3dr VS 5dr GTI - Why do 3dr look so bad?

[blue_reality]

I'm over in the US at the moment and I've gotta say that in NY, DC, San Fran and LA I hardly saw any GTI's and the ones I did see were all 3 door and a couple of them were a light orange colour. I thought that there would be quite a few GTI's rolling around. Someone told me they only cost $25,000 over here. I saw a 2nd hand Porsche Boxter in a car lot today for $15,000. The cars are just so cheap over here.

Thing is that 99% of the time a 3dr car always looks better than a 5 door of the same model. (they have a 5 door Honda integra over here - ugliest thing you've ever seen)

But I just don't think that 3dr GTI's look half as good as a 5dr and I don't know why? I own a 5dr white GTI and everytime I see a 3dr I'm so glad I didn't get one. And I just don't understand why I have such feelings. I mean these orange 3dr ones over here in the US are simply hideous.

Does anyone know why I may have this reaction of "eeewww" everytime I see a 3 door and does anyone else have the same reaction? Have I missed something?

Maybe everytime you see a 5dr you're glad you got a 3 door.

Thoughts?

[datracer99]

Maybe everytime you see a 5dr you're glad you got a 3 door.

Exactly.
When I was shopping for a new car the Golf wasn't even on my list until i saw the 3 door. I prefer it's lines.

It all comes down to personal preference.

[jayjay]

i think it's really quite subjective. personally, i'd say i like the proportions of the 5 door. it's also oh so practical.. (i really must be a car lover)

that said, i'd prefer a golf gti 3/5dr over most other cars on the market today anyway

[PhilMart]

A five door whips arse every single day of the week .. I am biased though!

[RIS00]

5 door = mummy or daddys car

3 door = sports car

Thats the way i see it anyway, im probably a fair bit younger than most GTI drivers though, so i have no kids, and i dont cart any one around except my girlfriend, hence why i got the 3 door, plus is looks a bit sportier.

[GTom]

hmmm this is going to cause some controversy.... And don't ask me the logic behind it because I myself prob. can't find it....

Right.......

3 Door = Chicks Car
5 Door = Mans car.........

[McCosker]

Maybe it is because we had the 5 door out here first and you were used to it before the 3 door was released.
But i know what you mean by it looking weird sometimes. Some days i think the 5 door looks weird as well.

[pinzvidz]

Maybe everytime you see a 5dr you're glad you got a 3 door.

That's right!

Actually, there's a number of reasons for us getting a 3 door;

$1500 cheaper
Made in Germany (our 5 doors come from Seth Efrika)
We don't have kids
Many, many, many times better looking

[gordon]

Made in Germany (our 5 doors come from Seth Efrika)

Excellent point! You just have to read the posts and most (not all) quality problems are with 5 door GTIs

I went 3 door out of personal preference

[evorobin]

Three door weighs less, chassis is more rigid and the owner wasn't whipped by the missus into getting a five door. That's what her car is for

[Tim]

I think there are 50,000 reasons why you prefer the 5 door. Either that or youre blind

[Mischa]

Three door weighs less, chassis is more rigid and the owner wasn't whipped by the missus into getting a five door. That's what her car is for

That's right!

Actually, there's a number of reasons for us getting a 3 door;

$1500 cheaper
Made in Germany (our 5 doors come from Seth Efrika)
We don't have kids
Many, many, many times better looking

5 door = mummy or daddys car

3 door = sports car

Thats the way i see it anyway, im probably a fair bit younger than most GTI drivers though, so i have no kids, and i dont cart any one around except my girlfriend, hence why i got the 3 door, plus is looks a bit sportier.

all true. shame we dont get the gt in 3dr over here.

[Chardy]

you don't buy a GTI for practicality or room - you buy it because its a hot hatch - hot hatches don't have 5 doors.

I don't even understand why it came in a 5 door.

[gerhard]

you don't buy a GTI for practicality or room - you buy it because its a hot hatch - hot hatches don't have 5 doors.

I don't even understand why it came in a 5 door.

Simple - so all those people (like me) who would not buy the 3 door will still buy a GTI

[Golf Houso]

Its a shame that a car as good as this is restricted by having only 2 doors. Its not a coupe' its a hot hatch, and the more practical the better. There are a number of reasons why only 6-8% of a all GTIs produced are 3dr's