Emperor's new clothes?

[James Gould]

I know that argument  - if safety is paramount, I should buy a Volvo  -  and does my argument mean I'll never be able to have a 2-seater or a coupe (have had an RX-8)  -  if I wanted to buy, and could afford, a new 911, would I say I can't because there are no rear doors nor rear side airbags? of course not  -  point here is, I guess, can have a 3-door Gti OR a 5-dr  -  can have my cake and eat it.....I guess that's the point.

[gizzywizzy]

James

I went for the 5 door option because I've got 2 kids to carry around, just thought it would be so much easier to open one door than have to get out slide the seat forward and let them clamber out tripping over the seatbelt as they come!!!  I didn't opt for the air bags, heard conflicting reports on dangers to little ones.

Also I always think what if we're in a crash and we the parents are knocked unconscious and the kids can't get out.  Nightmares are made of this!

In the end it is your choice and nobody can help you with that, all we can do is pass on advice.  Why don't you take the family down to the dealers and try a 3 door and a 5 and then make a decision on what is best for you and your family.

All the best.

[James Gould]

wise wise words, GW  -  5-dr it is  -  only thing with the rear side airbags is that the kids mustn't have their heads too close to the windows/sides of the rear seats as inflating airbags can bash their heads/neck and cause problems  -  also, have to consider where the impact of the airbags would be on the kids' bodies as oppose to on adults' bodies  -  chest side on adults, heads on kids?? Nothing is perfect but fact is that side rear airbags inflate slightly less quickly/violently/explosively that front airbags and whilst bad stuff can happen with airbags and kids, I hope/trust/believe that the good outweighs the bad  -  bottom line....better an airbag than car door inside the car and 50mph!
Thnx, again
J

[gizzywizzy]

wise wise words, GW  -  5-dr it is  -  only thing with the rear side airbags is that the kids mustn't have their heads too close to the windows/sides of the rear seats as inflating airbags can bash their heads/neck and cause problems  -  also, have to consider where the impact of the airbags would be on the kids' bodies as oppose to on adults' bodies  -  chest side on adults, heads on kids?? Nothing is perfect but fact is that side rear airbags inflate slightly less quickly/violently/explosively that front airbags and whilst bad stuff can happen with airbags and kids, I hope/trust/believe that the good outweighs the bad  -  bottom line....better an airbag than car door inside the car and 50mph!
Thnx, again
J

Makes sense James

All the best

[James Gould]

thnx, GW

[orca]

It's also so easy my 8 year old nephew could steer it. I did mean to say steer as there is no driving involved in a car with DSG.

Don't some rally cars come with semi-automatic gearboxes, plus Formula 1 cars?  I don't think the likes of Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton would agree that there is no driving involved in what they are doing.

[James Gould]

F1 uses it because the difference between winning and losing can be fractions of a second - it's a race, it's about using technology to change gear as quickly as poss and DSG does that  -  but that's not why I drive, I don't need gear changing perfection - I can drive just for the fun of it - and I'd be happy with it in an Aston, Porsche or Ferrari - but I just think my first hot hatch experience needs me to have the manual

[orca]

So does this mean you have definitely made a decision now? 

You mentioned earlier that you haven't read that people wished they had gone for a DSG instead of the manual.  I think the reason could be that most people don't know what DSG is and therefore not bothered.  Manual cars are the majority and the 'norm' in this country.  If DSG was the norm/majority and manual cars were the latest technology then everything would be reversed.

[James Gould]

You're right - I imagine that if I'd had a manual mark V, I'd probably be up for the change but I just feel so comfortable with manual and haven't hot hatched before, I've got to go with the manual
J

[orca]

You can't go wrong with a tried and tested technology like manual.  I get enjoyment driving any car - manual or DSG.  Would not like a proper automatic though.