RE: PH Blog: Goodbye three-door, hello estate?

[longdogger]

Since a youngster I've loved my fast estates, to name a few I've had. Aerodeck vti, Volvo 850 T5R, Aerodeck vti-s, 850 t5 hmmm seems to be a pattern forming. Then my latest purchase is a 2005 v70 T5 with 260bhp and plenty of room for moving wardrobes

[Robmarriott]

Incidentally, I would never buy a 5 door hatch, it'd be 3 door hatch or estate for me, I wouldn't even entertain a 5 door hatch

[dukebox9reg]

Weirdly iv'e been looking at buying a 1.6 vtec Aerodeck recently and nearly bought a new FR Ibiza estate. I think having a car that doesn't cost the earth to run, you can throw down the road and throw your garden rubbish in the boot at the weekend is spot on. I haven't wanted a 3dr since i was about 19. 5 doors look just as good as most 3 drs now adays anyway.

[ingotree]

Fast estates are very cool, T5R, RS4, Impreza and Evo Wagons to name a few but 18 year olds will always want a 3 door hatch.... probably in black as well. Now in my 30s with 2 children a fast estate makes perfect sense!!

[5paul5]

If its a two seater car then 2 doors it is, anything with rear seats should have doors to access them, its a pain in the butt otherwise letting people in and out, 5 doors for me every time.

[dukebox9reg]

As an extra point though I'm glad that you dont have to have to 3 drs nowadays if you want the top end sports model in the range now, with manufacturers offering 5dr/3dr/estates with the same running gear.

[ingotree]

Fast estates are very cool, T5R, RS4, Impreza and Evo Wagons to name a few but 18 year olds will always want a 3 door hatch.... probably in black as well. Now in my 30s with 2 children a fast estate makes perfect sense!!

[JackyWhite]

..i've a classic Forester Turbo td04'd/deCatted & reMapped to the 280s....with 4WD, towbar, roof-bars....and an a LPG tank to use...do I count? I share this with a ph2 172 too for cummuting on dry days too..

[Gigsy]

HowardB said:

WRX Wagon - awesome, five doors, roof bars, tow bar, etc,.... too thirsty but sadly missed

Agreed... then I'm a bit biased on that front having had 2 of them and a Forester XT

[binnerboy]

I can justify a fast estate to my wife, I cannot justify a hot hatch as I cannot take stuff to the tip in it.

Since I became a dad a fast estate meets all the family stuff whilst allowing me to have some fun behind the wheel.

MPVs I hate, no reason , I just hate them (it is not rational I know so please it is just a strong opinion not based on factor sober judgement) so I would never go there fast estates give me an option to please both me and the rest of the family.

If I didn't have a family I probably wouldn't care about the number of doors as 90% of the time I would be the only one in the car.

so more fast estates please !

[robertobissini]

What about three door estates like the old escorts ?

[Leins]

timmeh2k said:

If you struggle to get through the front doors of a 5 door hatch you need to leave the pies alone.....

This has come up recently, but it's not just the opening for the front doors of a 4/5-door that can be the problem, but the location of the B-pillar for taller drivers, as it can hinder side-visibility with the seat pushed back

Saying that, estates are probably my favourite car body-style, and I've no real need for practicality. Shooting brakes are quite nice too though!

[robertobissini]

[jumare]

I've always been a fan of estates, had a 3 series tourer (E36) because the 4 door felt too small inside, followed by a Coupe (E46) preferred over saloon. Like the mix of practicality and performance of a fast estate, think Audi Avants (S and RS). Would never have a 4 door saloon.

In terms of door size, as a single occupant I always found 2 doors better than 4, open door slot bag behind drivers seat get in and go, for a 4 door open rear door put case in close door then open front door....

[matt50]

My personal belief is that a three door hatch (whatever the compromises of ownership may be) simply looks more 'hot hatch-like'. My two kids have never complained about sitting in the back of my Megane 250; for longer trips we have the Octavia vRS estate.

To be honest, when we first had our first child, we had a three-door car (Ibiza) and tightening the straps of the child seat was so much easier from in front of the child when the seat was folded forward than in the five-door car we got to replace it, trying to do it from side-on with not a great deal of space. I can't have been the only person to have found this?

[X5TUU]

There seems to be a lot of people mentioning about people getting in and out of the rear seats in a 3dr being an issue ... Honestly no one has ever sat in the rear seats of my current Astra VXR or Corsa VXR or Conti for that matter ... and only on e prior to that can I remember anyone (other than my woofer) getting in the back of one of my cars ... When more than 2 ppl we generally use taxi's ... Surely this is the norm?!?

[dave stew]

I've just replaced my V70 T5 with a Saab 9-5 HOT Aero wagon. I've always said that you don't drive an estate as a style statement, so why have one that too small to fit things in?

Off to France with my two kids in July - we won't be needing a roof box..!

[Beast]

robertobissini said:

Definition of sub-zero !

[dave stew]

X5TUU said:

There seems to be a lot of people mentioning about people getting in and out of the rear seats in a 3dr being an issue ... Honestly no one has ever sat in the rear seats of my current Astra VXR or Corsa VXR or Conti for that matter ... and only on e prior to that can I remember anyone (other than my woofer) getting in the back of one of my cars ... When more than 2 ppl we generally use taxi's ... Surely this is the norm?!?

I do that when I take my kids to school. Me and first son in the front. Second son follows in a taxi...

[Beast]

damn...pressed send too soon.

Having had an N-Reg 850 (new) at the time, have waited for kids to come and semi-go and now going back....with S4.
Now need space to shove walking gear, self-catering kit + dogs for hedonistic trips to the Lakes & Peaks.

MrsE just wants a sat-nav and seat-warmers...