Your opinion: 3 door vs. 5 door - Appearance vs. Practicality?

[Justin Fox]

I've always been a 2 door person. Less weight, cleaner lines and sportier look and feel. Even with the Mitsubishi EVO I had I wished it was a 2 door.

I've been looking at heaps of Golfs lately (:lol:) and HEAPS of them are 4 doors. I'm pretty sure the original GTI MK1 only came in 2 doors (correct me if I'm wrong) but it looks like more people these days are going for the 4 door (would be interesting to see the sales figures of 3 vs. 5 doors) and even R32 Golfs come in the 4 door version.

Discuss!

[shida]

I have come across that same dilemma! I've always owned 2 doors! My Mazda was my first 4 door, I knew I needed the practicality, living with two boys that both owned 2 doors, it was time for someone in the family to "man up" with a 4 door. So of course - me being the female in the house becomes the first!

I personally LOVE the 2 door Golf's, BUT thinking practicality, and the fact that I plan on owning it for quite some time, I'd hate for poor Willis to not have his own door! :lol: I guess not only that, it makes cleaning the car alot easier too! Rather than reaching and climbing into the back seats, I can just get through the door! woo! win win!

I'd love to hear from a 2 dr owner how much space is in the back though??

[Big Yellow]

before i bought mine, i wanted a 3 door, but my missus insisted in a 5 door.

in terms of space, the back seat leg room is the same, but width is marginally wider as there are no doors.

but looking back now, im glad i got a 5 door as it is soooooo much easier to put things in the back!! and plus, everytime i had to pick somebody up with the missus in the car, she would NEVER get out so i had to get out and fold my seat forward etc etc. LOL LOL

a + for 3 door is that they dont have a stupid blind spot created by the B-pillar!

[Cam]

When I was GTI shopping I came across a few 3 door MKV GTI's.
I love the look, but I often have people in the back of the car and it would be such a PITA to have to get out and muck around with the seat.

Resale value....I'm not sure there was much difference. Both 3 doors that were advertised on carsales were around the same price as most of the 5 doors. If anything, I think there would be better resale value on a 5dr as thats what people seem to be after.

All depends how many people you have in the car on a regular basis. If you're the only one in the car most of the time I say go for the 3dr.
>D

[10d]

3 door, I say.
Looks better, and pretty sure most of the time will only be just you +1 and the bikes.
Plus if you going to strip it out and put cage in it, the back doors will be useless.

[Justin Fox]

Some great points above.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4374790223_f75893a51b.jpg
In these magazines nearly all, if not all, of the highly modified cars are 4 doors! Interesting!

[jazzle]

if you going track spec with stripped interior, go 3 door.

if not, doesn't really matter, go for the cheaper bargain

[Nardi330]

if u are tall and don't mind 2dr, get the 2dr.

I TD the 2dr and bought a 4dr. when i got my car, the B pillar was right in my face for shoulder check.

also 2dr are made in Germany while 4dr are made in sth africa, if that matters.

[Frenchie]

My intention was always to opt for a 4dr.
Love the look personally
Practicality is big plus
With our 1st baby due in a few months and being our only car for now you can understand how a 3dr wouldn't of worked.

I thing I noticed is I have now more room in the back seats of the golf then I did in my Forester but bootspace in the Forester was enough to smuggle some people across the border.

[Justin Fox]

also 2dr are made in Germany while 4dr are made in sth africa, if that matters.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

[Big Yellow]

if u are tall and don't mind 2dr, get the 2dr.

I TD the 2dr and bought a 4dr. when i got my car, the B pillar was right in my face for shoulder check.

also 2dr are made in Germany while 4dr are made in sth africa, if that matters.

Not for r32 though! All versions made in germany!!

[Justin Fox]

Not for r32 though! All versions made in germany!!

Awwwww yeah! :cool:

[jazzle]

wait?? are we talkign about MKV only??

i remember reading somewhere all mkvi golfs are made in germany?

[Big Yellow]

wait?? are we talkign about MKV only??

i remember reading somewhere all mkvi golfs are made in germany?

