5 doors are more practical and safer IMO. It scares me to think they cannot get my kids out if I was in a crash if I had 3 doors. Yes I am an over protective mother LOL.
3 door might look better to some but thats not good if your stuck in the thing.
Just easier too with a family. 
Does it really matter? 
Sam xxxxx
Bang on - couldn't have said it better myself.
My position (for those that haven't heard this boring story from me before) is that shortly I'll be changing cars and will have a grand to spend on a motor. After ruling out Vectras / Mondeos etc for a variety of reasons, I opted for the Golf Gti MkII.
Yep - 3 dr looks better IMO, but it had to be 5 door as we'll have a baby in the family come February next year. So at the moment as far as I'm concerned - 5 dorr kicks ass.
I'll get off my soap box and leave now............
