GTI 3 door vs 5 door

[Corey_R]

I don't have a pony tail and I'm not balding, so, genetically, I am not able to buy a sports coupe, haha.

We wanted a nice looking hatchback and had a preference for a 3dr. VW Aus kept teasing, yes, no, maybe... As soon as we got confirmation from VW Aus that Mk5 3dr GTI were going to be available we put our money on the line and reserved one.

I can see the reason for 5 doors, and in fact, I used to think 3drs were a dumb idea. But after seeing the Mk4 R32 and then having my MINI and seeing that a 3dr hatch is not as impractical as I first thought (yes, even a MINI) I was converted.

But like others, if there is a market for them, I can't see why anyone would care or not if 3dr Golfs were offered.

I don't mind the Scirocco theory, but still reckon a 3dr GTI will always be where it's at. That's the only configuration they were made in for almost a decade, so that's just the way it is.

A+
I totally agree Lima

[MurphyTheElf]

But you don't understand. If VWA did that, then they'd lose my business and the business of others.

Yes, I made a polarising assertion, but I stand by it as my opinion.

I mean lets face it guys, you have one opinion, I and many others have another opinion. If 3 door hatch backs were truly as silly as you think, then why is there such a demand for them that so many companies make them?

In general, 3 door hatchbacks are not silly, but some of the arguments above are silly. Like saying you don't want to drive something that looks like a family hatchback, expecting people to ignore the body shape, roof line, front end, back end and focus simply on the fact that you have 2 side doors and think "whoa this guy is a mad playa fo shizzle".

It shoudl be determined by how often you take 3 passengers. If you are by yourself or a couple then 5 doors is not needed and you might as well look a bit slicker in a 2 door and have less NVH, weight??? and possibly better handling due to a stiffer shell.

If you link a track test between identically spec'ed 3 and 5 door Golf's that show a marked improvement in lap times based on the shell rigidity, then I'll mark that as a valid argument. But i honestly don't see it as making a hell of a difference.

The other major consideration is resale. 3 doors are going to be a more specific market and could command a higher price but be harder to sell. This is like Black cars. It is well documented in the car selling industry that black cars -particularly black mercs or bmw's - are harder to sell but when you do sell one they sell for a 10% premium on the silver/white/other colours.

3 doors cars are cheaper new, yet sell for more on the second hand market? I put this in the same category as The Da Vinci Code being on the bestseller list. A fool and their money are soon parted.

[Corey_R]

In general, 3 door hatchbacks are not silly, but some of the arguments above are silly. Like saying you don't want to drive something that looks like a family hatchback, expecting people to ignore the body shape, roof line, front end, back end and focus simply on the fact that you have 2 side doors and think "whoa this guy is a mad playa fo shizzle".

Here you are 100% wrong.
The arguments are not silly, because they are OUR opinions. Just like YOUR opinion is that VWA should not sell the Golf in 3 door just because you don't like it.

So if you aren't silly, we aren't silly.
Agreed?!

[MurphyTheElf]

Here you are 100% wrong.
The arguments are not silly, because they are OUR opinions. Just like YOUR opinion is that VWA should not sell the Golf in 3 door just because you don't like it.

I don't necessarily dislike the 3 door, I just think it would be a better fit to have a completely different car offered. VW have asserted they don't want to cannibalise sales of the 3 door Golf by offering the Scirocco, but they just might pick up more sales in total. In fact, my completely uneducated guess is that they almost certainly maybe would.

So if you aren't silly, we aren't silly.
Agreed?!

Nope. You definitely silly.

But so am I.

[Lima]

I don't necessarily dislike the 3 door, I just think it would be a better fit to have a completely different car offered. VW have asserted they don't want to cannibalise sales of the 3 door Golf by offering the Scirocco, but they just might pick up more sales in total. In fact, my completely uneducated guess is that they almost certainly maybe would.

When replacing my MINI I would have def considered buying a Scirocco (I think they look great) to go with our 3dr GTI, but I didn't have the opportunity and the Mk6 GTI was still a while away, so I bought an Audi instead.

Oh, 3drs are a bit more unique too. So, on a day when you can see 10 GTIs in normal traffic it's nice to have one that's often a little more different than the norm. If we needed the practicality of a 5dr I'd still consider a GTI, or any other Golf for that matter.

[andylena]

3rd definately looks better

[bigmouthmedia]

I once had a 3 door Barina (the nicer Euro one) and I vowed never to get another 3 door because of the exit/entry issues - especially if you're in a carpark next to (a) a pillar, (b) another car. Yes, good if you don't have a lot of passengers, but 5 is just fine

[G-rig]

A+
I totally agree Lima

Well they didn't have DSG for a long time either, have to move with the times!!

There's no right or wrong but I go for 5dr as they look almost as good and more practical. 3dr is ok too but you'd have to sell it if you had kids etc.

Also the mk4 R32 3 dr looks a lot tough than the mk5 3dr.

[MurphyTheElf]

Well they didn't have DSG for a long time either, have to move with the times!!

Same with ABS, EBD, XDL, etc etc. Many will say that it diminishes the raw driving experience, but it improves safety and lap times in most cases. Evolution is king.

[xblode]

I love the comments that essentially translate (to me) into;

3 doors for the young guns, 5 doors for grandpa.
5 doors are an affront to the GTI name.

I know quiet a few car wholesalers and dealers and they all tell me that come selling time, you will lose a lot more than you saved getting a 3 door instead of a 5 door.

It will take longer to sell and yes, some will get a bit of a premium if the right buyer comes along but on average, you will be disappointed.