Yeah mkv only. Mk6 now all made in germany.

[Frenchie]

R32's are made in the motherland.

[CaptainColen]

But 4doors look better AND are more practical?

[Nardi330]

oops didn't make it clear.

sth african Golf only applies to mkv 4dr excludes R32.

[dopey]

Personally when it comes to later model Golfs (MK4 onwards) I prefer the look of the 4dr. The added practicality is a bonus.

[Justin Fox]

Definitely a case of each to their own which I always respect :)

http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2009/03/31/vw_Golf_GTI_6_L_700.jpg

http://www.carblog.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/new-golf-gti-1.jpg

The front and rear are exactly the same.

The 2 door has a lot less lines than the 4 door:
- less door shut lines
- less that line/pillar between the rear window and the rear 1/4 window
- It has 2 door handles less
- It has 2 rear 1/4 windows less

To me it looks cleaner, more minimalist. Nice if you believe that less is more but that's not all. The 2 door has a much nicer longer door. Compare the 2 doors front door to the 4 doors short front door. It also makes a much nicer shape with it's rear side window. Have a look at the bottom right corner of the rear side window glass. The 2 door has a nice curve there, the 4 door tries to curve it back but cuts it quite suddenly into a straight line.

Having said all that the 4 door is growing on me! I like it more and more. :cool:

[dopey]

2dr is certainly nice but I to me they appear a little on the stubby side. The long door is damn nice for sure but the rear quarter glass doesn't look as great in my opinion. If you follow the line on the bottom of the door glass on the 4dr it matches perfectly with the line for the rear hatch glass. I really dig this part about the car because it also matches perfectly with the crease in the panel below the windows, where as the more rounded end on the 2dr tends to pull away from this. It's a personal perspective thing no doubt :) Really nitpicking on tiny details here!

[SUGA]

Some really good points there dopey, never saw it that way.
I personally love the 2 door appearance wise, I rarely carry more than 1 person at a time and if I do, it's only at my passengers own discomfort to climb into the back :P Things like being unable to reach for clothing I've casually thrown onto the backseats and the pain of climbing inside the car to vacuum are pretty annoying, but I can live with it! So appearance over practicality for me!

[sir_camel]

I LOVE the look of 3dr white MKV and MKVI golf's! I know for me now that having the 3dr isn't a huge hassle on the practicality front. No babies or the like anywhere near being on the horizon but understand if families are planned then 5dr is the way to go. As you say Justin, the cleanness of the lines of the 3dr i really like. 5dr gets a bit busy near rear windows.

[Justin Fox]

I really dig this part about the car because it also matches perfectly with the crease in the panel below the windows, where as the more rounded end on the 2dr tends to pull away from this.
Hey I didn't even look at that bit, nice! I like seeing things through different eyes! Cheers for that! :)

[Jig]

I purchased the 3 door because I have 5 door cars. That is the only reason. If I had to do it all over again though, I would still get the 3 door. Just looks more compact. The failings of the 3 door is simply the door is too long and hard to get out and in in tight car spaces.

[G-rig]

3dr does look a little sportier but also like the chunky look of the 5dr, which looks almost as good anyway IMO and the 3dr isn't really a sports coupe etc.

Just not worth the risk of having to sell a car unexpectedly if your situation changes or you need extra doors.

Still find it easier to put bikes in the back when you can open the rear door but prob not impossible with a 3dr anyway.

For anyone considering track i'd def get a 3dr, the door rubbers on mine squark and carry on so less movement the better.

I'd still get a 3dr S3 as i like the original configuration but think a 5dr Golf looks better than a 5dr A3 (however they are growing on me now).

I doubt everyone will ever agree on this and it's personal preference.

[David]

but looking back now, im glad i got a 5 door as it is soooooo much easier to put things in the back!! and plus, everytime i had to pick somebody up with the missus in the car, she would NEVER get out so i had to get out and fold my seat forward etc etc. LOL LOL




Dude, time for a new missus!

