Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not know why people drive Unnecessarily Big Cars?

155 replies

herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 20:42

So, the thing is, lots of people I know have started to buy what I call Unnecessarily Big Cars (henceforth known as UBCs). One example would be a VW Tourag (not totally sure how you spell that). Not the space wagon one, the sort of four wheel-y drive one. Or another family we know have just bought a Landrover Discovery. These are families with two or possibly three children. They live in a very big city. They do not regularly if ever drive 'off-road'. I just really don't know why people buy these cars, so this is a genuine question. Is it because they need the space? Because we have two children and don't feel that we do. If it's something else, what is it? I just ... I don't know, if I'm totally honest I find these cars a little obnoctious. And the funny thing is the people we know who have bought them would have laughed with us a couple of years ago about wallys driving around in Chelsea Tractors but now they are the ones driving the tractors and I'm too scared to ask them what changed! Any thoughts?

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 16/02/2011 20:46

main thought is - none of your beeswax and you sound a little too interested in your friends choices

Vallhala · 16/02/2011 20:48

Because some of us view cars as more than just a means of getting from A to B. :)

The man in my life has a Landrover Discovery. He has one child and she's now an adult. Admittedly he takes his Landy up to the wilds of Scotland but mainly he drives it because he likes it and it will get him about in all weathers (he regularly drives from the South to the far north of England too).

I like bigger cars, I have no interest in or desire to drive silly piddling little things. I used to work on the technical side of motor dealerships and am a self-confessed petrol-head. The faster the better too, thank you very much. :)

AMumInScotland · 16/02/2011 20:49

If you want to know why a particular person does something, your best bet is to ask them directly. If they are your friends, and they used to dislike large cars, it's fair enough to say "Gosh, you didn't used to like cars like that, what changed?" Then you will know!

kahlua4me · 16/02/2011 20:52

I have a landrover freelander and live in a town. I bought it as I needed a new car and my parents' neighbours were emigrating so got it from them at a good price.
Saying that though I love it. Feel so safe in it and kids love being high up. I was in a bad car crash many years ago and this car is so solid I feel much better driving it about. I did worry about size and fuel cost to start with but now would not change it!
My dh drives a landrover defender which makes mine look tiny, but he is constantly driving through fields and rivers with his job so is very justified in having it, I think!!

ipredicttrouble · 16/02/2011 20:54

Because some people have a passion/interest for cars like others have a passion/interest for reading.

kahlua4me · 16/02/2011 20:54

Will also agree with valhalla, best to have a car that you love as well as one just to get you there.
With our landies the journey is just as good as the desination! More, my dh would probably say!!

Original poster
herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 20:56

I think this answers my question to a very large extent! Because they are nice to drive for people who like driving. I get it.

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 16/02/2011 20:56

It will be different reasons for different people.

In towns it is usually to be flash of course.

Ever heard of status symbols?

Vicky2011 · 16/02/2011 20:57

Is it something to do with the weather? I don't mind admitting that the last couple of winters have made me look at 4x4s in a completely different light. We live in a valley (makes is sound v grand, it's basically an estate which was built in a dip) but for 2 winters running now we have had a week where we have not been able to get out and have lost quite a lot in wages due to both being freelance / contractors.

Obviously there are loads of reasons why people like 4x4s and of course some of them do it because they like being bigger than other things on the road but if you are saying that people you know appear to have changed their views on 4x4s, I wonder if the weather may be part of it.

Original poster
herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 20:58

Well, bibbity, I must admit that was my concern. But I also totally accept as above that some people just like big cars. No problem.

OP posts:
cat64 · 16/02/2011 20:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 20:59

Yes - weather could play a part for sure. Get that also.

OP posts:
moonstorm · 16/02/2011 20:59

I don't want a big car, but in order to fit 2 car seats and 2 passengers (gps) I am going to have to buy one - smaller cars aren't wide enough in the back.

onceamai · 16/02/2011 21:00

Well in Wandsworth and Merton there are so many speed humps that you have to try to protect the suspension of what you drive and it's the only way of completing the school run without causing undue irritation to the big cars behind you.

cathers · 16/02/2011 21:01

I have a ubc. Went from a Clio to this car last year. I love it and the possibilities it brings.
I love being able to chuck the kids bikes in the back and go out for the day.
I love being able to fit in one car if we have the in laws or the kids friends over.
I love being able to go one holiday and not travel with a suitcase under my knees as it fits in the boot, with the buggy, travel cot etc...
I love being able share lifts with other mums, taking my son, baby and his three friends to after school clubs
It makes me feel safe and makes my life easier.

