Which Type of cars sell more in Germany?Coupe or Sedans.I see alot of high performance sedans here and I would think that if you want a performance car it would be a sprty coupe>Thanks Joe
Sedans or Coupes
- Thread starter Dually
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The image of performance may in fact be more closely associated with a coupe, but it does not mean that coupes sell more. After all, most people want their cars to be first and foremost practical, hence they want 4 doors. I would expect the same to hold true in Germany as well.
To me, a powerful yet inconspicuously looking sedan is the best of both worlds. Speak softly and carry a big stick, as they say.
To me, a powerful yet inconspicuously looking sedan is the best of both worlds. Speak softly and carry a big stick, as they say.
3 and 5 doors.
The US may be the only country in the world that HATES 3 and 5 door cars.
The Germans have had high content 3-door hatchbacks for a long time.
After owning a 5-door, I do not want a sedan ever again. I mean you get this huge trunk with a comically small opening in a sedan. I use my car at work and I've carried things that most people on this board would think they would need an SUV for.
(I'm certain that someone will have an argument for the sedan but all we have to do is try to fit a gas grill and a generator into their trunk opening...they'll fail.)
As far as the styling? 5-doors do not have to look like the big bag o'fail that was the Malibu Maxx or the Hyundai Excel.
The US may be the only country in the world that HATES 3 and 5 door cars.
The Germans have had high content 3-door hatchbacks for a long time.
After owning a 5-door, I do not want a sedan ever again. I mean you get this huge trunk with a comically small opening in a sedan. I use my car at work and I've carried things that most people on this board would think they would need an SUV for.
(I'm certain that someone will have an argument for the sedan but all we have to do is try to fit a gas grill and a generator into their trunk opening...they'll fail.)
As far as the styling? 5-doors do not have to look like the big bag o'fail that was the Malibu Maxx or the Hyundai Excel.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
3 and 5 doors.
The US may be the only country in the world that HATES 3 and 5 door cars.
The Germans have had high content 3-door hatchbacks for a long time.
A hatchback is not the same as coupe.
Other than that, I do agree that a hatch or a station wagon is more practical than a sedan.
3 and 5 doors.
The US may be the only country in the world that HATES 3 and 5 door cars.
The Germans have had high content 3-door hatchbacks for a long time.
A hatchback is not the same as coupe.
Other than that, I do agree that a hatch or a station wagon is more practical than a sedan.
OK, just making sure.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
3 and 5 doors.
The US may be the only country in the world that HATES 3 and 5 door cars.
The Germans have had high content 3-door hatchbacks for a long time.
After owning a 5-door, I do not want a sedan ever again. I mean you get this huge trunk with a comically small opening in a sedan. I use my car at work and I've carried things that most people on this board would think they would need an SUV for.
(I'm certain that someone will have an argument for the sedan but all we have to do is try to fit a gas grill and a generator into their trunk opening...they'll fail.)
As far as the styling? 5-doors do not have to look like the big bag o'fail that was the Malibu Maxx or the Hyundai Excel.
Well, we do like 5 door cars, it's just that we like 'em big and call 'em SUV-s.
3 and 5 doors.
The US may be the only country in the world that HATES 3 and 5 door cars.
The Germans have had high content 3-door hatchbacks for a long time.
After owning a 5-door, I do not want a sedan ever again. I mean you get this huge trunk with a comically small opening in a sedan. I use my car at work and I've carried things that most people on this board would think they would need an SUV for.
(I'm certain that someone will have an argument for the sedan but all we have to do is try to fit a gas grill and a generator into their trunk opening...they'll fail.)
As far as the styling? 5-doors do not have to look like the big bag o'fail that was the Malibu Maxx or the Hyundai Excel.
Well, we do like 5 door cars, it's just that we like 'em big and call 'em SUV-s.
Best selling cars in Germany:
#1 Volkswagen Golf
#5 Opel Astra (85% of which are 3 and 5 doors)
#6 Opel Corsa (3-door accounts for 58% of sales)
#8 Volkswagen Polo
#10 Audi A3
half the top ten list are hatches.
They don't have a problem with hatchbacks but the USA views hatchbacks as very basic vehicles. Yugos, Hyundai Excels, Chevettes...etc...
Even Mazda gave up on the 5-door after years of availiability in the 626 and the Mazda6. The current North American model does not have a 5-door variant
Passenger airbags and carseats pretty much killed the coupe.
Sliding a kid into a rear facing car seat in the rear of a coupe is no fun. Back in the day, infants rode shotgun and two-year old kids could handle lap belts in the rear of coupes by themselves.
