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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that you shouldn't buy a huge 4X4 if you cannot reverse it?

111 replies

MythicalKings · 30/04/2015 07:35

DH and I went to a National Trust house yesterday. It's accessed down a narrow twisty lane with a few passing places. We go there a lot so know the road well.

We came round the corner and there was a 4X4 coming towards us. Our nearest passing place was more than half a mile back and we knew there was one 150 yards or so behind the 4X4 so we waited for the driver to reverse. She just sat there. So did we.

When she realised we weren't moving she gestured to us to reverse. DH stuck his head out of the window and said there was a passing place not far behind her and the one behind us was considerably further away. She said that wasn't so but DH pointed to where it could just be seen. She started to reverse and went into the bank, a few further fumbles ensued before she stopped and said she couldn't reverse her car so we'd have to.

So we did. But why on earth would anyone buy a car that they can't drive properly? Not wanting to drip feed so I'll point out it was obvious from the paint job that it was her car and not the family car that she didn't usually drive.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 30/04/2015 07:38

There are loads of people who can't drive well. I wonder how half of them pass Hmm

They should make reversing up a long road into a passing place part of the test instead of just reversing into a space immediately behind you.

Alisvolatpropiis · 30/04/2015 07:39

But then who would own 4x4's?! It appears to be vanishingly rare that the owners can actually drive them well.

WizardOfToss · 30/04/2015 07:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlinkAndMiss · 30/04/2015 07:45

YANBU it is irritating when this sort of thing happens. I had to move my car out of a parking space once so that a driver in a huge car could park it, I know I didn't have to but I was worried for the side of my car! After standing by it watching for a bit the driver wound the window down and said if I pulled my car out he'd be able to get in. There was enough room to manoeuvre it without me moving but it was clear it wasn't happening! I'd love a huge 4x4, I just know I wouldn't be able to drive it and where I live there is no need for one.

Original poster
MythicalKings · 30/04/2015 07:47

Paint job included flowers "scattered" across the bonnet.

OP posts:
lionheart · 30/04/2015 07:47

I don't know if it is to do with the 4x4 either. As Wizard says, there is a knack to it.

LBOCS · 30/04/2015 07:48

Agreed, YANBU.

I have a 4x4. I sat in a car park at the weekend watching a driver of a Golf try (and fail) to get their car into a parking space. They gave up, I took it - by the time they had driven (forward) into a space further up, I had reversed my car into the empty space and started getting the baby out. You should be able to carry out basic manoeuvres in your car, otherwise you shouldn't be driving it. That includes reversing for a while.

Toooldtobearsed · 30/04/2015 07:48

I have a 4 x 4 and can fling it around anywhere - or so I thought!

Very narrow single track lane, very windy, met a van coming the other way. I could see a designated passing place about 20m behind him, but he just would not move.

I harumphed then prepared to reverse and find a spot to pull over, but there were deep ditches on both sides of me and I was on a bend. I could not reverse the bloody thing - for the first time in donkey's years, I just could not do it.

Van man got fed up with watching me in the end and reversed.

mousmous · 30/04/2015 07:50

yanbu
I would have to my flask and a magazin out...

thing is, most of these huge cars have all the convenience gadgets like rear cameras, parking sensors, assisted steering. no excuse not to reverse.

CaptainAnkles · 30/04/2015 07:51

I don't think anyone should have one unless they can drive it properly. But I also think unless you have a really good reason to need a huge vehicle you shouldn't have one either.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/04/2015 07:55

Reversing round a corner is already part of the test, isn't it?

I don't think it's anything to do with being a 4x4, there are people that can't reverse smaller cars, or it's quite possible she was just having a bad day.

WizardOfToss · 30/04/2015 07:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/04/2015 07:57

4x4 doesn't always equate a huge vehicle btw, mine is like a normal family car.

HappenstanceMarmite · 30/04/2015 07:59

YANBU. Except...it is not just large vehicle drivers that seem to struggle. Number of times I witness drivers of tiny cars making meal out of parking - often with spouse guiding them in to a huge space. Makes me roll my eyes.

Original poster
MythicalKings · 30/04/2015 08:01

I appreciate that, Dame, that's why I said "huge".

Wizard, the sisterhood was embarrassed. Blush

OP posts:
Erudite · 30/04/2015 08:05

I drive a 4X4 and can reverse it on a sixpence. But it's a proper working Landy not a Chelsea tractor.

Christinayangstwistedsister · 30/04/2015 08:08

I think it's easier, mine has a camera and sensors, younreallyncant go wrong ( famous last words)

Erudite · 30/04/2015 08:09

But I also think unless you have a really good reason to need a huge vehicle you shouldn't have one either.

Good job it's got nowt to do with you, then isn't it?

FuckyNell · 30/04/2015 08:10

When I got mine I spent time practising reversing it

DoADittyBingBangBell · 30/04/2015 08:10

Yanbu there is mother at my dd's school who drives a huge 4x4 and cannot park it for toffee-whether it includes reversing or not. Always amusing watching although I do flinch when she clips the kerb with her shiny alloys which seems to happen everyday....worst thing is shes either parking against a kerb, or in an actual space designated for parking at the edge of the road-space for three cars there was only my car in it yet it still took her coming in then reversing out 3 times before clipping her wheel and actually parking up in the middle of the huge space that would have allowed another car inConfused

HeyDuggee · 30/04/2015 08:13

I once waited 15 minutes for a woman in the tiniest car (think original mini size) to try to reverse at a national trust property. She twice almost side swiped parked cars. People Tried guiding her but she almost ran over them too.

That said, I drove for decades and then through horrid circumstances, found myself having to retake the driving test for a new licence. I took lessons because I knew if I rocked up to the test and drove normally, I'd fail it (as most of us would). But I was horrified at how shit I was reversing around a corner!! Because really? You don't do much reversing in everyday driving.

CaptainAnkles · 30/04/2015 08:14

Nothing to do with me at all, no. It's no wonder people who own them have a reputation for driving more aggressively is it?

SansaUndercover · 30/04/2015 08:16

Reversing around a corner is on the test but it's not really the same as reversing on a narrow lane for 100 meters or more. These people who can't reverse scare me. What happens when they meet a vehicle that's towing or some farm machinery that really can't reverse?

londonrach · 30/04/2015 08:16

With those with 4x4 be aware that us in normal cars cant see around you. So there no point sticking fingers up at me whilst yiu waiting for my space as with your blackened windows i couldnt see if it was safe to cone out the way you had positioned your safe you hear thAt man in marks and spencer car park. Very pleased when another space came free so you moved and i could see. If id gone id when you told me to have had a accident with that red car that overtook you. why is it 4x4 are usually in the towns but i never saw them in the farms and country when i lived in the rural unless it was a very old landrover that never left the farm. Just general observation...

richthegreatcornholio · 30/04/2015 08:20

But I also think unless you have a really good reason to need a huge vehicle you shouldn't have one either.

Not really any of your business is it?