3-door or 5-door

[James Gould]

Gti Mark VI  -  I prefer the look of the 3-door to the 5-door but, as a family man with kids, can I consider the 3-door when only the 5-door can have rear seat belt warning facility and rear side airbags?
Got a Freelander 2 as well but I don't want the Golf to be put aside everytime we go out as a family.

[gizzywizzy]

We have the 5 door and imho it looks no worse than the 3 door with family members to carry in the back I wanted the security that the 5 door gives eg in an accident at least with back doors kids have a chance of getting out rather than being stuck behind front seats with no chance of getting out.  But that is my opinion and I am a bit of a stickler for safety.

[AlanD]

3 door does look better, only people with 5 doors think they look the same 3 door simply look curvier and more "sporty" as a result.

Depends what you want out the car, when you say kids to mean baby or walking? How hard is it to pull the seat forward to let them out? All down to what you want to do really. If you think the 5 door looks OK but imo the 3 doors looks a worth the sacrifice of moving a seat forward now and again.

[James Gould]

We have the 5 door and imho it looks no worse than the 3 door with family members to carry in the back I wanted the security that the 5 door gives eg in an accident at least with back doors kids have a chance of getting out rather than being stuck behind front seats with no chance of getting out.  But that is my opinion and I am a bit of a stickler for safety.

oops! I can see what you've got  -  ACC worth it?

[James Gould]

3 door does look better, only people with 5 doors think they look the same 3 door simply look curvier and more "sporty" as a result.

Depends what you want out the car, when you say kids to mean baby or walking? How hard is it to pull the seat forward to let them out? All down to what you want to do really. If you think the 5 door looks OK but imo the 3 doors looks a worth the sacrifice of moving a seat forward now and again.

it's the safety thing  -  can't have rear seat belt warning nor rear side airbags in 3-door  -  and ease of getting out in accident G-d Forbid in 5 door

[p3eps]

3 door does look better, only people with 5 doors think they look the same 3 door simply look curvier and more "sporty" as a result.

I totally agree - and you're right in that its always people who have 5 doors says it looks as sporty.  If it did, all VW's press release photos for the R and GTI would be 5 door - but they're not!
The Golf is a great compromise for people who need back doors but want a hot hatch.  Look at the Astra, Civic, Clio, Megane etc - none of these even have an option as a 5 door in their sports model... and the S3 has only introduced the 'sportback' version (which looks like a small estate car!) in the last year.

3 doors for me... but then my back seats are used a handful of times a year!

[James Gould]

3 door does look better, only people with 5 doors think they look the same 3 door simply look curvier and more "sporty" as a result.

I totally agree - and you're right in that its always people who have 5 doors says it looks as sporty.  If it did, all VW's press release photos for the R and GTI would be 5 door - but they're not!
The Golf is a great compromise for people who need back doors but want a hot hatch.  Look at the Astra, Civic, Clio, Megane etc - none of these even have an option as a 5 door in their sports model... and the S3 has only introduced the 'sportback' version (which looks like a small estate car!) in the last year.

3 doors for me... but then my back seats are used a handful of times a year!

no-one can make the decision for me, I guess

[Snoopy]

I totally agree - and you're right in that its always people who have 5 doors says it looks as sporty.  If it did, all VW's press release photos for the R and GTI would be 5 door - but they're not!
The Golf is a great compromise for people who need back doors but want a hot hatch.  Look at the Astra, Civic, Clio, Megane etc - none of these even have an option as a 5 door in their sports model... and the S3 has only introduced the 'sportback' version (which looks like a small estate car!) in the last year.

3 doors for me... but then my back seats are used a handful of times a year!

The older Megan 225 renaultsport had a 5 door option, the new coupe version as you say does not.

[AlanD]

3 doors for me... but then my back seats are used a handful of times a year!

lol same !

The joys of being a single 22 year old

[gizzywizzy]

oops! I can see what you've got  -  ACC worth it?
[/quote]

Yeah ACC is well worth it imo.  I generally use it on comfort because the roads round here are pretty windy and up and down so I really find it softens the ride up.  I like the sports setting when I'm bombing down the motorway feels like I'm in the best sports car in the world then.  ACC is fun if you fancy it I would get it.