Saloon or Hatchback
 

300 series, saloon or hatchback which do you prefer?

Only ever had me 5 hatchback 360's so can't comment on the sedan lol

Lol I'm the opposite, only had saloon/sedan but have been in hatchbacks and I still prefer saloon/sedan.

Bump
surely more than 3 people know which shape they prefer ;)

Feel free to explain why you prefer which shape.
I prefer Saloon as they aren't as common as hatchs in NZ and the boot is massive, also they look a little quirky with the shapely front end and the brick rear.

I had a 3 door hatchback and loved the simplicity of the shape compared with the 4/5 door versions.

I've had more hatchbacks but I still maintain the saloon is a better drive, they're also notably quieter

Don't own one sadly but I prefer the saloon, always liked that square purposeful rear, straight window and the shaped rear hear rests visible.

Personally prefer the Hatches, especially the 3 doors.

You can get a lot less in it though, as the aperture is so much smaller.

I really don't like the saloon, it's visibly an afterthought (it's clearly a box stuck on the back!) and the bumpers not only don't fit well (as per every 300) but they are too short too as it just uses the ones from the hatch.

I have a real issue with saloons, the practicality is just removed. A friend has an E class merc ~'94 and I've had to carry tables etc for him even though the car and boot is so much bigger, you just can't put things in it. The only one I can deal with is the (lower spec? uk spec? not sure what designates it) classic shape Impreza. I know 2 of them well, one has foldable rear seats which just makes it bearable.

On that line, whoever didn't fit a split rear seat in the 300 hatch deserves a slap.

Certainly practicality wise there's no contest, hatch every time. But I'll add some perspective as Chris is in his 'I can't get a bonnet in the boot' mode :P

The saloon shell has to be structurally more rigid with a fixed rear screen, solid rear seat base/bulkhead. There's noticeably less road noise transferred into the car - plus you also get rear head restraints as standard :) I'm not 100% sure but I think the saloon is marginally lighter than the equivalent 5 door.

They can look a bit awkward from certain angles, the rear roofline is a bit weird, the bumper fit is a bit strange and sometimes from certain angles the C pillar looks too narrow. I'm probably blinkered but I loved my old one :D

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/3522/10004166dg.jpg