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?

I get why you would have a 4 x 4, if you are farmer in the Scottish Highlands.

I even get it, if you have horses, and need a vehicle to tow a trailer. Or I have a friend who's husband has done up a 60 year old Landrover, and belongs to a 4 x 4 club.

I might even excuse a 4 x 4, for someone with a bad back, who cannot lower themselves into a car! (I'll believe anything).

I personally don't know why you'd need a Range Rover, living in a built up area. In my opinion, they are bought as status symbols, and ugly looking. I'd rather have a more fuel efficient, easier to park vehicle.

YANBU

I don't believe the OP. I have yet to meet a small child that has any idea about the acceptable car rules. Unless the child in question wasn't small at all, in which case even less likely they said that. A sarky comment would be more believable.

My Dh's 4X4 cost less than my fiat 500. His bl*dy supercars however, are what you guys should be really hot under the collar about. Pointless expensive inefficient show off-y pnis extensions (can you tell I don't like them? ) that don't even have a valid function. They can't cope with snow, floods or hoards of kids either.

Can we stop the 4x4 bashing now? It's old news. Move onto something that really matters?

The thing is though oohlaalaa who are you to "excuse" someone's choice of car? A car that you don't like as you say you need something "easier to park".

Rinder There is nothing arrogant about saying I am a confident driver. There is something arrogant about coming on here and advising someone you don't know to take a driving course because they are obviously a nervous driver if they find having their vision obscured by a 4x4 annoying. Its not just arrogant actually, its downright silly.

Oohlaalaa

You forgot all the people who regularly have to rescue people from the six feet of snow we regularly get on this side of the world.

Christ, is that the time. I really, really do have to go.

S'long. Its been an enlightening thread.

Er so you are a "confident" and "nervous" driver Jus?

I do think it matters, though.

I think it also matters that, generally, cars are getting bigger - there isn't enough space on the road, apart from obvious issues over fuel inefficiency. I'm prepared to accept that not all 4x4s are driven in an inconsiderate way, but of course when they are driven in an inconsiderate way that is much more apparent because of their size (ie if they are parked badly, push in, block access, mount the pavement etc). So part of the distaste directed towards them is because of their obvious visibility I guess.

They are undeniably, I would say, a very 'look at me' statement when not in an obvious context (on a farm). As such, it's unsurprising that many people 'look at them' and don't draw the most charitable of conclusions.

An unscientific conclusion based on my experience is that they are, along with Audi TTs, often driven in a particular way. Those new little Fiat things (100s?) always seem to be badly parked, too, though, to be fair.

Nothing wrong with wealth, nothing wrong with liking your car - but there's a lot about 4x4s that I'd distance myself from. The richest people I know drive an 05 reg Zafira, now I come to think of it.

Yeah you're right jus, that never happens, people have never required the assistance of a more capable vehicle in adverse conditions?

That Rota my dh is on for such occasions must be a piss take then.

WileyRoadRunner - True. I dislike them. I don't usually give it a second thought, and living in the countryside lots of family and friends have them. I expect they'd all have an excuse of sorts, for having these beasts. I recall one of my friends taking up scuba diving as a hobby, and having to get a Discovery for all the gear.

It must be inverted snobbery, on my part, but I do dislike the huge blinged up, personalised registration, range rovers. I just find them too obvious, look at me aren't I rich, status symbols.

Yes, I've got stuck in the verge, in wet conditions, on a country lane. I walked to the nearest farm, and the farmer towed me out using his tractor.

Landrovers also excellent for rescuing stuck vehicles.

I'm doubtful some of the owners, in cities, of blinged up 4 x 4's, would have a chain in their boot to rescue a stuck vehicle. Also they might get the 4 x 4 dirty.

Whether I judge 4 x 4 or not, depends on the situation.

It probably is a bit inverted snobbery on my part, in some ways. One of my favourite lines is 'live in the best house you can afford, and drive the worst car you can get away with' . It's a bit that, and a fair bit environmental too.

disclaimer, by 'get away with' obviously I mean that is safe, roadworthy, and has enough seats for children.

But steaming my brother's favourite saying is "you can live in a car, you can't drive a house"

I wouldnt wish to be rescued by any of your 4x4s thank you would rather stay in the snow
Big deal if you do all these rescues, stop bleating on about it like you are saving the world.....
Exit are you a manure covered terrorist? You dont scare me, with your threats.
I think you should go back to your spreadshit

I'm probably going to get called all sorts now but I honestly don't understand the argument that it's somehow "showing off" If you drive a nice car.

So what if it is?

So what if people have enough money to drive a "bling bling" car and want everyone to see it?

If you work hard and are lucky enough to have a decent standard of living and can afford a nice brand new car, are you supposed to drive around in a fourth hand Fiesta in case someone thinks you are showing off?

I really don't get this competitive austerity tbh.

Everyone must drive old cars and get 3 meals for 6 out of one chicken because otherwise you are showing off how much money you have.

I don't see the point of it all.

I have never rescued anyone who was snow bound.

I am too busy admiring my lovely 4x4 and counting all my money.

I drove a baby 4x4 for ten years and never rescued anyone from the snow. It did allow me to get to work in the snow which the fiesta and micra drivers in the office didn't.

Strike against the 4x4

And polishing your gun.....

Dear Prudence

The gun is purely metaphorical.

Exit

I am a perfectly assertive and skilled driver well able to drive around a city, push my way into heavy traffic etc etc. That doesn't mean I don't find it a bloody nuisance when there's a big SUV plonked beside me in a crowded car park with cars coming in both directions, people wheeling trollies, kids running ahead of their parents etc etc and it takes me ages to slowly reverse out so I don't hit anyone. I am not 'nervous' around them I just think they're annoying, particularly so when I know some of them have just been bought by silly show offs who want to make some kind of a statement by the car they drive and couldn't care less if they're inconvenient for other people.

I'll tell you what pisses me off -- it's parents who let their children run ahead of them in a car park. No matter what anyone is driving, children have no business running loose in traffic, and parents who let them should be ticketed. If they wouldn't let their children play on a busy road why do they let them essentially play in traffic in a car park?

Another thing that makes me go is people who can discern apparently just by looking at them why someone bought a certain vehicle. You would make a fortune in marketing if you shopped your uncanny ability around.

we've got a 4x4 ,I thought it was just an Audi Estate but apparently the 'quattro' part of the name says otherwise .I cant wait to try it in the snow this year to see if it handles as good as the proper style 4x4 we had last year

Most people who have made it don't need a bling bling car to prove their worth. I know someone with a bling bling car who cannot afford to take his kids on holiday and is borrowing money from parents ...

not only do I have a 4x4 but it also has a private plate. It was DH's that he used to have on his van when he was self employed and has the company name (including his initials) on it. When he gave up he got really distressed about selling the plate (this from the worlds most unmaterial man) and asked timidly whether I would "look after it" for him.
In a moment of weakness bought on by his quivering lip and puppy dog eyes I agreed and the effing thing is still on there 5 years later.
Offensive on two counts :o

^I'm doubtful some of the owners, in cities, of blinged up 4 x 4's, would have a chain in their boot to rescue a stuck vehicle. Also they might get the 4 x 4 dirty.
Whether I judge 4 x 4 or not, depends on the situation.^

Apparently in this instance you have imagined anticipated a situation and gone on to judge while waiting for it to materialise...