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AIBU?

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Original poster

4x4's

80 replies

sweetgilly · 01/02/2011 18:49

Is my DP being unreasonable when he say's that most 'school run' mum's wouldn't have a clue how to extract themselves using the four wheel drive facility on their Chelsie tractors, should the need arise? If he is indeed correct, then why spend silly amounts on vehicles with this facility?

OP posts:
amarone · 01/02/2011 20:18

Might start a thread on BMW drivers...

Alouiseg · 01/02/2011 20:19

I live in Essex, I'm surrounded by 4x4's but people I know tend to be intelligent enough to figure out the gadgetry on their cars. Fwiw my current car is the easiest thing to park ever, despite its size.

I'm in North Essex though...nine of that "only way is Essex" Bollocks around here. Wink

warthog · 01/02/2011 20:21

reason i hate 4x4s:

because i live in a really narrow road and vans can't get through it if two 4x4s park opposite each other. so the van driver parks and knocks on MY door to ask me if i can move one of them.

the neighbourhood with the largest percentage of chelsea tractors is indeed chelsea at 17% of all cars on road being tractors, next up is kensington, then aberdeenshire.

Original poster
sweetgilly · 01/02/2011 20:22

I should have added that DP is an ex Paris - Dakar competitor. To suggest he is is sexist is bull sh!t given that he has two female competitors who he counts as good mates.

OP posts:
bitofcheese · 01/02/2011 20:23

Alouiseg - small world! have pity!! for i live in the thick of it (aka 'only way is essex' land)...although putting that aside, i love living in essex, just depends which part :)

Alouiseg · 01/02/2011 20:27

SweetGilly "some of my best friends are Women" good try Hmm

Eve · 01/02/2011 20:31

I love mine, I can drive it , I can put it in 4 wheel drive, in fact it's in 4 wheel drive most weekends at the moment.

Not only can I drive it forwards but I can also reverse it with a trailer on the back into a parking space! Would like to see most of you try that?

In fact I'm very proud of my trailer reversing skills...

I tow horses around most weekends, I need the 4x4 to meet legal tow weights. Around here I know of a few people that have been stopped and put on weigh bridge, worst culprits are weekenders towing boats with cars.

onceamai · 01/02/2011 20:32

Don't have one but might replace the French banger with one in the summer - they're brilliant for clearing the road humps round here and my SD says there are some great bargains to be had because of the fuel price hike Wink. Having said that the French banger was road tested to make sure it just cleared them 10 years ago but it would be easier in a tractor and far more stylish too Grin. Would ruin my non posy cred though - oh pity the silly sods who have them on finance agreements Blush.

Alouiseg · 01/02/2011 20:39

There was a family round here who had a Bentley, they swanned around for a few months before it got towed away on a low loader...they had £73k worth of finance on it!!!!!!! I shouldn't have laughed...but obviously I did.

mellicauli · 01/02/2011 20:42

I am not sure that having 2 female friends means that your not sexist. He has made a disparaging comment about the ability of females based on a generalisation. If that's not sexist, what is?

amarone · 01/02/2011 20:43

Actually, buying 4x4s on finance makes a lot more financial sense at the moment.

Onceamai might diss it but as she said, 'there are some bargains to be had because of the fuel price hike' Grin

onceamai · 01/02/2011 20:45

Amarone I wouldn't dream of buying a brand new car. Cash down and hard negotiation for something two years old to be kept for at least another 8 wins every time. Ask Honest John.

SpeedyGonzalez · 01/02/2011 20:49

Don't 4x4s guzzle more petrol than normal cars, and therefore spew out more emissions? As do people carriers.

I'd say that most definitely is my business.

amarone · 01/02/2011 20:51

Buy an ex-demonstrator. You still get 3 years warranty. They tend to start costing money after that...

onceamai · 01/02/2011 21:01

They don't start costing money when they're out of warranty and you take them to my boys under the arches - they start costing less!

PigeonPair · 01/02/2011 21:09

You don't have to drive a tank to have four wheel drive. I have an estate (Audi) which I lurve. It is four wheel drive and was solid as a rock in the recent snow. Not all massive cars are four wheel drive anyway (ie. friends' huge Volvo is either front or rear wheel drive - can't remember which) and she was skidding all over the shop! The large 4x4's might be safer in a smash but as the centre of gravity is higher, they might not be safer in a swerve/skid situation.

Dawnybabe · 01/02/2011 21:15

Pretty sure the huge Volvo XC90 is 4 wheel drive... I'm sure that was it's selling point. Will check.

Dawnybabe · 01/02/2011 21:19

The XC60 which is like a small 4x4, and the XC70 which is like a chunky estate are available in front wheel or all wheel drive. The biggest one, the XC90, is all wheel drive only.

Did everybody get that?

(I heart XC90)

PigeonPair · 01/02/2011 21:21

The XC60 is lovely.

Dawnybabe · 01/02/2011 21:47

Yes it is.

They all are!

I can't afford one though. Envy

amarone · 01/02/2011 22:01

In my experience, they do start costing money once the warranty has run out! A bit like the Sky box thing...

Maybe I'm just unlucky?

SpeedyGonlalez yes they probably do, but don´t judge people driving them. You have no idea why they drive them. 4x4 or people carrier; in my case because I have to.

I have 4 children and the last 2 were twins. These things happen, and I feel very lucky despite the hardship it brought.

Having people judging me for what car I drive, without knowing my circumstances, just makes me despair the intelligence/EQ of the people it's coming from.

PS. I like the XC90.

GMajor7 · 01/02/2011 22:04

I'm not that bothered, but occasionally someone will drive a 4x4 behind me very menacingly and I'm not too keen on that!!

madammecholet · 01/02/2011 22:12

amarone I've got a BMW 4x4...

BUT, I live in the sticks, have kids to fill it, can use the 4 x 4 function easily and ALWAYS let people out infront of me in queues..

Bucking the trend... :)

MissAnglia · 01/02/2011 22:21

4x4s are far too big for city driving. Completely unnecessary and difficult to manouevre as rear visiibility has been proved to be poor. Some 4x4s "cut in" automatically when it's slippery to allow extra grip, so you don't actually have to do anything so to speak.

I'm with thenightsky. Having looked at lots of 4x4s this winter I have decided that all of them are far too big, ugly and aggressive-looking for my taste. I live down a country lane which was treacherous during the recent snow, so now have bought winter tyres and am hoping they will solve the problem (as much as it can be anyway).

amarone · 01/02/2011 22:28

madammecholet I'll let you off for driving an X5!

I'm a Q7 madam...