Doors

Vehicle doors need no introduction. They are a type of door that is hinged on the car and used for getting into and out of a vehicle. These doors are usually opened manually, but on some vehicles, such as minivans, certain doors may be powered. Most cars tend to have four doors, although coupes only have two front doors. Passengers who wish to sit in the back have to go through the front and fold up the front seats in order to get in.

Brands

While not necessary a brand per say, there are many different types of car doors. The conventional door is hinged at the front, allowing it to swing outward from the car. A suicide door is a term for a car door that is hinged at its rear rather than the front and swings open the opposite way. Sliding doors are common on minivans and commercial vans, while canopy doors sit on the top of the car and lift upwards.

Safety

For safety purposes, the conventional car door is the safest door available. While suicide doors may be aesthetically pleasing, they can be a safety hazard. At high speeds these doors can sometimes open, and passengers falling from moving vehicles can be hit by the door. For conventional doors, there are a number of features you can add to help make them safer, particularly for children. Child safety locks prevent rear seat passengers from opening the doors, which can help prevent children from accidentally opening the door during transit or getting out of the car at an unsafe time.

Benefits

No explanation is required as to why doors are important, and every car comes with doors these days. There are some advantages and disadvantages to choosing the number of doors, however. Four door cars, or sedans, are perfect family cars. They allow easy access to the back seat, for both passengers and storage purposes. The coupe is the stylish choice, however, and for people without families or without the need to transport items or people around, two doors is more than enough.

Drawbacks

The biggest drawback to the four door car, or sedan, is that it may not be as aesthetically pleasing as the two door coupe. Coupes, however, make it very difficult to transport people or storage. The lack of rear doors means passengers have to enter through one of the front doors and climb over a slightly folded up front seat to get into the back of the car. There also tends to be significantly less space for passengers in coupes. For types of doors, the conventional door that is hinged at the front is a better choice than suicide doors for safety reasons.

Cost

While the cost of car doors is included in the overall cost of purchasing your vehicle, it can be rather expensive to replace a damaged door. A brand new door from a dealership can cost upwards of $2000 after you factor in the door, the paint, and labor cost. Ideally, you should go to a junk yard and try to find a door that matches your vehicle. You may be able to find one for somewhere between $100 and $300, depending on the junkyard, which is significantly cheaper than purchasing one from the dealership.