Convince me that having a larger car than you need is not selfish.

[Rooners]

Because I cannot think of a single reason why it's not. I'm talking about cars that are huge for the sake of it, not cars that carry wheelchairs, or loads of people, in a relatively compact and utilitarian manner.

But something that only has 4/5 seats yet is the size of a small tractor - and no, I don't think this is wrong if you live somewhere with poor terrain. But if you don't?

1. They take up more space when the last things we need on our crowded roads are unnecessarily supersized vehicles.

1. You can't see past them because they are often much higher than 'normal' cars - great for the person driving the thing, rubbish for everyone else

1. They tend to use a larger amount of fuel than a 'normal' car - which is, unarguably, utterly unfair given the fuel crisis the world is facing.

1. They don't fit into a normal parking space which causes untold problems in car parks.

1. They don't fit in a narrow road so cause hold ups as people try to pass each other.

So please convince me, if you can be bothered, that I ought not to be so cross when I am trying to use the roads and one of these massive tanks makes it difficult, dangerous or just really bloody awkward.

I am willing to listen. It's that or spontaneous combustion really.

I drive a big car because I have an inferiority complex and spend all my time worrying about what other people think about me.

I'm just a massive show off.

luabay do you have a personalised number plate too?

I just like to drive by and laugh at all the little people in their little cars.

I drive a 4 wheel drive Subaru Forester SUV, it has seating for 4-5 people and lots of cabin room. Frankly I love it, but then again I live in Seattle and we drive up to the ski-grounds all winter long. I don't feel bad about the fuel usage either; it's a partial zero emissions vehicle so it is on a par with a hybrid. I'm assuming this same vehicle is available in the UK? Funny thing is, it's almost small in comparison to other SUVs here.

Right. I don't think I can take this any more.

1. They take up more space when the last things we need on our crowded roads are unnecessarily supersized vehicles.

So we can presume that you don't own a car at all, thus freeing up space on the roads for essential, public service and emergency vehicles?

Yes, I use a car (I don't own it - and didn't choose it). I own a car that is a normal width, length and height, and is still larger than I would like, but at least it isn't oversized compared to most other cars, for the sake of it. Many people on this thread would refuse to drive it on the grounds of it being too small, low down and ugly - and not safe enough for their children.

1. You can't see past them because they are often much higher than 'normal' cars - great for the person driving the thing, rubbish for everyone else.

Likewise buses, lorries, tractors, containers, caravans. Most people cope.

Oh yes most people cope. These vehicles have a purpose that directly relates to their size. My point being a lot of large, oversized cars have no purpose related to their size. It's just a size thing, for the hell of it. So why should we all have to adjust to cope with your supersized car, for no good reason? See? Selfish.

1. They tend to use a larger amount of fuel than a 'normal' car - which is, unarguably, utterly unfair given the fuel crisis the world is facing.

And? YOU don't pay for that fuel. But, as you're so concerned about it, see my question in response to 1, above.

Oh yes I do. I pay extra for fuel because it is in short supply. The more you use, the less there is remaining for the rest of the world. So the price goes up even more. This is basic economics. We should all be trying to REDUCE our fuel usage, not increase it because it's a laugh to have a huge vehicle, and market forces dictate that some people can.

1. They don't fit into a normal parking space which causes untold problems in car parks.

Not if you're capable of parking properly it doesn't.

Forgive me but bollocks. There are parking spaces marked out in white along our road. Most cars fit into them nicely. Some clearly go way over the line. Range Rovers being an example. How on earth is that anything to do with parking properly? It just DOES NOT FIT, and that means other people get held up trying to pass. Selfish.

1. They don't fit in a narrow road so cause hold ups as people try to pass each other.

There are lots of roads in the English countryside in which even small saloons or coupes can only pass one side at a time. We just exercise patience, manners and common sense.

Yes - but having something HUGE that inconveniences everyone else is not really helping, is it?

But rooners, most big cars are newer cars, they use considerably less fuel than a smaller car.

My car is very tall, like a van really but it is very light on the fuel.

I agree cars are generally getting bigger, but that is because safety is so important, nothing to do with fuel consumption which is much less in newer cars.

Well, I have checked on line the dimensions of my previous car and my present 4X4 and here are the differences, OP:-

                Length               Width              Height      

Carena 4530mm 1695mm 1410mm

4X4 4510mm 1765mm 1675mm

Difference -20mm 70mm 265mm

So there you have it, OP. My previous, normal looking car is actually 2cm longer than my present 4X4, even I am surprised by that one .

My 4X4 is a massive.... 7cm wider than my previous car. Phew .

My 4X4 is a gigantuan.... 26.75cm higher than my previous car. [swoon emoticon].

If you are prepared to judge me as selfish for the sake of driving (and parking) a car that is a mere 7cm wider (and less than 27cm higher) than a normal car then you are being unreasonable. Go on, have a look at a ruler and check, 7cm is a tiny amount and certainly not enough to get judgemental about.

Like other posters have said, it is not about the type of car being driven on the roads, it is about the style of driving; selfish drivers come in many styles and types of car, certainly not just 4X4s. wanders off to polish perfect driver halo

SOME newer cars. Some. Not all by any means.

