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

[MythicalKings]

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.

[MrsGoslingWannabe]

I'm also surprised by the number of people who can't judge through width of the road and expect me to give way and look shocked when I don't. Or stop to let me go first when they don't need to and then wonder why I didn't thank them!

[woodhill]

I have parking sensors on my car at the back and had them in my last car as well. I would now always purchase a car with them as it does help.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

You're welcome. It helped me so much - and I was a very unconfident driver, and especially unconfident at reversing.

[Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake]

Oh thanks SDTG, at that price I may invest in one!

[HappenstanceMarmite]

Oh I don't know mousmous. A particularly hard pie crust could cause proper harm

[CornwallsFinest]

Its definitely not just 4x4s people struggle with...

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake -'it was one of these.

[mousmous]

it is really difficult to mow down people with nonexisting baking skills.
or holding up traffic when trying to clean the kitchen...

[awfulomission]

my driving and parking skilks improved greatly working in education and having to park in staff car parks where there is limited space.

Agreed! Our car park's tiny... and with the baby boom it's only going to feel tinier as our intake increases in a few years (secondary) and staff numbers increase. Or I hope they increase.

I drive an estate with a 4x4 option. It's alright for those enjoying the lofty view in 4x4s but us normals down below can see your doorhandles when you're pulled up next to us... and that's about it!

[dougierose]

OP - I love you for posting this thread. I have a nifty little Ford but all the stuck up Mums at school have 4x4s and THE COMMOTION when they try to reverse the darned things into parking spaces has got beyond the point of irritation. But ooh, they'll pull out infront of me because they've got a 4x4 don't you know?

I think two things:

a) if you can't park it, don't drive it.
b) No matter how entitled you think YOU are, you'll never be as entitled as me (in my crappy Fiesta, but with the moral highground]

[Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake]

I'm shit at reversing, just avoid it wherever possible. STDG can you tell me more about this prism? It sounds amazing!

[woodhill]

my driving and parking skilks improved greatly working in education and having to park in staff car parks where there is limited space.

[TheCatsMother99]

That's shocking. You should be in control of your car, going both forward and backwards, at all times.

[HelenF350]

Try driving in Aberdeen! Full of people with unnecessary 4x4s (lots of BMW/Audi/Range Rovers that can't bloody park or drive them. Gets right on my wick.

[HappenstanceMarmite]

I wouldn't know about bake sale threads. But I've heard plenty of snide comments from competitive Stepford Wife sorts.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Really Happen? Well I must have missed all those threads where people pour scorn on other people's efforts at the bake sale.

[HappenstanceMarmite]

No one really brags about how good they are at baking and sewing and pours scorn on people who are a bit crap at them.

Ummm...yes they do.

[exLtEveDallasNoBollocks]

I'm shit at reversing. Bloody awful at reverse parking. I blame the Army - my driving lessons were all in Landrovers - proper Landrovers - none of this pussying about around corners or into straight line spaces...it was all muddy banks, vertical hill climbs and ridged ditches! Country lanes are like runways compared to that.

I dream of owning an Ex Mil rover - it'll be green, held together with black and nasty, have a coat hanger aerial and a couple of muddy Spaniels in the back. One can only dream...

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

DH has a 4x4 which I end up having to drive occasionally. I would say my parking and reversing skills in it are adequate but not spectacular.

I'm a bit shocked at how macho people are being on this thread though. I think sometimes people like to crow about their driving and parking skills, because they are traditionally male skills, and therefore have more perceived value.

No one really brags about how good they are at baking and sewing and pours scorn on people who are a bit crap at them.

It's getting from A to B and putting your car in a space. Wow.

[Momagain1]

Oh, is kungfupandas reverse standoff in classics, or just legendary? I wanna read it!

[Greaterthanthesumoftheparts]

It's funny I can reverse park so easily but I can't park forward for toffee, very embarrassing at times!

[lampygirl]

Anyone who wants reversing practice can come to work with me. Today's challenge was an extra long wheelbase Mercedes sprinter van, 250 yards uphill and round a corner into a narrow loading dock. Event venues aren't very forgiving with your ability to reverse.

I always reverse park. It makes much more sense. Easier to get in the space and easier to pull out forwards. I drive a 5 series estate, so not quite as big as a 4x4 but people still seem to assume I can't park it because I'm female, even though it's tiny compared to the work vans.

[geekymommy]

Why not have it like motorcycle licences? The bigger bikes need a second test. Then all the idiots who can't drive will be taking up less space and annoying less people in smaller cars.

I think it would make some sense, but I suspect the car manufacturers would throw a shit fit if we tried to do this here in the US. They have money, and money talks in politics (here, at least).

Then, if it somehow passed anyway, the carmakers would find some way around it. They classified SUVs as "light trucks" in North America for years to get around emissions and fuel economy regulations. I'm sure they'd find some similar creative accounting to figure out how to sell big cars to people who want them but can't drive them.

[violetwellies]

Why not have it like motorcycle licences? The bigger bikes need a second test. Then all the idiots who can't drive will be taking up less space and annoying less people in smaller cars.

[geekymommy]

I'll tell you what the problem is, at least here in the US. You can't have both a car culture where lots of people have to drive or be driven everywhere and a driving test that a significant fraction of people are going to fail. South Africa has tried that. The result is lots of unlicensed drivers, and even less safe driving conditions. You either have to have it be reasonably easy to get a driver's license, or make it so that people can get around relatively easily without driving.

I recently got a new Subaru Outback with a backup camera. I'm not that great at reversing, which I used to get around by being very cautious about reversing (and never reversing into a parking space). I will never drive another car without a backup camera, at least not if I have a choice. It's been revolutionary.