(27-07-2011 08:58am)paulus599 Wrote:  

(26-07-2011 04:53pm)brommy Wrote:  IF people are concerned about resale (I am, some genuinely may not be), the bottom line is how many people will be looking for a 2 seat rear compared to those (with or without kids), who prefer being able to carry the odd addition guest?

That's the point though isn't it? being able to carry the odd additional guest is possible wether you have 2 or 3 rear seats. In my case the car will almost always have only one or two people in it, so even with 'only' 2 seats in the back I could still carry the odd additional guests (not that I know that many odd people )

(27-07-2011 10:28am)oop north Wrote:  I would not be able to consider buying a car with just two rear seats. It is interesting (well I think it is) that there has been a rethink on several cars originally launched with two rear seats that are not getting three (iirc Audi a7, vw passat cc). So there is undoubtedly a selling restriction. Who knows if that will have a material effect on residuals though

(27-07-2011 10:14am)brommy Wrote:  As per my Audi A5 reference earlier, I still think many (not all) second hand buyers will look around an Evoque Coupe on a garage forecourt and say "Oh, it's missing a rear seat and there's no armrest either". If there are too many of these types, it will affect resale value. If there aren't, it won't. For the Coupe at least, I agree it is debaitable.

Anyway, this has drifted from my original question to vision*R who wanted 2 rear seats in a 5 door. Each to their own, but as an easy access, family suitable 5 door car, resale value is likely to take a hit.

(26-07-2011 03:24pm)brommy Wrote:  I'm interested why anyone would wish to reduce the number of seats in a car as wide as an Evoque. Even if someone can never imagine carrying 4 passengers, I believe the restriction of just 3 passenger seats could affect resale value, especially in a 4/5 door car. Are the two seats supposed to be so much more comfortable than the two outer seats of a 3 seat bench? It's not that anyone thinks 2 seats look better, surely? Even if they did, it wouldn't be a high priority, would it?

(27-07-2011 05:55pm)paulus599 Wrote:  OK, I'm going to continue the debate then

(27-07-2011 06:14pm)vision*R Wrote:  Personally I'd like a car with the spoilers of the Dynamic, the leather of the Prestige, 2 seats in a 5-door, bonnet intakes on a 5-door. All of this exists, just not on the same car. I would prefer total freedom instead of all these pre-defined sets of combinations.

(27-07-2011 06:23pm)Charlie Wrote:  Right - outside!

The guy from LR I spoke to said when the LRX was first designed (many years ago) they decided the coupe was going to be a 4 seater and he was one of designers that disagreed. Whilst it's easy to say you'll never carry no more than 3 passengers, having the option not to (safely with a seat belt) is crazy. This is not a 2 seater sports car. Looks like LR have realised their mistake and are correcting it. I totally agree you are limiting the resale value with 2 seats.

And 99% - hmmm!

(27-07-2011 05:55pm)paulus599 Wrote:  

(27-07-2011 10:14am)brommy Wrote:  As per my Audi A5 reference earlier, I still think many (not all) second hand buyers will look around an Evoque Coupe on a garage forecourt and say "Oh, it's missing a rear seat and there's no armrest either". If there are too many of these types, it will affect resale value. If there aren't, it won't. For the Coupe at least, I agree it is debaitable.

Anyway, this has drifted from my original question to vision*R who wanted 2 rear seats in a 5 door. Each to their own, but as an easy access, family suitable 5 door car, resale value is likely to take a hit.

OK, I'm going to continue the debate then
What you say just doesn't compute to me. Anyone who is looking at a second hand Evoque Coupe will surely be people who never carry more than 3 passengers, otherwise why would they even be considering that type of car. Obviously though the case for the A5 (sportback not coupe), A7 and Passat is different, being 4/5 door cars people buying them no doubt expect 3 rear seats (and an arm rest )

(27-07-2011 10:15pm)brommy Wrote:  In the short time I've been on this forum, I've already read posts from people with kids or people that say they regularly carry back seat passengers who are still choosing the Coupe; strange but true. Despite being a 3 door, they will be looking to avoid the restriction of just 2 rear seats.

You look puzzled () by the relative importance of a rear armrest. Obviously not a top priority but I do believe it adds to the comfort of 2 rear passengers. My rear armrest is used frequently when I carry adult friends. I find it strange that when the Evoque loses a rear seat it also loses the armrest function; just when there is a gaping space left for it!

It would be interesting to understand LR's decision to make the 3 seats standard, with the 2 seats as an option (currently no charge). Unless there is someone important at LR who is constantly pushing for the Evoque to remain as true to the LRX as possible, I wouldn't be surprised if the 2 seat rear is phased out in future years.