Original poster
herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 21:03

As I said, too scared to ask becuase I'm too wet. And don't want to sound judgemental - God knows, I'm obnoctious often enough I'm sure. I'm not worried about it though! I'm interested. Of course I understand why people buy them when they are needed because they live on a farm or even in a valley or whatever. I just didn't know what makes them more appealing than any other car in other situations. Does nobody else have friends who do things that are slightly confusing to them at times and just wonder what the rationale is? By the way, I would also add that these are not my closest friends who I do feel I could ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 21:04

Cathers - that also makes a lot of sense. Maybe I should buy an UBC!!

OP posts:
RatherBe · 16/02/2011 21:09

But herecomesthetide, you are being judgemental. Your use of the word 'unnecessarily' is a judgement.

simonedeboudoir · 16/02/2011 21:10

It's really very simple, imo

People who drive enormous great big 4X4s primarily for the purpose of ferrying 2 or 3 children to school then popping to waitrose do so because they are vain selfish morons

Original poster
herecomesthetide · 16/02/2011 21:13

Yes - ratherbe - I totally admit that. Poor choice of words, guess I was just being silly. But also to me they seemed unnecessary. I guess my suspicion was that they were being bought as status symbols. Answers on this thread are convincing me otherwise. But in any case, as other people on this thread have also pointed out, if people want to drive around in status symbols that's none of my business! Which I also agree is true.

OP posts:
breatheslowly · 16/02/2011 21:17

It wouldn't be so bad if the ubcs weren't bigger than parking spaces. I would like to see special ubc sized spaces at the far end of each car park. That way you wouldn't have to wait for the ubc owner to attempt a 47 point turn to squeeze into a space or try to put your DC into their seats when a ubc has parked right up next to your car.

feedme · 16/02/2011 21:23

yes, you're right, there's definately been a change. When I used to collect my kids from school the cars lined up were generally smaller than they are now. Today enourmous cars seem to be the norm.
Can't see why myself. It cost me £43 to fill up my little car today, so the recession can't have bitten too hard so far - heaven only knows what they cost to run.

Alouiseg · 16/02/2011 21:23

To go with their unnecessarily big dogs of course!

Proud owner of unecessarily big dog and unnecessarily big car.

Do you think we should all live in the same size houses too?

You might think my house is Unecessarily Big [I wish]

Big houses are worse for the environment than small houses, they use more resources.

My UBC will be greener on a dust to dust basis than any battery powered "green" car. It'll last longer, it's more recyclable and their are fewer rare earth minerals used in its production.

onessa · 16/02/2011 21:23

Because I want to.
Because I like my 'big car'.
Don't 'need' it--just like it!!
Not asking anyone else to pay for the high tax/high petrol...just enjoy my car....and why shouldn't I--I have earned it!!
(Landrover discovery....not a farm in sight....)

PukeyMummy · 16/02/2011 21:26

We have a big car and a small car. Most days my DH doesn't need a car and I am nipping about locally with DD so I use the small car.

Why do we have a big car? About once a week we need to have lots of boot or seat space for a large buggy and whatever/whoever else we are transporting, so we use the big car for that. It's cheaper for us - yes, we've done the sums - to own the big car (and we plan to own it for many years) than to hire a large car once a week. And it is an absolute joy to drive on longer motorway journeys, so much easier (with screaming child in the back) than the small car.

A small car is great for nipping about a city, but if you then need it for longer journeys at the weekends (to visit friends or grandparents or whatever), laden with luggage, and don't have the money/parking space for two cars (we are lucky), and can only buy one car then what should you do?

I did once ask a former colleague why he had a massive estate car when I knew he and his wife didn't have kids or a dog. He told me that they did a lot of charity work that necessitated transporting people and equipment around, so the car was needed to help with that. There can be a "good" explanation.

(BTW, I love my small car.)

Swipe left for the next trending thread