Why do people drive big cars they can’t manage?

But why get a car that suits your lifestyle when you can get an impractical car instead?

Our school run is overrun with Land Rovers. One is particularly annoying: tricked out with bespoke design features and with a personalised number plate. At least it’s memorable when we all see her scrape the sides of cars as she tries to fit through too narrow a lane.

I live on a narrow road, just enough room for cars on two sides if everyone goes right up against the kerb; bin lorry fits down the middle only if we have all scraped the kerb and all the wing mirrors are tucked in, has to go SLOW. If you’re parking and adjusting position, a normal car can get past while you’re still wiggling to get as close to the kerb as pos for everyone else. Big SUVs can’t though, so they just squat there watching you like an exam invigilator. Just drive a normal car and you’d long be on your way, pal!

Would you say this about someone driving a Peugeot 3008 or just range rovers because of this stereotype you’re so hung up on? Both cars are about the same size but one is just a car, while the other is associated with a certain type of person.

I can fit all my camping gear in my Smart ForTwo, I just needed to be very mindful of what I bought and how much space it took up. Even when DS was little and we went camping as a family, we only had a Peugeot 206SW and that was tiny in comparison to cars now.

People always say they need the space for camping. Then get roof boxes for their SUVs! I camp regularly with large canvas tents (one a 6m emperor bell), no way could we fit our stuff in a SUV boot. We have an estate.

Get a people carrier for multiple kids. SUVs are rarely justified.

And sit in the middle lane at 65…

What my issue is with these people is that they get gigantic expensive cars and park in disabled spaces without a badge so they have the extra room to be able to get out and so no one scratches their precious car.

They clearly aren’t too big for the road or they wouldn’t be allowed.

I hate the tiny cars that get up to 70mph in a week and a half. They are far more likely to cause accidents going so slow

How does "everyone" know the exact yearly mileage of the driver though?

If I see someone driving an SUV how do I know whether they are a "casual" driver and thus deserve compulsory mockery or someone who lives in the countryside/commutes more than 2k miles a year/has a job moving big objects?

Please let me know, I want to know when I'm supposed to be laughing?
Wouldn't want to let the side down and make you have to amend your ridiculous generalisation!

Oh and I drive a C1 before you think I've got any skin in the game...

But they have literally nothing to do with how anyone parks a car, which this thread is actually about? And what does being a “novice” driver have to do with anything? As a novice driver, yes I’m sure I was shit at quite a few things. I wasn’t in an SUV though, most novice drivers aren’t?

i drive a big Mitsubishi and a tiny Skoda. The big car is easier to park as your peripheral vision is better. Plus the turning circle is more responsive. YABU

@LadeOde I've seen 7 out of 8 of the things you listed, and none of them were novice drivers, just bad drivers.

I think it's fair to say that a bad driver is a novice driver who never progressed beyond being a novice.

@Whenim63 No way anyone can tell that from how someone parks a car. Nor does how anyone parks a car tell you anything about your long (and frankly, slightly obsessive) list?

I presented a list of signs of a novice driver. If you are saying those are not signs of a novice driver, then you are incorrect.

You honestly believe that someone who drives an suv and is shit at parking also the exceeds the speed limit or uses the phone whilst driving?

All of the points are obviously independent. A novice driver can display all of those traits, or only some.

I've seen 7 out of 8 of the things you listed, and none of them were novice drivers, just bad drivers.

A school run mum was driving one of these and very nearly scraped my friends Suzuki Swift slowly trying to move out of a side road because she couldnt wait. We were on the main road and traffic was at a standstill.

See a lot of RRs locally but rarely parked badly. Maybe they have a lot of kids? Like the high road position?

'Hubby's RR?' sexist much, can women not own a RR, it has to be hubby's?

Car manufacturers design with their most profitable markets in mind. Not UK requirements.

It surprises me that people buy /lease such impractical vehicles. Some must come to regret their choice as they struggle to park it in a standard parking space, or experience anxiety every time they meet other vehicles in narrow country lanes.

I said 3 kids, 5 dogs and drives 70k miles per year for work. No way anyone can tell that from how someone parks a car. Nor does how anyone parks a car tell you anything about your long (and frankly, slightly obsessive) list? You honestly believe that someone who drives an suv and is shit at parking also the exceeds the speed limit or uses the phone whilst driving? Based on what exactly?

There’s never any real reason for having a giant SUV/RR. I grew up in a family of multiple kids and we had one of those long estate cars. It was great, could get loads in it. People like SUVs because they like being high up, but yeah, so many of them a) can’t manoeuvre them and b) think they can just barrel straight at you and you will have to give way no matter what.
It’s scary how massive cars are getting. My car was a mid size hatchback but it’s really old now so looks tiny next to newer versions. My car is so old it has a tape deck but at least I can park the fucker.

@Whenim63 You don't need a Range Rover for SUV for 3 kids. Obviously you will be aware that 30 years ago, very few people drove SUVs, and yet everyone was able to get around fine in moderate-sized sedans.

To answer your question in terms of being able to know who is who, OP already covered this in their original post; you can tell who is a novice driver from their driving style.

Signs of novice drivers (or poor driving) include:

1. Difficulty manoevuring or parking a large vehicle.
2. Poor lane discipline.
3. Not adhering to road signs and road markings.
4. Exceeding the speed limit.
5. Driving aggressively, or road rage.
6. Not showing consideration for other road users, particularly vulnerable road users.
7. Engine idling.
8. Using a phone while driving or while the engine is running.

Hate to break it to you “love” but some of us earn our own money, don’t need DH to fund our lifestyle and also choose to buy a RR. Cash, not finance. This appears to be shocking to you, but I assure you, it is absolutely possible 😘

Genuine question. How do you know who is who? You see a woman/man on their own in a RR at the supermarket. How can you possibly know what they do with that car the rest of the time? They might have 3 kids, 5 dogs and drive 70k miles per year for work? You wouldn’t know that?

@HulinSings I agree OP.

People who drive massive cars when their annual mileage is only 7k - 8k a year, and they only use their car for commuting to work, going to the supermarket, or doing the school run, reminds me of the novice golfers who show up to a golf course with a new £1000 set of golf clubs. Everyone sees those people, and they laugh. Just as they laugh at casual drivers who can't manoevure massive overpriced cars.

Buy a large car if your job involves moving a lot of heavy, bulky objects. Or if you're someone who drives for a living or commutes more than 20k miles a year, then perhaps it makes sense to have a comfortable car.

If your car is just a means to get to your job, go to the supermarket, or do the school run, then your place is in an A segment or B segment car.

If you're a casual driver who can't manoevure a massive SUV, then everyone is looking at you and they are laughing.

Hello bad parker here with a big car 🙋‍♀️ (not a RR)!

I’m excellent at driving, if I say so myself, I’ll drive miles anywhere, but am completely terrible with parking. Got a much bigger car than I am used to last October, but am part exchanging it for a much smaller car in 4 weeks, just waiting for it to arrive at the dealer.

I realised once I bought it that I’d bitten off more than I could chew, yes I went for a couple of test drives but I thought I would get used to it!

It’s got all the bells and whistles and gizmos with parking sensors and cameras galore, but no, it’s not for me. Have to say I did see a woman park a very big car in a very small car space last week - I was envious of her!