I'd go 3 door for the cleaer lines. Aren't 3 and 5 door GTi's made in different countries?

[G-rig]

Dude, time for a new missus!

I'd go 3 door for the cleaer lines. Aren't 3 and 5 door GTi's made in different countries?

All R32s made in Germany, MK5 5 dr's were SA. Now they are all made in Germany (ie MK6). Where it's made isn't proportional to the number of rattles haha.

The lines aren't that much cleaner still the same hatchback more or less.

[R32Perth]

I got a 3 door and love the look. Can understand the practicality of the 5 door.
My wife has a Honda CRV and when we go out as a family (Wife and Daughter) we tend to take the CRV. 5 Door for practicality, 3 door for looks

[bigwill]

i got a 3dr but if i had to do it again, ill opt for the 5dr. A little more practical, a little more modest and looks a cleaner

[Justin Fox]

OMFG 3 door MK4's are SOOOOOOO RARE! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frenchie]

Unless you get yourself a MKIV R32 !!

[Justin Fox]

Pusher!

[Frenchie]

Do it Justin! Do it!

I love the shape of the MKIV R32 just wish I could have my MKV interior/DSG.

[saad]

3 door. I rarely carry people in the back, and am thinking of removing the rear seats and making a rear seat delete.

3 door looks lot nicer, and sportier, and a lot cleaner. Sure its less 'practical' but only if you need the rear.

Plus the original GTI was only a 3 door.

[Tim]

this is easy and has been covered on plenty other forums but im always happy to stir

3 Door = GTI
5 Door = Shopping trolley

Too many practical minds and not enough people who are passionate about these cars and their heritage

[Lima]

this is easy and has been covered on plenty other forums but im always happy to stir

3 Door = GTI
5 Door = Shopping trolley

Too many practical minds and not enough people who are passionate about these cars and their heritage

+1 :lol:

[Lima]

OMFG 3 door MK4's are SOOOOOOO RARE! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apart from Mk4 R32s (Australian delivered R32s were made in Bratislava IIRC) the Mk4 wasn't officially available in a 3dr layout. However, there are a few around, as about 10-12 made it here due to a "bungled order" supposedly. For some reason quite a few of them were sold in Canberra. None had air conditioning either, from memory.

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-001.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-002.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-003.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-004.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-005.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-006.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-007.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-008.jpg

http://www.liam27.com/vw/vw-lennock-009.jpg

[wilch]

I much prefer the proportions of the 3 door. It wasn't until a friend of mine, who's a Golf fanatic, brought it to my attention that I noticed that the interior in a 3 door also feels different. The length in the door helps with the whole, "this 3 door Golf GTi feels like a coupe" feeling that you get when you sit in a 3 door.

It feels less like a hatch from the drivers seat in a 3 door.

[Lima]

Here's a comparison pic from back in the day...

http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/2006/GTGs/IMG5491/115816075_eA3GE-L.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/2006/GTGs/IMG5492/115816430_2bEAQ-L.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/2006/GTGs/IMG5491comparo/115867651_8f5TF-L.jpg

[G-rig]

5 dr is fine it's not going to make the car into a porsche or something.

[MasterKevin]

yeh im a 3 door perosn myself, but i couldn't wait for my 3 door mk6 so i bought the 5 door one :P

[G-rig]

5 door looks almost as good without the inconvenience ;).

[Tim]

I cant believe you made the same mistake twice G-rig! :D

3 Door means you will never be the designated driver ever again.

[G-rig]

3 door looks like a shell tacked on the back of 2 doors LOL. Good if you're a 19 yo guy i guess.

[bwen]

I wanted a 5 door but was offered a good price on a 3 door for my car so I jumped on the offer :(

[G-rig]

That was a good buy bwen and looks good. I'm just over the whole 3dr vs 5dr discussion as they are almost the same car and I'd rather a scirocco coupe if I wanted 3 drs.

[random]

Definitely 3 doors, it is a much better looking car and the REAL hatch backs. 3 doors just look right, 5 doors they just squashed the front door, so they could fit a back door in.