I also wonder if people associate coupes with 1970's land barges with seven foot long doors that wore their pins out and sagged.
Sliding a kid into a rear facing car seat in the rear of a coupe is no fun. Back in the day, infants rode shotgun and two-year old kids could handle lap belts in the rear of coupes by themselves.
I also wonder if people associate coupes with 1970's land barges with seven foot long doors that wore their pins out and sagged.
having a baby led to the elimination of our coupes and the purchase of our 5-doors.
Let's see rear-facing infant seat in the Eclipse GT or the Mustang GT.... Either way the front passenger is going to be jammed against the dash.
Plus, like you said getting the baby in is no fun. Especially when it's 33 degrees and raining like ummm.... heck. That's the only time that the passenger front seat won't immediately tilt and slide forward when you lift the lever.
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Well, we do like 5 door cars, it's just that we like 'em big and call 'em SUV-s.
Ding ding ding. This is America. Here, 5-door cars are called Tahoes.
Well, we do like 5 door cars, it's just that we like 'em big and call 'em SUV-s.
Ding ding ding. This is America. Here, 5-door cars are called Tahoes.
JHZR2
Staff member
I own two coupes, a 2dr pickup, and four four door cars.
Sedans can look really good, but IMO coupes are more likely to look good. I'm not a fan of hatchback lines in terms of beauty, but they are just plain downright practical, regardless of door numbers or cargo space.
Sedans are just more utilitarian. One of the cars I own I have both the coupe and sedan version. The sedan has more utility in every way.
If I needed a small car or one car, I see no reason to have a 2dr, regardless of body style. They don't seem (us market at least) to be shorter or run with lower displacement engines, which tend to be the basis for taxation elsewhere. They are variants of the same platform.
So the one reason to buy a coupe/2dr is looks, IMO. Maybe performance depending upon model, but for my purposes here, capable sports cars are separate, purpose-built platforms/machines usually.
Sedans can look really good, but IMO coupes are more likely to look good. I'm not a fan of hatchback lines in terms of beauty, but they are just plain downright practical, regardless of door numbers or cargo space.
Sedans are just more utilitarian. One of the cars I own I have both the coupe and sedan version. The sedan has more utility in every way.
If I needed a small car or one car, I see no reason to have a 2dr, regardless of body style. They don't seem (us market at least) to be shorter or run with lower displacement engines, which tend to be the basis for taxation elsewhere. They are variants of the same platform.
So the one reason to buy a coupe/2dr is looks, IMO. Maybe performance depending upon model, but for my purposes here, capable sports cars are separate, purpose-built platforms/machines usually.
Originally Posted By: Dually
I see alot of high performance sedans here and I would think that if you want a performance car it would be a sprty coupe>Thanks Joe
If you want a true performance car, it should really only have two seats. If you're going to compromise the size of the car or its weight distribution in order to have a real back seat, why not make it easily accessible? Of course, a coupe with a tiny back seat for children or for occasional hauling of drunks may be ideal for some. They all have a market. I prefer a 5-door. My buddy who recently bought an S4 would have bought a wagon instead if anyone made a similar high performance AWD MT wagon for the North American market.
I see alot of high performance sedans here and I would think that if you want a performance car it would be a sprty coupe>Thanks Joe
If you want a true performance car, it should really only have two seats. If you're going to compromise the size of the car or its weight distribution in order to have a real back seat, why not make it easily accessible? Of course, a coupe with a tiny back seat for children or for occasional hauling of drunks may be ideal for some. They all have a market. I prefer a 5-door. My buddy who recently bought an S4 would have bought a wagon instead if anyone made a similar high performance AWD MT wagon for the North American market.
I'd buy that.
-Spyder
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Kestas
Staff member
There are pros and cons to owning a coupe or sedan.
- Sometimes sedans are lighter than coupes. All things equal, performance would favor the sedan.
- Sedans have shorter driver doors, which are a bonus in parking lots.
- Sedans have a stiffer body architecture.
- Sedans can be more expensive to repair in an accident (two doors on a side instead of one).
- Sometimes sedans are lighter than coupes. All things equal, performance would favor the sedan.
- Sedans have shorter driver doors, which are a bonus in parking lots.
- Sedans have a stiffer body architecture.
- Sedans can be more expensive to repair in an accident (two doors on a side instead of one).
Kestas
Staff member
Originally Posted By: rpn453
Of course, a coupe with a tiny back seat for children or for occasional hauling of drunks may be ideal for some.
