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AIBU?

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Original poster

to take the piss out of 4x4s

636 replies

JoanBias · 30/10/2012 23:19

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?

OP posts:
Gingersstuff · 31/10/2012 17:15

A show of wealth?? [hhmm]
I've had 2 4x4's in amongst all the old bangers in my long driving career. My Grand Cherokee was 12 years old when I bought it (as we live out in the sticks, not that it matters) and was 14 when she went to the scrapheap. I remember being roundly berated by one pompous twit on the school run one day for being "environmentally-unfriendly"...until I pointed out that since she changed her new car every 3 years, she'd bought 4 brand-new vehicles with all the associated environmental unfriendliness in the same period that my old girl had been on the road.

Very, very few of the 4x4 owners that I know have them to demonstrate any sort of wealth. They have them because they NEED them. And you know what? That's just absolutely dandy. Each to their own eh??

WileyRoadRunner · 31/10/2012 17:23

Is this "competitive austerity"?

Perhaps 4x4 drivers should stow SmartCars in their boots for town usage.

Fwiw 4x4 s don't go up on the verge in country lanes because ultimately the small car will always give in and squeeze out the way. Simples.

Usedtobefun · 31/10/2012 19:13

I drive an XC90 and chose it specifically as it was the most spacious 7 seat car in terms of having all seats up and still having room for the luggage that a large family entails. All the people carriers I looked at had naff all space for luggage so for me it was a hugely practical decision.

I used to have a Peugeot 205 and I can categorically state that I am a much better/ safer driver since having a 4x4 than when I had a small car. I always reverse into parking spaces (even by other 4x4's) and always park straight and make sure I leave enough space to safely open the doors for the kids to get out.
To generalise about any particular car owner really is a stupid thing to do. It is my right to drive a 4x4 and nobody else's business I drive safely and no more block be road than any work van or lorry.

I also drive my DH saloon car and have never had a problem seeing past other cars, surely your biggest concern is the car in front not the one 3 cars in front what is he major concern with the height of 4x4 surely we should all be looking through our front windscreen not the windscreen of the car in front. We all manage with lorries and vans so what's the big deal??

Backinthebox · 31/10/2012 20:48

To generalise about any particular car owner really is a stupid thing to do

I'm going to save this and trot it out for any future car debates. It sums up the sensible approach perfectly.

Jusfloatingby · 31/10/2012 21:13

We 'manage' with vans and lorries because we have to because they're necessary for certain jobs and certain types of transportation. In the same way I'm happy to 'manage' with 4x4s where they're necessary. I am not happy about having my view obscured in car parks and at junctions or being delayed turning left because a big SUV is in my way or knowing that someone belonging to me could be more seriously injured if they're in an accident with one of these, in situations where the owner is driving them simply to show off/look cool/have a bit of extra comfort.

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 31/10/2012 22:00

I drove a big van once, when we moved house.

Because it had no back windows there was no rear view mirror. I couldn't see what was behind me. I didn't feel the need to hack a hole in the back doors to make sure I had perfect vision though. I managed fine with the wing mirrors when I reversed and I didn't hit anything.

Certainly never had anyone stop me and complain that my van was impeding their clear view of the road ahead. Because, you know, other traffic is allowed to be on the road and sometimes it will be a van or a lorry and you won't be able to see through it. Please don't come on here and complain about all these delivery lorries and ambulances getting in your way.

Jusfloatingby · 31/10/2012 22:08

Ilove what on earth are you on about??? Who has complained about delivery lorries and ambulances which perform essential services , particularly ambulances.
Are you seriously saying that 4x4s in suburban areas are on a par with ambulances, fire brigades etc Shock

ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 31/10/2012 22:13

What did everyone drive before there were 4x4s, though? [genuinely puzzled emoticon].

I remember the three of us being in a Volvo, and even a Nissan Micra (no car seats then!).

Before that, what, the wagon? Or did people just walk???

Plomino · 31/10/2012 22:13

Well I have a Disco on the drive . Yes it's shiny . Looks beautifully clean in fact . But that's because it's been for its yearly service this week and the garage mucked it out and washed it as part of the deal . Normally it has a tide mark of crap up the sides , bags of horse / dog feed / farty arsed greyhounds / hairy horse rugs / boots in the back. And yes , it has been known to get parked outside the school gates . But then trying to fit me plus five kids in assorted car seats into my eco friendly small car , is a total non starter . Of course , if you'd like me to take the Landy home , and then return to the supermarket car park in my Eco friendly vehicle instead of doing one trip ...

And all my neighbours in this village have Landys , shoguns or other large and ostentatious vehicles . Because they all farm. Our supermarket car park is full of them . And yet everyone seems to manage . Curious .

OP , you'd hate my area .