BUT in saying that, 5 doors are more practical, a family would more likely buy a 5 door car than a 3 door car, so a small car yet practical, but not what it was originally designed for.

[Rayjuice]

3 doors definately looks more sporty but having said that...
Sometimes i wished i had 5 doors because the hassel of people getting in and out
smacking their heads, squashing my recaros, and falling out into the doors

[Justin Fox]

10000% prefer the 3-Door over the 5 (I unfortunately have a 5 door). It's just so much sexier with it's cleaner lines. I was looking for a 3 door but was too impatient to wait for the right one.

[10d]

10000% prefer the 3-Door over the 5 (I unfortunately have a 5 door). It's just so much sexier with it's cleaner lines. I was looking for a 3 door but was too impatient to wait for the right one.

Same here!

[Pharkus]

I had to get the 5 door to justify the ride as a potential "family" car, hence also no Recaros.

[Tim]

5 door owners = http://www.vr6.com.au/images/whipped.jpg

[G-rig]

Lol nice drawing.

Did you just sell a 3dr GTI Tim? How hard was it?

3dr would be better for the track, less stuff to move when you're throwing it around hard.

Better off doing a few mods than worrying about number of doors as it's not hard to make these cars look good anyway.

[Pharkus]

5 door owners = http://www.vr6.com.au/images/whipped.jpg

Maybe I should go clean my wheels =P

<----- I also have a dog, so easier to get the lil fella into the back.

[Tim]

took me about 3 months to sell it or something like that. I wasnt really counting the days.

It was a 3 door manual with xenons and leather.

All the people that come to look at it were specifically after a 3 door and most tried to get it cheaper. I could have sold it within a couple weeks If I had have accepted market value but I held out to get $3000 - $4000 above the market value.

I had a few arguments with young asian guys complaining that it was too expensive compared to the other cars on market. Told them to go buy one of them to which they then replied with "theyre all 5 doors & DSG"

I think you will find as time goes by the 3 door cars will command an even bigger premium over the 5 doors as there are just so few around. Demand will increase as the average age of the owners decreases.

I was also able to sell the euro plates, 19" wheels and left over stock suspension components for another $3000.

[Tim]

Maybe I should go clean my wheels =P

<----- I also have a dog, so easier to get the lil fella into the back.

Dogs belong in the boot. Just take the rear parcel tray off.

In my world dogs are smelly, messy things that should live outside. Nothing worse than dog hair all over a car or scratches in the leather

[MasterKevin]

10000% prefer the 3-Door over the 5 (I unfortunately have a 5 door). It's just so much sexier with it's cleaner lines. I was looking for a 3 door but was too impatient to wait for the right one.

coudln't agree anymore. in my case they wernt even out yet.

[Pharkus]

Dogs belong in the boot. Just take the rear parcel tray off.

In my world dogs are smelly, messy things that should live outside. Nothing worse than dog hair all over a car or scratches in the leather

Too true at the moment as he has a tummy bug. But as a poodle cross they shed next to no hair and I have a special dog tarp on the back seat which still allows him to strap into the seatbelt.

Good sale Tim!

[Tim]

back on topic

Chicks dig 3 doors :D

http://www.dubaddiction.com.au/linked/candywhite14.JPG

[G-rig]

Probably because the golf is a chicks car anyway lol

[Pharkus]

back on topic

Chicks dig 3 doors :D

http://www.dubaddiction.com.au/linked/candywhite14.JPG

Until you try to get them into the back seat. Then its 5 door FTW for ease of getting into the back seat.

[Tim]

octomom says 5 door cars are cool

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/28/article-1202682-05DE45A1000005DC-559_468x286.jpg

[G-rig]

What did you buy/are getting now Tim? Another 3dr no doubt.

[Tim]

What did you buy/are getting now Tim? Another 3dr no doubt.

Possibly nothing for a while. I still have my old MK3 VR6 which is just soooo raw and so much fun to drive. (yes its a 5 door but thats all you could get here)
Had my eye on a Porsche. Heart said yes. head said no.

