3Door GTI

[G-rig]

3 door's/coupe's look good but maybe i've just grown out of them and would rather have 2 seats if i got a 3 door. They do look a bit more like civics too.

Also easier to load a mountain bike in the back with a 5dr.

[Corey_R]

The difference in appearance is negligable and the seat layout is identical. The reason I bought a new car was that I'd had enough of a 3 door car. Front seat passengers need to get out before the rear seats can be occupied. Rear passengers trip over the seatbelts and fall on their faces. For me, it's no contest - why cripple yourself for absolutely no reason?

I don't think the appearance is negligable at all. If it were, you wouldn't be able to spot the difference between a 3 door and 5 door from a few hundred metres away.





There also IS more width in the rear of the 3dr. It's only about 3cm (according to VW specs) at the hips, but I know what ben is talking about, because there is no door, it feels wider as there is no handle or joins etc.
The front doors are also much longer on the 3dr, which to me makes the front seem much more spacious. After going from my 3dr into my friends 5dr, I feel really 'cramped'. Obviously the space is physically the same, it just feels different because of the positioning of the B-Pillar.

As for friends falling on their faces. I think you need to upgrade to more coordinated friends!

[G-rig]

The good thing about the Golf's is that the 5dr looks just as good!

After going from my 3dr into my friends 5dr, I feel really 'cramped'. Obviously the space is physically the same, it just feels different because of the positioning of the B-Pillar.

Not sure about the physical dimensions (although should be the same interior wise) but i'd feel cramped if i didn't have a door or window that opens, at least mentally.

[Corey_R]

According to the VW specs, the rear occupants of the car have more width in the 3rd model. There is no change for the front. It's just that when you're in the drivers seat of the 3dr, there is nothing obscuring your perhipheral vision. Whereas, in the 5dr you have a B Pillar. The arm rest and door trim is also much longer in the 3dr, giving the appearance of more space.

As for the your comment about not having a window and door... yeah, it's a bit strange if you're sitting in the rear of a 3dr model and are not used to it, but I've been around 2/3 dr cars all my life so it doesn't phase me... plus I'm rarely in the back!

[G-rig]

Yeah, both options are just as 'good' depends what you want. A bit like 6mt vs DSG.

[Corey_R]

Yeah, but the 6mt vs DSG look the same! A 5dr GTI looks too much like a family hatch instead of the sporty little pocket rocket it's supposed to be!

[G-rig]

They aren't sleek sports cars anyway so may as well have some more functionality.

I wouldn't mind a Rocco though.

[Corey_R]

Not sleek, but still sporty, hence the 3dr. If you need more functionality, or more space for the family, the Audi A3 Sportsback is the way to go! You can have the same engine and features but the more practicality/functionality/space to boot!

But yeah... as has been stated numerous times before, when it comes to appearances, it's all in the eye of the beholder. I'd never buy a 5dr GTI though

[G-rig]

My point was that the 5dr Golf look lore sporty than a 5dr A3/S3 which doesn't look nearly as good as the 3dr.

Yea everyone likes the look of different things so no point arguing about it all day..

[MurphyTheElf]

As for friends falling on their faces. I think you need to upgrade to more coordinated friends!

My missus is as clumsy as a blind irishman, but I wouldn't change her for the world.

The faceplants normally occur after nights out on the p1ss. Try picking up and dropping off a couple of drunks in a 3 door - it's a bloody nightmare. Even if they don't injure themselves, they invariably end up doing something to the car. And trust me, having rear windows in this case is godsend.