RinderThrillerNight · 31/10/2012 22:18

jusfloating, the problem with your argument is that you do not have a clue which 4x4 is "necessary". And of course what is necessary is a very subjective thing anyway: what might be necessary to one person may not seem necessary to another. As I said way up thread, sometimes I drive my 4x4 in a city (sometimes even in SW London Shock) but I don't live there, I am just visiting. Am I meant to have a car suitable for each location I visit? For each type of weather?

Just because someone is driving a 4x4 in London does not mean they don't drive it elsewhere. Fwiw, if they don't I really don't care - it is entirely their business.

Jusfloatingby · 31/10/2012 22:23

Rinder I am not making individual judgments. It is obvious, from the amount of 4x4s on suburban roads that many of them are not being used for necessary reasons but because they have become fashionable. In fact I know lots of people who just buy them because they like them.
And it is other people's business if these monstrosities are causing problems for them in driving safely.
This point has already been answered several times. Why are you raising it again while not actually disputing the answer already given but simply ignoring it?????

Of course lots of people use them for valid reasons. But lots of people also buy them to show off, have the lastest thing, keep up with the Joneses etc. Are you seriously saying this is not the case?

Plomino · 31/10/2012 22:26

Rinder , you don't do you ? How dare you not have a vehicle for every occasion ?

Mind you , we once took our Disco to Surrey once , to visit my mother with all the kids . Our car was the filthiest one there !

RinderThrillerNight · 31/10/2012 22:34

jusfloating, can I politely ask why you feel the need to overuse question marks? What exactly am I ignoring? I am confused.

Plomino, I know Grin I regularly drive to Surrey too to see family. And my car is usually one of the dirtiest there. Mind you, the Chelsea tractors around there are mainly driven by Chelsea players!

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 31/10/2012 22:39

My point, Jus, is that the op doesn't know who needs a 4x4 and who doesn't and is coming across as a tad entitled.

But that's 4x4 bashing for you.

Jusfloatingby · 31/10/2012 22:42

Rinder can I politely suggest that you read the thread rather than asking questions that have already been answered. overandover

RinderThrillerNight · 31/10/2012 22:48

I disagree with the points you have made. I stand by my view that people can drive what they want, so long as it's legal.

I can say that as many times as you want but I think we must agree to disagree. I have no wish to keep repeating myself. Hth Smile

Jusfloatingby · 31/10/2012 22:54

Eh,neither have I Rinder but, as usual, you just carry on as if no one has spoken.
Anyway, I'm off to bed. This is getting like Groundhog Day.

Night.

RinderThrillerNight · 31/10/2012 23:08

Amazing jus. You're banging on about the same stuff on the other 4x4 thread. Personally, I can only be arsed to have the same argument in one place. Perhaps that's where you're getting things confused.

mathanxiety · 01/11/2012 00:49

It doesn't matter whether anyone 'needs' a 4x4, or what reason they drive one. They are available to buy. If you can afford one and feel like it you can buy one, and drive it wherever you feel like driving it, whenever you fell like it. No-one has to justify their choice of vehicle to anyone else.

inapineappleunderthesea · 01/11/2012 02:06

If I had the money,I would buy the new range rover,simply because I think its beautiful,I also like the baby range rover,the evoque,the bmw X5 is also not bad,the point is I would buy what I want,I don't care what anyone else thinks,my money (if I had any) my choice,simples!!!

wordfactory · 01/11/2012 08:16

4x4s are a show of wealth? Really?

Surely that's only the case with Rangies? And new ones at that....

There are far more expensive and utterly impractical cars than a 4x4. I know because we always have at least one Wink.

Bonsoir · 01/11/2012 08:51

DP would love to have a small car. But the realities of living in a big city (massive shortage of parking space, high costs of garage rental) mean that he has to put up with a 4X4 on a daily basis in order to have a car that is large enough to transport the whole family, plus luggage, when we drive to a ski resort or to the coast for a holiday.

impty · 01/11/2012 09:10

There are two cars on my drive and the 4x4 is the most fuel efficient of the two!

My 4x4 has a 5* NCAP rating. In an accident we will be well protected. If you are not in your car that's your look out. Not that I've had an accident, I am a safe driver etc, etc.

If I won the lottery tomorrow I would buy a new Range Rover with leather Westminster seats (drools).

I can't see how my car choice is really any thing to do with anyone else? Maybe those with an opinion should just mind there own business.

impty · 01/11/2012 09:11

*Their not there.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 01/11/2012 10:14

Sigh.... Range rovers (especially sports) are, as are really naff ones like the Lexus one, and various other big blingy things whose names I don't all know.

Not old landrovers on farms, not old old cars, spanking shining RRs and X5s, yes. Of course. Obviously.