carefull about opening the doors in car parks and the like.
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Anybody else share my opinion that the 5 door is a better looking car?
I wouldn't say better, but it still looks great. VW really made the 5 door shape flow as well as the 3 door shape.
As for practicality, you can get on fine with the 3 door but after a while it will annoy you. One of the guys I work with got an A3 sportback when the kid came because hauling everything in and out of his+the wife's 3 door Astra was getting more and more difficult and annoying. The 5 door makes life easier and according to him and my own parents, anything that makes life with a newborn easier is a godsend :wink:
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Anybody else share my opinion that the 5 door is a better looking car?
Actually, yes I do. Personally I think it looks better proportioned and the 3 door looks too tail heavy. (Sorry, guys :embarassed:)
To the OP: You are right to wait for a good 5dr. I did just because I often have rear seat passengers and I know a few friends who really struggle with car seats etc with 3dr cars.
I searched a while for the right car, too. Had to travel to get it, but have satnav, xenons, winter pack, cruise, PDC etc... so am well pleased.
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5drs rule! :cool:
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For every day use, with kids - 5 door. Far easier access for you and them. Far better if an adult needs to ride in the back with them. Makes emergency car park nappy changes/spills/sickness easier to deal with. Speaking of emergencies, should the worst occur and you get in a bad accident, it's quicker and easier to access the rear seats with 5 doors.
5drs rule! :cool:
for family cars. :smiley:
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A 3 door will be fine for one child. I used to have a 3 door mkIV golf V5 and it was never a problem getting the little tyke in and out of the back seat.
But, if you're thinking about having another one within 3 - 4 years then i'd be looking at a 5 door. when our second came along it wasnt long before my wife couldnt reach back in the 3 door to lift and then fasten our first child in.
Where are you located mate?
I'll be putting my 5 door up for sale as soon as i can find a touran to the spec i want (we're having another)
it ticks all your boxes apart from its laser blue, not black.
I'm based in Herts, but would travel for the right car.
I would prefer Black, but I do quite like Laser Blue as a 2nd choice.
Get in touch when you are selling and we can go from there.
Cheers
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5 door looks good in right colour, like black! ;-)
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Anybody else share my opinion that the 5 door is a better looking car?
As a 5 door owner I would have to say.... no :grin:
They are better looking but (obviously) not quite as practical but more than that I really hate the fact that my fiancee's polo is a 3 door and the doors even on that are fecking big and you have to be a lot more carefull about opening the doors in car parks and the like.
Thats the one thing I would say - the doors are HUGE!
But if anyone's missus is complaining they can't physically put a child into a three door... well all I can say, is I know who wears the trousers in your relationship :D
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5 door looks good in right colour, like black! ;-)
........like mine. :smiley:
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its very simple
3dr = hot hatch
5dr = old mans family car
Stop trying to have your cake and eat it.
You're all MPV owners in denial :smiley:
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It's simple
3 door = billy no mates
5 door = popular guy
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It's simple
3 door = billy no mates
5 door = popular guy
LOL !
Oh so wrong ;)
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its very simple
3dr = hot hatch
5dr = old mans family car
Stop trying to have your cake and eat it.
You're all MPV owners in denial :smiley:
:laugh:
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It's simple
3 door = billy no mates
5 door = popular guy
LOL !
Oh so wrong ;)
Very! ;)
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Very ghay
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A simple poll of age and number of door should fix this :rolleyes:
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A simple poll of age and number of door should fix this :rolleyes:
:D :D :D
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the dogs borrocks = 5 door
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its very simple
3dr = hot hatch
5dr = old mans family car
Stop trying to have your cake and eat it.
You're all MPV owners in denial :smiley:
By your logic:
Lotus Carlton, Sierra Saff Cossie, EVO VI TME = old man's family car
Kia Rio 1.4, Toyota Aygo, Nissan Micra = hot hatch :rolleyes:
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A simple poll of age and number of door should fix this
63 = 5 DOOR
But if I was still 21.................. 21 = 5 DOOR
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37 = 0 Doors (but looking for 5 doors :wink:)
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30 = 3 DOOR
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20 = 5 door, cause my guitar won't fit in a 3 door. Not easily at least. Bass amp or stack in the boot and guitar and other bits accross the back seats.
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22= 3 door
I've tried to get similar pictures and I'm sorry, but the curvy bit on the 3 door rear window just simply looks better. Anyone who says otherwise is on drugs or owns a 5 door but wants a 3 door.
(http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/introduce-yourself/158000d1247415267-hello-south-africa-volkswagen-golf_gti_5door_2004_800x600_wallpaper_03.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb292/DPG69/GTI/GTI1.jpg)
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44 got to be 3 door
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64 x 3 door :laugh:
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64 x 3 door = 192 door...........??????
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Oh and
22 - 3 Door
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34 - 5 door
Three door looks like there is something missing - like two other doors.
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24 - 3 door
Looking at the pictures above the 5-door rear window has some ugly looking trim running down , whereas us 3-doors have a lovely sleek curve.