Range Rovers are not light on fuel or everyone would have one.

Then there's the sort mentioned further down, the escalade that does 10MPG in a city setting.

Sw a Dodge Ram yesterday, in town - same kind of thing - tell me the fuel consumption for that if you will, I think I can probably better it in my meriva

Tabby - I'm talking about having a larger car, not having one that is smaller than your previous one. You've missed the point.

I don't care if it's 4x4 or not. Some very normal sized cars are 4x4.

Where did I say anything about a 4x4 being selfish? They are probably much better in various situations than normal cars.

However being almost a foot higher than before isn't particularly great.

Dodge ram MPG average around 15

Meriva average around 33

There you go.

1. You have a point there.
2. You have a small point.

Rest of the points too small for me to be concerned about.

But now, I am left concerned about the safety of your children, and you. Seriously, think about getting a safer car next time.

Defender 110 about 20

Range Rover about 15

XC90 15-20 ish

X5 20.9

Sevensev are you serious?

Why exactly are my children unsafe? Apart from the fact there are some seriously frightening huge cars out there who will kill us all in a head on?

You have answered your own question.

Realistically you are never going to stop huge cars, lorries, buses, tractors, etc etc being around you.
So people need to act accordingly.

cobaltcow Thu 06-Mar-14 00:13:49
I just like to drive by and laugh at all the little people in their little cars.

Whilst I piss my pants laughing back at them gloating, in the smug knowledge that their car might be bigger, but mine cost a lot less to buy, run and insure and I can spend the extra money on lots of others things rather than the badge on the front and the extra inches.

I don't have to worry about things like the £3000 for a set of 4 new tires for their 4 x 4 as one work colleague who was laughing at DH recently admitted to. A full tank of petrol costs just over £40. No tax on emissions here to worry about either. And my insurance is just up for renewal at £250.

So please keep laughing.

If you want to look up the NCAP rating for a Kia Picanto its a 4 star. Its child passenger score is 83% using the current NCAP system.

So if you are talking about the safety of your own children in your own car, for comparison:

4 x 4 large classified vehicles:
Mercedes M Class 75%, Jeep Cherokee 79%, Jeep Cherokee Grand 69%, Hydundi Santa Fe 89%, Kia Sorento 84%, Land Rover Range Rover 84%

Large family car range:
VW Passat 77%, Citroen C5 77%, Honda Accord 79%, Mercedes A Class 81%, Mercedes B Class 81%, Skoda Octiva 86%, Audi A4 84%, BMW 3 Series 84%, Chevrolet Malibu 83%, Citroen DS5 83%, Hyundai i40 86%
Kia Sorento 84%, Mercedes E Class 77%, Renault Grand Scenic 76%

I kinda got bored half way through the large family cars... but you get the idea.

Ok, my car my not be 5 star but you know what in terms of how safe any kids might be in the back of it, it really is giving some of those bigger cars a damn good run for their money, and actually beating a fair number (including a few who surprised me).

www.euroncap.com

'Realistically you are never going to stop huge cars, lorries, buses, tractors, etc etc being around you.
So people need to act accordingly.'

So basically you're saying, get a bigger car like all the people with huge cars have done, or your children won't be safe (because of the people with huge cars)?

That's so logical

We live right by a hospital and I'm not at all phased by the huge vehicles that are requisite - ambulances often stop and wait for my car, if they aren't in a hurry though of course I always give them priority till they make it really clear they want me to go ahead.

Huge trucks delivering supplies, mobile chemo units. None of them is a problem. Often I think because the drivers have a good knowledge of how to interact with smaller vehicles.

People in large cars such as range rovers, XC90s (loads of them in our street, it's pretty affluent) are often not so great at this.

Huge trucks delivering supplies, mobile chemo units. None of them is a problem. Often I think because the drivers have a good knowledge of how to interact with smaller vehicles.

Possibly the most pompous thing I have ever read on here.
Also, only on this site would you find a smug Picanto driver.

Nice to know you live in an affluent street though, please justify to us why you should be allowed to be rich when some people live in poor streets.

How is it pompous? It's their job, they probably have had some training, they are good at it.

Oh get knotted. I'm not remotely well off. Loads of people resent the fact we live here though. I'm saturated with that knowledge.

Rooners, it is logical, of course it is logical.

[I suspect btw, that the large vehicles near the hospital are not going very fast, so they may not be a big problem for you].

Those vehicles you linked too may be though.

RTB. When I have more time, that may well be an excellent link.

My own concern is safety. So if there are indeed small cars that are just as safe as some larger ones, then great. I would consider getting one next time round.

Are they just as safe when a lorry, van etc rams into you at 70mph, not just 30mph?
Will read link in detail.

Ambulances often have to go extremely fast Seven. It's par for the course. But they do it well usually.

RedToothBrush
If you spend 70k+ on a car you generally can comfortably afford 3k on tyres and the other running costs you mentioned and don't necessarily need to feel smug for saving money in one area to be able to afford things in another. If you can't afford to run a expensive you don't usually buy one.

Expensive car.....