to take the piss out of 4x4s

[JoanBias]

Picked dd up from school today, she pointed at I think a Landrover Freelander (I'm not an expert) in the car park, and said 'why is that there?'

I said 'maybe they're a farmer'.

Said vehicle had clearly been the subject of regular waxing, leather interior, and so on and looked the shiniest vehicle in the car park, so this was obviously not the case, certainly not in this area.

DD said 'maybe they built that building there?'

'Maybe', I said.

I could say 'because some people make inappropriate and antisocial car choices'.

But taking the piss seems better?

Oh I take the piss out of DH's all the time :) It's like driving a tank.

But there's loads of us so we need it for space.

I remember an article in the Irish Times a few years ago where people who drove 4x4s were being interviewed and one driver said he loved driving his because people 'showed him more respect' on the road. The letters page for the next few days was quite interesting

It's a bit like personalised number plates.

People buy them, essentially, to impress people. While they won't admit this, and possibly even aren't aware of it, subconsciously this is the voice of their inner child screaming "look at me, haven't I done well". Consciously, I guess it is rationalised as "a bit of fun", or whatever, but deep down it's all driven by an ego that needs massaging.

The really sad thing is that nobody is impressed by a personalised number plate, or for that matter, by a city 4x4. The most common reaction is to assume that the owner is probably a bit of a tosser.

A two seater, completely impractical sports car could be considered showoffy.

So people on the other side of the road can't get passed these colossal vehicles either then?

Or are you in fact exaggerating a little bit?

Is that the common reaction is it?

Hmmm.

^^ That is a good point about personalised number plates.

Yes FunBagFreddie. But they don't tend to block pavements outside schools.

DH's (city) 4x4 has a personalised plate He's not a tosser though.

Who cares? There are worse things to spend money on.

No MrsKeith I am talking about a situation where there is a right turning and left turning lane, both just about wide enough to accommodate a normal sized car.

Maybe not a tosser (i don't know him) but some people will think he is if he has personalised number plates.

"I am sure 4x4s are very useful if you spend your days driving across fields or up mountains. People who use them to drop their two kids to school in the suburbs or to go to the shopping centre".

I drive my 4x4 in towns and cities sometimes because I only have the one car. Most often though I am in the country. My 4x4 is quite often sparkling clean when I am driving it in a city because it has been caked in mud from driving it round here (including on verges to let other cars pass me on narrow country lanes) and if I am going out in nice clothes, I don't want them to get dirty so I take the car through a car wash.

What do you suggest I do Justfloating? Get another car for the half a dozen times a year I venture into London?

I agree that some of them look very ostentatious. I'm not really comfortable with any overt show of wealth; be it a big expensive car; designer labels or a mansion.

I am not envious of people who have those sorts of cars, because I'm not interested in cars. We have a Ford Mondeo which is about as suburban as you can get. If I had a lot of money, I don't think a new car would be the first thing on my list, since the one we have is quite cheap to run and insure and gets us from A to B.

Annunziata

I'm sure he isn't a tosser. Most people aren't. We all have an inner child dying to scream "look at me, haven't I done well". We just don't often get much of a glimpse.

FFS have you SEEN most 4x4?

I adore my Volvo but let's face it, it's not going to win any design/aesthetics awards. Pretty, it ain't.

Why on Earth would I drive something so ugly to "show off"?

Now people driving convertibles in Scotland...

JoanBias, size is no object when it comes to dumbass parking at the local primary, I can assure you! I live near it and one of the stupid bitches ran over my wheely bin which was actually on the grass at the side of the lane.

I've finally read the whole thread, and like many other such threads on MN over the years, the 4x4 drivers fall into three categories:

1. Those that genuinely need them

1. Those that don't need them but jump up and down trying to justify why they do

1. Those that don't give a shit and unapologetically say 'up yours' to eveyone else

Which kind of sums it up really.

I have never read a compelling argument to own one, other than if I had to tow something or live up a mountain. I have however read many compelling arguents about why I should not, which is why I don't. And please don't patronise us SUV haters by saying we must be jealous. I love my estate car and would feel like a prick in a 4x4!

Rinder I meant people who use them solely for city and suburban driving.

A glimpse of what, mrsbethel?

The inner child.

We don't need the ones we have. They aren't even on the road. They are toys that cost very little and are used for fun.

On the occasions one has been on the road (bad winters) they've been really bloody useful.

Now we're in a position where putting one back on the road suits our needs and requirements. Whether or not my reasons fit your criteria of what is acceptable is of little concern to me.

And there motors aren't ostentatious displays of wealth (ha) but battered work horses that are reliable and practical.

So is that acceptable?

I fear this is yet another situation where someone should write down the rules. When is it ok to own one? What type is acceptable? When can I drive it? What should I wear? Please someone clarify these so one can avoid looking like a dim (?) arrogant twat.

Oh DH's inner child is fully visible, he jumped out at me wearing a gorilla mask today.

But, as I said, we have 6 kids. We need the space.

Good good. Your reasons for needing to put one of your toys back on the road is of little interest to me too. Unless of course it goes into the back of my car. Or runs over someone I know!