to not understand the obsession with 4x4s

[Midlandsmum42]

I really don't understand why there are so many 4x4s on the road in cities and the country, half of the parents have them on the school run (when there was a school run). They are so bad for the environment and too big and unnecessary. They weren't needed in the past and aren't needed now. Completely understand why a farmer needs one or someone on construction sites but driving kids to school!!!

At the moment, not again

Here: www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/air-index-nox-emissions-rating-launched/#:~:text=A%20diesel%20Renault%20Clio%20emits,the%20AIR%20Index%20has%20revealed.

Discovery 20 times cleaner than a Clio. Bigger, more expensive cars have the money to cover the cost of advanced exhaust treatment and filtration systems, and the space to fit them.

Here FFS my formatting tonight....

@peak2021

I think that if you want to drive one, you should have had to have taken your driving test in one. Not in a Mini or other small car.

Were that the case I expect many people would not have one.

I find driving a big car much easier as I can see a lot more out of the bigger windows, and have a better view higher up than I did in the little corsa I learned in.

I drive a 4x4, but it’s the smallest one I could find. Suzuki Swift. Previously had a Fiat Panda 4x4, a Suzuki Jimmy 4x4.
So it’s the 4 wheel drive I go for not the size of the car. Very little choice in small cars though.
I wouldn’t have got to work this week in any other car, nothing but 4 wheel drive or tractors going through the snow until the gritters had been out.

They aren't actually harder to drive once you have got use to the size. It's like any car. That's why you do your test in the car you learn to drive in.

There is something in the argument for resitting a driving test in a larger car, or in a significantly more powerful car- much as those of us under an age have to for towing etc. I'm not opposed to the idea, not that it would stop the uninsured and unlicenced.

The thing is, unless you have winter tyres on, 4x4s aren't really any better in the snow. A 2 wheel drive with winter tyres is better than a 4x4 without.

I will never believe that they are anything other than a status symbol tbh. Where I live you can't move for PCP Range Rovers and Land Rover Discoveries. As for the Evoque - just why? They aren't even that spacious and are notoriously shite!

@Midlandsmum42 you are a twat 😂 who gives a crap!

And by the way, there isn't really anything wrong with buying a car as a status symbol. But own it, don't pretend you 'need it for snowy conditions' or similar such bollocks, that's all!

Can never understand why anyone would want to slag of anyone else's car. Literally don't give a fuck what anyone else drives. Weird

@Jetatyeovilaerodrome

The thing is, unless you have winter tyres on, 4x4s aren't really any better in the snow. A 2 wheel drive with winter tyres is better than a 4x4 without.

I will never believe that they are anything other than a status symbol tbh. Where I live you can't move for PCP Range Rovers and Land Rover Discoveries. As for the Evoque - just why? They aren't even that spacious and are notoriously shite!

Not quite true, basic physics of forces at drive wheels etc but would possibly make the difference for a shit driver making no allowance for conditions. Neither of ours have winter tyres and DH can get them anywhere in any conditions (frequently has to) but he was trained by Staffordshire Police and a proper off-roading company.

@namechangefail2020

Can never understand why anyone would want to slag of anyone else's car. Literally don't give a fuck what anyone else drives. Weird

Well, quite. these threads always push my buttons though. I should know better than to reply. It's like feeding the youtube educated science deniers on FB.

@Cornetttttto

Why does anybody need to be higher up fgs? It's a CAR.

DH has mobility problems. He can get in a standard saloon car but he can't get out. So that's just one reason for people needing a higher up car. I don't have a 4 x 4, but I do have a higher up car.

I’ve had Range Rovers etc - they are I’m sorry to say, far more comfortable, tend to have good gadgets/extras and are easy to get in and out of. And yes it is nice being higher up.

Right now I’ve got a low level sporty type car instead - and while I love it - it’s nowhere near as comfortable.

(And yes - my cars are status symbols I suppose - but hey - I don’t drive often - have done under 5000 miles almost every year for many years).

Not quite true, basic physics of forces at drive wheels etc but would possibly make the difference for a shit driver making no allowance for conditions

For traction in snowy conditions a 2wd on winter tyres is preferable to a 4wd on summers. For braking the difference is night and day. 4wd on winter tyres is the gold standard though!

