Help!!! A few questions I need your help with.

[YorkshireGTI]

Hello

I have tried the search but can't really find what I am looking for.
After years of saving I am finally in a position to purchase a GTI or ED 30 .
Before i do I just have a few questions and figure this will be the best place for advice.
What is the car like as a daily workhorse, we have a 2 month old baby who's needs are obviously of priority ( pram in the boot, comfort of ride etc)
So all you parents can I please have your thoughts on living with the car.
Also had different views on the 3 or 5 door debate, 3 doors provide easier access as the opening in biiger, 5 door is easier to gain access to the rear seats?
I fancy a car with Xenon lights, Highline comp, Sat nav, 18" Monza's II & Leather if a GTI, MFSW, not sure which are the ones to have though.
Which is the easiest to retrofit at a date?
Thank you in anticipation
Jase

[Andy]

welcome to the forum..i would get the four door car if you have a 2 month old baby..the boot is excellent for the pram,or mine was before i put the amps in

[SeanyK]

Leather and Xenon would be the hardest retrofits, the others are generally simply to retrofit.

When I have my little lad I have him in the front passenger seat (airbag off) so the 3 door is ample for at the moment.

If your leaving the baby seat in the car then 3 door would be fine if you can't get hold of a 5 door.

[Kiwi]

If you have a little one, I would get a 5 door, it makes it far easier to get the car seat in and out, and to also get the baby/child in & out

Just my 2 cents

[S800BRN]

I used to have a 5 door GT I now have a 3 door GTI 5 doors is easier with little uns especially the liftin in and out of car seats. There's plenty room to get in/out with the 3 door too.Now my daughter's 3 and a half the 3 door's fine as she gets in and out herself. There's plenty room to get in/out with the 3 door too.
I wouldn't let the number of doors be a deal breaker though if you find something you really like.

[d80tb7]

we have a 1 year old and a 5 Door GTI.  Here's my take:

1) 5 doors are a must in IMO.  I've experience with a 3 door focus and the benefits of access from 5 doors are substantial.

2) If you can, get leather.  A small child is messy and leather wipes clean.  Again this is from experience.

3) The boot opening is ok; much better than the Alfa 156 we previously had, but not as good as my mother in law's Honda Jazz.  If you have a very bulky buggy then you might want to check that.  The thing that pains me greatly is that if you're packing and unpacking a buggy daily then every so often you're bound to scratch the top of the bumper at the boot opening. I suspect though that this would be the case with most cars.

4) As a daily workhorse it's great.  I have 18 inch wheels and have no problems with the ride.  IMO one of the best things about the GTI is that it's fast and fun, but at the end of the day it's a 5 door version of a very practical hatch.

 

[LouCyffer]

As a family car, it's great. Get a 5 door though. I got rid of my 4year old Impreza STi as our first child was due. As mentioned above, leather is a must for wipe clean robustness. The ride (on 18" Monzas) is great, road noise is low, and the boot will swallow most prams (we have an iCandy thingy-watsit). Plus the isofix points work well (2 in the rear) and the split-fold rear seats give more room if needed. Plus you can always get roof bars & a box if you need more space (or the wee man gets too noisy).

A bit marmite here, but the DSG transmission in auto mode makes for a silky smooth drive when you have a tiny passenger. Plus paddle shift for when you don't

You won't go wrong with one 

[stealthwolf]

Satnav and highline are easy to retrofit. Highline as an option is only £50 but costs much more to retrofit  MFSW is okay too provided it is a DSG due to the steering wheel design. Xenons are a bit more difficult and can work out more expensive. Alloys are the easiest to retrofit!

5 door is so much easier than 3 door. I don't have kids but for ease of use and practicality, 5 dr is better.