All 3-doors have bigger doors than the equiveilent 5-door model (any car any model), its standard procedure, if you want 3 doors then you have to live with doors 10cm bigger than normal - after a short period i got used to the change without any problems
Kids and wife= 5 door
Wife/Mrs/Anyoldslapper = 3 door
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29 - no kids, just lots of friends..... 5 doors because it looks better though :cool:
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38 - don't give a sh!t who likes 3dr or 5 dr
Get over it and get out and drive it, they both drive the same
Now shut up and get out and get a life
I'm only writing this cause i'm stuck at work for 28 days :cry:
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38 - don't give a sh!t who likes 3dr or 5 dr
Get over it and get out and drive it, they both drive the same
Now shut up and get out and get a life
I'm only writing this cause i'm stuck at work for 28 days :cry:
........ :grin: :smug: :laugh: :grin:.
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Wifey has 3-dr and ferry's kids about.
She loves the looks over a 5 but hates the ...er...hum.......easy entry seats.
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29 - no kids, just lots of friends..... 5 doors because it looks better though :cool:
Oh no mate ! I liked you aswell :(
:D ;)
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29 - no kids, just lots of friends..... 5 doors because it looks better though :cool:
Oh no mate ! I liked you aswell :(
:D ;)
Why i like you too Alan.... just dont let me catch you with your finger in my sugarbowl :wink: you feel me knocking!! :grin:
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Wife/Mrs/Anyoldslapper = 3 door
What a way with words... :laugh:
Me, 27. Have a five-door, would prefer three, it's just not practical for me.
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45 - 5drs - It was a concession to the wife as her parents are elderly and would kill themselves getting into a 3dr. Now she has her own car and I keep telling her I could have had a 3dr!! :angry:
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29 - 5 Door.
I tend to like 3, but I feel the Golf MK5 looks much better in the 5 door variety. That and the fact I have two young children, so makes life much easier to have doors in the back!
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27, no kids, 5 door for me,
Nightmare trying to get a dog in a 3 door!
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Looking to buy my first GTI and this has been one of my quandaries. At 31 (still young I hope) I think the 3 door definitely has the edge on looks but having got in and out of a couple of my mates, those doors are just too dam big!
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36 yo, no kids.
5 doors all the way (and always been the way for me).
Just don't get the whole '3 door is sportier - 5 doors is family motoring'.
To me, 5 doors looks more balanced. More practical, and not just in terms of getting in to the back seats. 3 doors are ridiculously big and a nightmare in tight spaces.
M
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35, 2 kids under 6, 5 door, = No brainer. Not keen on the 3 door personally.
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27. 5 doors.
Personally I don't like the look of the 3 door MK5, and have always found 3 door cars to be a pain.
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25 = 5 door
Would prefer a 3 door though
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33 2 kids 1 is 5 and 1 is 3 had to be a 5 door :smiley:
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25 - no kids - 3 door all the way, never even considered getting a 5 door.
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I was in a head-on smash in my 5-door a couple of months ago. Fuel and fluids everywhere. The 2 rear doors were still fully functional but I reckon in a 3-door, if I'd had rear passengers, they'd have been stuck in the car until the fire brigade arrived. When I saw that I swore I'd never get a 3 door.
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5 door all they way.
I'm not that fussed about looks (why I have 17inch wheels) and am more about how useful/practical the car will be. It is a hatchback after all and not a 2 seater sports car.
As have been said before the GTI is a car for all occasions and therefore 5 doors is better than 3 :smiley:
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I'm new to golf ownership (MK5 GTI) but having seen them around for a few years have to say that I don't get the comments that the 5 door looks good :rolleyes: Having said that I don't think any Golf is that great in the looks department, the 3 door does look more befitting of a "hot hatch" though.
The main reason to buy a Golf is how they drive, that's what convinced me anyway...so looks aside, considering your requirements the 5 door will be the best bet, easily more practical
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45, 1 kid of 10 years and loads of her pals in the car...I have a 3 door but would prefer the practicality of the 5 now...
Also the slidey seats are a pita tbh.
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5 door all they way.
I'm not that fussed about looks (why I have 17inch wheels) and am more about how useful/practical the car will be. It is a hatchback after all and not a 2 seater sports car.
As have been said before the GTI is a car for all occasions and therefore 5 doors is better than 3 :smiley:
Well summed up. It's not the sports car some think, it's a hatch that can be sporty when in the mood.
It can also carry a fridge in the back or 5 passengers in comfort. It's the only car you'll ever need.
5 doors by the way.
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26, 1 little'un nearly 2. Got a 3 door even though my last car was a 5 door.
At this age i think the 3 door is easier, more space in front to buckle her in and what not, plus I don't have to worry about her winding windows down or pulling door handles.
That said, slidy seats suck balls, and in a year or 2 I think I will regret it but 3 door does look better! (IMO)
Not that I should really give a sh!t, I barely drive it.
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there is a button to switch off the electric window controls on the back doors and also there are the child locks on the rear doors too. No need to worry about those things :smiley:
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Deep down Sambo knows the 3 door looks much better lol ;)
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27 = 5 doors
My first car was a 5-dr fiesta and giving mates and family a lift was just so easy. As a passenger, I've always hated having to try to squeeze into the backseat of a 3-dr. It was a no brainer when buying the GTI. Though I think the 3dr looks better than the 5dr.
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For me the 5 door option and the DSG were the GTI's USP.
I never wanted a VW and always found the Golf models butt ugly (still do tbh).
But I did want a low priced, fast, family sized hatchback, with 5 doors and a decent auto box.
The VW was the only car that fitted the bill.
Really glad I bought one.