MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: crashdesk on March 18, 2011, 01:46:51 pm

Title: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: crashdesk on March 18, 2011, 01:46:51 pm
I am still on teh lookout for a 5 door gti which tick all the boxes but have yet to find one at the right price etc. There are way more 3 doors out there, which is why I need to ask...Does anyone out there use a 3 door as a family car and how easy is it to fit a child seat etc?

Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: damo666 on March 18, 2011, 01:55:18 pm
I have a 3 door gti and have 3 kids and have no problem
getting them in and out of the car.
Even better if you use the isofix fittings with a isofix seat.
Why don't you go down the local dealers with your kids and
seats and try it yourself :happy2:
Cheers,
Damo :smiley:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: crashdesk on March 18, 2011, 02:02:49 pm
Thanks Damo!!! What's special about isofix seats?

Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: damo666 on March 18, 2011, 02:06:13 pm
Thanks Damo!!! What's special about isofix seats?


This might explain it more than me waffling on :grin:
http://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/products/carsafety/isofix.asp
 :happy2:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: chowgar on March 18, 2011, 02:10:56 pm
We looked at both when we got our GTI we had just had a little girl and the 3 door seemed such an effort... the car seats are Awkward enough as they are... and gets harder the heavier the wee ones get... in the end it was a no brainer and a 5 door was needed... never bothered with the isofix (though would imagin that it would make it easier with a 3 door car) shes usually in the back however shes upfront with me sometimes with the air bag turned off.

Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: E30Dom on March 18, 2011, 02:11:53 pm
Iso fix is a doddle, 5door is so much better for ease of strapping kids in, so nice to have a 5door again after 6 months of a mk4 3door strapping in my 2yo...
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: stu_no_1 on March 18, 2011, 02:52:50 pm
I used to have a 5 door gti and it was good for getting the baby in but I got myself a 3 door r32 just because I seen it cheap and low milage and I just had ti have it lol anyways it has recaros which dont slide forward them self when you tilt them so a bit more awkward but I'd say it's easy to get her in the back she's 2 so moves her arms to help you now might be a bit more difficult with a younger child but id say it depends on what car you like the look of better and make your decision on that if you like them both the same go for 5 door to make it a bit easier
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: crashdesk on March 18, 2011, 03:41:16 pm
Thanks folks. I'll try and hold out for a 5 door but I've got seriously itchy feet :-)
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: E30Dom on March 18, 2011, 03:42:34 pm
I would seriously hold out for a 5 door, plus i think they look more in proportion imo.
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: damo666 on March 18, 2011, 03:43:32 pm
Thanks folks. I'll try and hold out for a 5 door but I've got seriously itchy feet :-)
Hope ya find what ya looking for :happy2:
My 3-door will be up for sale soon :confused:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: crashdesk on March 18, 2011, 04:49:52 pm
How come Damo?
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: damo666 on March 18, 2011, 05:25:35 pm
How come Damo?
Redundancy I'm afraid :surprised:
Sucks tbh but it seems to be the norm at the mo :scared:
The country is going t1ts up :fighting:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: VC on March 18, 2011, 05:27:44 pm
when my rugrats were tiny i plumped for a 5dr as it was easier than leaning through to strap them in or get a seat in and out compared to a 3dr. being able to simply open the rear door and deal with them is a no brainer imho

the moment they came out of car seats i switched to as 3dr as theres no hassle with them climbing back there
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: bodger00 on March 18, 2011, 07:17:18 pm
IMO getting a car seat into the back seats of a 3 door is a nightmare. It's fine when they can get themselves in but not when they are facing the back of the car with the seat in the newborn position.

Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: PDT on March 18, 2011, 07:23:53 pm
We have 2 cars, 3 door ed30 and a 335d coupe. Both used as family cars and always full of kids and baby seats etc.... Bmw is awkward, Golf is far better as the seats slide and fild easily out of the way. If we had another Baby I wouldnt rush out and buy a 4 door car.
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: mo on March 19, 2011, 12:08:50 am
Had a mk4 when my daughter was born.Having to strap the rear facing car seat in the back was a nightmare and then i bought an isofix base which wasnt all that much easier tbh.Sold up and bought a 5dr eddy.So much easier. :happy2:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: crashdesk on March 19, 2011, 10:30:44 am
Si many differing opinions but since it is quite a bit of money being spent I think I should opt for the 5dr model. Sensible head kicking in again.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: CocoPops on March 19, 2011, 10:41:04 am
5dr all the way.

3dr just wouldnt be practical.

It's also not just about the seats.
3dr cars have longer doors and you won't be able to open them enough to get the car seat through.
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: crashdesk on March 19, 2011, 04:34:13 pm
Good point CocoPops
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: Redev on March 19, 2011, 09:37:45 pm
I bought a 5 door GTI as we have a little one, my missus has a sportback A3 that our daughter spends most of her time in but I wanted a car that I could also use. It's the first 5 door I've had and it's been brilliant. Maybe when she's a bit bigger I'll go back to 3drs but for now I'd keep in looking if I were you..

A 5dr makes life so much easier.
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: golf nutter on March 20, 2011, 09:41:55 am
I would seriously hold out for a 5 door, plus i think they look more in proportion imo.

how do you mean?  i am looking to sell my subaru for a gti and recognise that the 5 door would be more practical but unsure what's out of proportion on the 3 door.
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: critter on March 20, 2011, 08:51:34 pm
Another point to think about is in the case of an accident god forbid, it can be a life saver having the extra doors.
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: Tarmac_Terrorist on March 20, 2011, 10:56:06 pm
My company car is a 4 door 3 series. My own car is a 3 door GTI but I previously had a 5 door Golf. I have 2 young uns and much prefer the 3 door. It's awkward lifting kids over the side bolsters of car seats in a 5 door whilst not banging their heads. Also, when it's raining you simply step into the 3 door car and strap them in keeping dry - with a five door you've got wet shoulders and back.

I wouldn't go five door because it's easier as in my personal experience it isn't, i'd go for what you'd prefer   :wink:
Title: Re: Baby seat and children (sensible topic lol)
Post by: CaptainJack on March 21, 2011, 05:16:37 pm
I don't get why the seats on my Pirelli don't slide when I tilt them - I am sure they said they do.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I have to manually pull the seat forward first and then tilt.

Not too big a problem as I luckily/unluckily have no kids!!