In the middle of buying a new office/warehouse which will accomodate both of my businesses and then the mrs wants a house and a trip to europe. So unless I win the lotto I dont think ill be buying a new car too soon :D

[G-rig]

took me about 3 months to sell it or something like that. I wasnt really counting the days.

It was a 3 door manual with xenons and leather.

All the people that come to look at it were specifically after a 3 door and most tried to get it cheaper. I could have sold it within a couple weeks If I had have accepted market value but I held out to get $3000 - $4000 above the market value.

I had a few arguments with young asian guys complaining that it was too expensive compared to the other cars on market. Told them to go buy one of them to which they then replied with "theyre all 5 doors & DSG"

I think you will find as time goes by the 3 door cars will command an even bigger premium over the 5 doors as there are just so few around. Demand will increase as the average age of the owners decreases.

I was also able to sell the euro plates, 19" wheels and left over stock suspension components for another $3000.

Didn't really get a chance to reply today.

That's pretty good, always helps if you aren't in a rush to sell but also pricing it properly to start with helps (mine was too high for a while before i started reducing it to a realistic price).

There will still probably be a lot more people who want a 5dr so will be easier to sell and the enthousiast 'young guys' may be a minority particularly when they don't want to pay enough for a good example, but nice if you jag someone. Not easy or quick to sell cars these days, no arguments there.

Also glad i reverted back to stock and sold the mods off, worked out better than giving them away for the same price and modded scares a lot of buyers away too.


Possibly nothing for a while. I still have my old MK3 VR6 which is just soooo raw and so much fun to drive. (yes its a 5 door but thats all you could get here)
Had my eye on a Porsche. Heart said yes. head said no.

In the middle of buying a new office/warehouse which will accomodate both of my businesses and then the mrs wants a house and a trip to europe. So unless I win the lotto I dont think ill be buying a new car too soon :D

If i had a 2nd car i prob wouldn't have got something like this again too, that VR6 sounds fun still. Prob good you didn't get the Porsche would probably cost an absolute fortune to run and maintain/repair.

[satz]

I searched for ages till I found a good 3-door, with DSG!

The 3-doors were only sold downunder from Nov 06.

I love the look and the fact that they're made in Germany, and in tune with the original GTI's philosophy of simplicity and lighter weight!

The room inside is exactly the same as the 5-door, and the tilt/slide seats make it easy to access the back

Plus the car looks less 'family' like :)


Interestingly I recently read an interview with the Golf V GTI's designer who said that he preferred how the 3-door came out as he felt the 5-door looked 'fudgy' (I think was the word he used)

[G-rig]

I'm not sure that the 3DR actually weighs any/much less? The doors would be heavier. Agree they look slightly sportier but still not a coupe or anything just the same car but with 2 doors. The 5dr is better in the event of a side impact collision, will have to dig up the info.

Good to get what you want ultimately..

Ps. The MK6 3DR and 5DR are all made in Germany now.

[M4RK0]

I'll definitely go for a MKVI 3dr car in a couple of months, IMO, I don't justify the 5dr, never used them more than a couple of times, for me it's a waste, we are only two (my wife and me) no kids, and lots of shopping, so, for me the back seats are just an extension of my trunck....

And yeah less $$$ at the price of the car it's nice, :)

Cheers!

[elisiX]

5DR all the way for me.

1. I need the space.

2. The 3DR 'feels' like a kids car.

The extra doors add a level of sophistication & sensibility to an otherwise boy racer hatch.

[_Just]

I was having this dilemma when ordering the Golf R. I currently drive a Cooper S, so it's not that I couldn't live with a 3 door model.

I read in several places and the dealer seems to think that the dimensions for the 3 and 5 door were identical and there would be no noticeable performance difference between the 3 and 5 door Golf R, which is why I ended up choosing the 5 door.

Does that make sense however? I would've always thought the 5 door would be much heavier?

[Justin Fox]

LOL the 1st post!

[G-rig]

Easier to sell a 5dr when you're done with it as well.

