Why are "3 door" hatchbacks cool?

Tommy B · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:29

I don't understand why people seem to think a 3 door Golf or A3/S3 etc gives you more street cred than a 5 door.

In the case of the Golf, I think the 3 door versions look stupid and unbalanced. They're also inconvenient. If people who go on about 3 doors being cool are so into their image, then I don't get how they miss the fact you'd look like a muppet pitching up somewhere with your mates and then having to all slowly get out like you're driving a 1993 106.

They're hatch backs, not sports coupes.

jamief · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:31

Let me guess......you own a 5 door?!

I think the point is that 3 doors are smaller and generally look sleeker than 5 doors, hence people think they are a bit cooler. I don't really think its a big issue though, or is it?

Zefan · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:31

Most cars look better in their 3 door variants. Well, to me.

Raymond Lin · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:31

I don't think the idea of a 3 door is to carry passengers in the back on every trip. The fact that it has only 2 main doors, less "break lines" from the extra door and it doesn't scream family car makes it cooler.

I have no problem getting a 3 door since its not like i am a taxi.

Phal · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:31

I prefer 5 doors full stop :/

Only cars that probably wouldnt look right with 5 doors are supercars and tiny sports cars :|

Deep · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:31

i think the 5 door A3 looks really wierd where as the 3 door looks ok

Raymond Lin · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:32

Bet the OP wants a 5 door mini

.:MBK:. · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:37

i like my 3dr it discourages asking for lifts...im not the family taxi :mad:

nutcase · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:43

5 door cars are ideal for putting baby seats in the back. 3 door (often) means stiffer bodyshell and better lines, so looks and is more sporty - assuming it's supposed to be sporty of course. A fiesta in 3 and 5 door are equal, until you get to the RS or whatever specs.

Scarfacé · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:43

I've got a 3DR mk2 Focus and people always comment how it looks much better than the 5dr.

I very rarely carry more than one passenger.

Obviously if you've got a family of 4 and use it as a family car then yes, getting a 3 door car probably isn't the best idea.

Ak!ta · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:47

nutcase_1uk said:
5 door cars are ideal for putting baby seats in the back. 3 door (often) means stiffer bodyshell and better lines, so looks and is more sporty - assuming it's supposed to be sporty of course.

Agreed... Also gives you the room of larger car whilst retaining the sporty looks...

jellybeard999 · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:47

Personally, I think it depends on usage and the individual car, however it's not a big enough difference to stop me buying a car, assuming im not specifically looking for a plaything.

MrMatteh · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:50

because having a 5dr car is practical

and practical != cool.

InvaderGIR · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:52

MrMatteh said:
because having a 5dr car is practical

and practical != cool.

Quoted for the truth.

I prefer the lines of 3 door cars over the 5 door varients, plus I don't like giving lifts to more than one person. Too much weight and my car becomes far too slow

InvG

wassap · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:56

5 door cars are a comprimise, 3 door ones are not.

3 door car owners tend to be single,free and extremely macho and hard oh and hot women instantly throw their panties at em.

Guess what i drive

Ak!ta · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:58

wohoo said:
5 door cars are a comprimise, 3 door ones are not.

3 door car owners tend to be single,free and extremely macho and hard oh and hot women instantly throw their panties at em.

Guess what i drive

A people Carrier ?

Conscript · 24 Jul 2007 at 14:00

Ak!ta said:
Agreed... Also gives you the room of larger car whilst retaining the sporty looks...

Rofl.

"Sporty looks"

Its a hatchback!!

Zefan · 24 Jul 2007 at 14:05

Conscript said:
Its a hatchback!!

Sporty hatchbacks exist.

Conscript · 24 Jul 2007 at 14:06

A lot of talk has been based around base model hatchbacks looking better in 3 door.

Tommy B · 24 Jul 2007 at 14:06

haha, this conversation actually stemmed from my mate this morning.

We both have 1.4 MK5 Golfs. His is a 3-door silver, mine is a 5-door pearl black. (Ok, technically they are our parents

).

I personally (and this isn't the case with all cars, no) think that with the Golf, the 3 door variant looks awful. It's completely unbalanced. My friend surprisingly agreed, and also said it's a pain in the butt only having 3 doors when you're giving mates a lift.

As for the "family car" image, that just seems ridiculous to me, although I've heard loads of people say that before. As I said in my OP, it's a hatchback not a 911 turbo.