I roll my eyes every time I hear that. When have you seen a family with kids buy a coupe? They always buy a minivan or SUV. Nobody buys a coupe to haul their small kids around.
I agree that the small back seats in coupes are virtually worthless. I believe they put them in for either of two reasons... to give the public the impression that they can haul more than two people around, or to keep the insurance companies from declaring the vehicle a sports car.
Of course, a coupe with a tiny back seat for children or for occasional hauling of drunks may be ideal for some.
I roll my eyes every time I hear that. When have you seen a family with kids buy a coupe? They always buy a minivan or SUV. Nobody buys a coupe to haul their small kids around.
I agree that the small back seats in coupes are virtually worthless. I believe they put them in for either of two reasons... to give the public the impression that they can haul more than two people around, or to keep the insurance companies from declaring the vehicle a sports car.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
or to keep the insurance companies from declaring the vehicle a sports car.
Although the insurance rates on coupes are higher than on comparable sedans anyway. Statistically (at least according to the insurance companies), coupe drivers are more likely to get into an accident.
or to keep the insurance companies from declaring the vehicle a sports car.
Although the insurance rates on coupes are higher than on comparable sedans anyway. Statistically (at least according to the insurance companies), coupe drivers are more likely to get into an accident.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I roll my eyes every time I hear that. When have you seen a family with kids buy a coupe? They always buy a minivan or SUV. Nobody buys a coupe to haul their small kids around.
I didn't mean to imply that the car would be used as a daily driver for transporting children, though it certainly could be used that way if necessary. I meant that the seats exist as a way to bring the kids along for an occasional ride. For someone with a family, the car could be used more often than a two-seater.
Really, an occasional-use small back seat can be a good thing for more than just drunks and children, as long as you don't plan on carrying anyone for a long drive. My buddy owns an '02 Trans Am that he bought new. He had always wanted a Corvette too, and was questioning his decision to have purchased the T/A. Since there were three of us in the car at the time, I said that we wouldn't all be able to cruise around together in a Corvette, or even bring any girls along. The back seat is tight, but it's better than leaving people behind! In the end, he got what he wanted anyway, since he recently bought an '09 Z06 to accompany the T/A.
I roll my eyes every time I hear that. When have you seen a family with kids buy a coupe? They always buy a minivan or SUV. Nobody buys a coupe to haul their small kids around.
I didn't mean to imply that the car would be used as a daily driver for transporting children, though it certainly could be used that way if necessary. I meant that the seats exist as a way to bring the kids along for an occasional ride. For someone with a family, the car could be used more often than a two-seater.
Really, an occasional-use small back seat can be a good thing for more than just drunks and children, as long as you don't plan on carrying anyone for a long drive. My buddy owns an '02 Trans Am that he bought new. He had always wanted a Corvette too, and was questioning his decision to have purchased the T/A. Since there were three of us in the car at the time, I said that we wouldn't all be able to cruise around together in a Corvette, or even bring any girls along. The back seat is tight, but it's better than leaving people behind! In the end, he got what he wanted anyway, since he recently bought an '09 Z06 to accompany the T/A.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
Originally Posted By: rpn453
Of course, a coupe with a tiny back seat for children or for occasional hauling of drunks may be ideal for some.
I roll my eyes every time I hear that. When have you seen a family with kids buy a coupe? They always buy a minivan or SUV. Nobody buys a coupe to haul their small kids around.
I agree that the small back seats in coupes are virtually worthless. I believe they put them in for either of two reasons... to give the public the impression that they can haul more than two people around, or to keep the insurance companies from declaring the vehicle a sports car.
The back seat in my Festiva probably isn't any bigger than most sport coupes... probably a bit taller though. Haul the kid around all the time in the back. It's just a easy to get him in the back and it's in the Escape. Use it most of the time around the city.
Originally Posted By: rpn453
Of course, a coupe with a tiny back seat for children or for occasional hauling of drunks may be ideal for some.
I roll my eyes every time I hear that. When have you seen a family with kids buy a coupe? They always buy a minivan or SUV. Nobody buys a coupe to haul their small kids around.
I agree that the small back seats in coupes are virtually worthless. I believe they put them in for either of two reasons... to give the public the impression that they can haul more than two people around, or to keep the insurance companies from declaring the vehicle a sports car.
The back seat in my Festiva probably isn't any bigger than most sport coupes... probably a bit taller though. Haul the kid around all the time in the back. It's just a easy to get him in the back and it's in the Escape. Use it most of the time around the city.
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