[danielb]

I don't know about that, i mean there are still people who specifically want a 3dr. Not a massive issue i think.

Fan of the 3 door here, coming from a 350z its still a shitload more practical :lol:.

Don't have a need to ferry people around often anyway, and personally i prefer the appearance of the 3 door, and it's cheaper. It was an easy decision for me!

[MarcsGTI]

5 door for me!
Thats why I bought the car.

Every car I owned was 3 door - 3 RX7's - Jeep Wrangler - Now the GTI - 5 doors.

I really wanted auto over manual too cause every car has been manual though im glad I didnt...

[Lima]

I was having this dilemma when ordering the Golf R. I currently drive a Cooper S, so it's not that I couldn't live with a 3 door model.

I read in several places and the dealer seems to think that the dimensions for the 3 and 5 door were identical and there would be no noticeable performance difference between the 3 and 5 door Golf R, which is why I ended up choosing the 5 door.

Does that make sense however? I would've always thought the 5 door would be much heavier?

5dr is about 35kg heavier.

Dimensions are almost exactly the same; the 3dr has a fraction more elbow room in the rear.

3dr looks better, IMO of course. The Mk6 in 3dr guise doesn't have the carry over Mk5 panel on the inside of the b-pillar like the 5dr does. It doesn't match with the front door trim and is a pretty bad fail by VW it must be said. :(

[Justin Fox]

I wish I bought a 3-door. SO hard to find them though on carsales (at the time I was looking). Too impatient!

[_Just]

5dr is about 35kg heavier.

Dimensions are almost exactly the same; the 3dr has a fraction more elbow room in the rear.

3dr looks better, IMO of course. The Mk6 in 3dr guise doesn't have the carry over Mk5 panel on the inside of the b-pillar like the 5dr does. It doesn't match with the front door trim and is a pretty bad fail by VW it must be said. :(
Thanks for the reply mate.

I didn't realise there was a 35 kilo difference.

[stephen8512]

As much as I agree that the 3 door looks hotter, personally, I love 5 doors.....but thats cuz I love my sedans.

Yes, the Golf R is not a sedan, but still I like to have the practicality of having 5 doors if ever theres that chance that I need to put stuff on the backseat if I couldnt fit it all in the boot, etc.

I don't drive anyone and it's only me that drives. (for e,g my old euro and my jetta pretty much had NO ONE in the back seat for 99% of the time. When I sold the euro, the rear seats were IMMACULATE to say the least)

For me personally, i'd get 3 doors/coupe on a sports car only....e.g 370Z, R34/35 GTRs etc.

Plus, as per what greg said, upon sale it'd be prob a tad easier to sell compared to the 3 door

[Lima]

Thanks for the reply mate.

I didn't realise there was a 35 kilo difference.

That equates to a bit more than half a tank of fuel. Hardly worth worrying about for a road car. Any Golf R is a good choice!

[Kooki]

The only thing practical about a 3 door is it costs less..LOL.

[AP]

I only brought a 5dr because it was easier with the kids..
I would prefer a 3dr because I think it looks better..

[random]

I only brought a 5dr because it was easier with the kids..
I would prefer a 3dr because I think it looks better..

+1

I would only get a 5dr if i have the need to, otherwise 3dr every single time. Especially on the golfs, i actually find the 5drs weird, the door is too short. hatch backs are made for 3rds.

[G-rig]

For me personally, i'd get 3 doors/coupe on a sports car only....e.g 370Z, R34/35 GTRs etc.

Agree the 3dr looks slightly better but it isn't exactly a sports car/coupe, just the same car but with two doors. Either or really.. Two less doors making the rubber squarking noise would be good though :P

[richie32]

stock vs stock, id prefer the 4 dr, but once they r both lowered its more equal game. Then that would be a harder choice. Mmmm

[satz]

Definetely cleaner lines on the 2-door compared to 4 door.

And the 2-doors (which were only available as GTI and R32) are so rare, especially compared to the 4 doors which look almost the same as every other Golf V :P