We have one and live on a new build estate, so we must be one of those rough types that a PP described earlier 🙄 We bought it because we wanted an SUV and we could afford it, simple as that.

I love everything about ours, the the driving position, the space, way it handles, gadgets, the colour.... oh and very recently , it saved mine and my kids lives when some idiot drove into the back of us at 60mph. The front of his golf crumbled in and he ended in being carted away in an ambulance. The rear bumper, exhaust and back wheel arch took the hit on our Disco.

I’d say it’s probably one of the smartest purchases we’ve ever made. No regrets

@Elai1978

Not quite true, basic physics of forces at drive wheels etc but would possibly make the difference for a shit driver making no allowance for conditions

For traction in snowy conditions a 2wd on winter tyres is preferable to a 4wd on summers. For braking the difference is night and day. 4wd on winter tyres is the gold standard though!

We don't use them at work in any conditions other than extreme cold climate, but then we have tip top drivers. An idiot with a heavy right foot can overcome the friction advantage of winter tyres/chains more easily than balanced torque distribution. If rather be with DH in one of our cars than with my mum in her car with winter tyres

We have one. We live more rural than most (75 miles from nearest town, 23 miles from a shop), have 2 big dogs (a Malamute and a Shepherd/Husky mix) and live in a state that has snow on the ground for many months of the year. Also many of the roads where we live are not paved. They are sand or gravel.

I’m sure they are all fabulous, they really get on my nerves on the school run though.

Also in older car parks when they take up an entire bloody space meaning I have to squeeze out of my car.

Also they are annoying trying to cross the road behind them. I’ll stop now

4wd on winter tyres is the gold standard though!

I have had no issues using all-season all-terrain tyres. They do have a little mountain and snowflake symbol on them though.

We don't use them at work in any conditions other than extreme cold climate, but then we have tip top drivers. An idiot with a heavy right foot can overcome the friction advantage of winter tyres/chains more easily than balanced torque distribution. If rather be with DH in one of our cars than with my mum in her car with winter tyres

Any idiot can break traction but taking that out of the equation I’d take a winter equipped fwd over a 4wd with summers. The 4wd won’t help when you’re braking!

@Plussizejumpsuit

I suppose there's a devision between people who think they are tacky. Then people who don't or don't care.

Pe asking why others are bothered, even if you claim they aren't bad for the environment they are. They take up way too much room in car parks, with people insisting on parking them as if they're a normal size car. Fuck you if you can't actually get into your car next to one. They are also more dangerous to other cars. They're higher up and way heavier so you're not going to come off well in a smaller car. Same for a bike or pedestrian. But yeah love your 4x4 and don't care what others think.

Eh? I've had a LWB Shogun, a Freelander 2, a Discovery 3 and an ML350. All fit into regular spaces

Still waiting for someone to show me the alternatives when you need a third row and a boot.

@CakeRequired

So looking everywhere other than the actual road? Yeah, that's safer 😂😂😂😂

🙄

Anyway, I didn't buy the 4x4 solely to have a better view. I just love it and certainly won't apologise for it.

You're at a junction you said. Why wouldn't you look around you? You're telling me you don't use your mirrors to check behind you and at the side in your blind spot over your shoulder before moving off? I'm feeling very safe with you on the road. Not. You only check the road, that's pretty crap as it's not a full check. You should be checking pavements for any pedestrians about to walk or even cycle in front of you, the same for up the side of you. You should be checking everywhere when driving, yes even parked cars incase someone suddenly opens their door or a child runs out inbetween them.

Drive a 4x4 all you want, but don't try saying it's necessary because it's higher. It's not. I've managed for years along very dodgy roads and not managed to have an accident, so have many people. In a small car. It's not necessary. Not if you're checking correctly.

I didn't say it was necessary?!

As for your 'lesson' on how I should behave when driving, thanks but no need. You clearly didn't grasp the scenario I was trying to convey. Do you need a diagram? I've never had a collision, in any vehicle I've driven, no ponies or small children have been harmed by me in the 28 years I've been driving. Unclench, FFS.