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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand the obsession with 4x4s

449 replies

Midlandsmum42 · 26/01/2021 12:46

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!!!

OP posts:
GappyValley · 27/01/2021 09:32

In what way is a smaller car not suitable? For example we have a Ford Focus. Families don't need massive cars, they just want them as status symbols.

A classic 'well if it works for me, I cannot see any other point of view' post...

Over half my car journeys are done with 2 dogs, a pram and a box of wellies in the boot. A Focus clearly wouldn't work for us

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 27/01/2021 09:36

We were given a brand new, top of the range BMW automatic estate as a courtesy car before Christmas. I absolutely hated driving that thing. Couldn't wait to get my new SUV and be up high, not struggle to see over the bonnet of the car, and actually be able to get out of it without a struggle. I was pregnant but only about 6 months or less, I'm overdue now, and now way could I still be getting in and out of that thing.

cjpark · 27/01/2021 09:45

We live in rural Cornwall. There are lots of estates, old Volvo's, Audi estates etc as they hold loads, have great grip and it doesn't matter too much if they get scratches from the high hedges. You really don't see many 4x4's until the summer season. I dont see the appeal!

smoothchange · 27/01/2021 09:48

In what way is a smaller car not suitable? For example we have a Ford Focus. Families don't need massive cars, they just want them as status symbols.

How on earth would you, one solitary mumsnetter, know what other families need?

This is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen on here, aside from the obvious trolls.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 27/01/2021 09:55

In what way is a smaller car not suitable? For example we have a Ford Focus. Families don'tneedmassive cars, they just want them as status symbols.

Why do you feel the need to tell other people what type of cars they can drive. I've had small cars and I would NEVER go back to that with kids and a dog. Also the job I do requires more than a 5 seater.
We only go on holiday in this country, so we drive. Its laughable to think we could fit enough stuff for a week in self catering cottage, with a dog, pram, travel cot etc in a Ford focus 😂.

Jetatyeovilaerodrome · 27/01/2021 09:58

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

We were given a brand new, top of the range BMW automatic estate as a courtesy car before Christmas. I absolutely hated driving that thing. Couldn't wait to get my new SUV and be up high, not struggle to see over the bonnet of the car, and actually be able to get out of it without a struggle. I was pregnant but only about 6 months or less, I'm overdue now, and now way could I still be getting in and out of that thing.
First world problems eh?
NellyJames · 27/01/2021 09:59

@redsquirrelfan, but if you have 3 children in car seats or 4 children of any age, they don’t fit in a Focus. We also have a dog and a boot full of wellies. I didn’t buy my car as a status symbol. The older version that I had until last year is fairly ugly and I’ve never known anyone covet it. My new one is slightly prettier but not by much. Why is it difficult to understand that the only reason I bought it was that it suited the needs of my family. 🤷‍♀️

AnnaFiveTowns · 27/01/2021 10:03

Generally (not always) bought by people with high levels of status anxiety; usually along with a personalised registration plate. Both the height of naffness.

Jetatyeovilaerodrome · 27/01/2021 10:04

Something like a Ford Galaxy has loads more room than most SUVs. And plenty of other cars have more room than say a Discovery Sport or an Evoque.

It's status pure and simple, which is fine.

Crowsaregreat · 27/01/2021 10:06

They are awful and should be taxed to the hilt.

I think there's evidence that says driving standards are worse in SUVs - you feel so safe that you stop caring about whether you hurt other people in their less polluting, smaller cars.

NellyJames · 27/01/2021 10:12

There’s nothing status like about my old Volvo XC90. And there is not more room in a Ford Galaxy.

emmylousings · 27/01/2021 10:19

It is absolutely everybody's business, because they affect others; their environmental impact is far, far greater than normal cars (look it up if you care to); they are more dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians; they take up a disproportionate amount of space on the roads and in parking spaces. Not everything is a matter of 'personal choice'!! Haven't we realised yet that we are a community - not just a bunch of individuals. I give way to everyone, but never a 4x4. I accept farmers and people who live very remotely need them, everyone else driving a 4x4 is a selfish wanker.

smoothchange · 27/01/2021 10:21

Something like a Ford Galaxy has loads more room than most SUVs. And plenty of other cars have more room than say a Discovery Sport or an Evoque.

Maybe people only need the space the SUV offers, and don't want a bigger Ford Galaxy though.

It's status pure and simple, which is fine.

Or perhaps it's just choosing the vehicle to suit individual needs. So not oversizing.

Shmithecat2 · 27/01/2021 10:21

@Crowsaregreat

They are awful and should be taxed to the hilt.

I think there's evidence that says driving standards are worse in SUVs - you feel so safe that you stop caring about whether you hurt other people in their less polluting, smaller cars.

They generally are taxed to the hilt. My D3 was £550 a year.

My car is less polluting than a lot of small cars even though it's 'big'. It's ULEZ complaint.

You think there's evidence of poorer driving in SUVs? Either there is or there isn't. I'd love to see this evidence...

Shmithecat2 · 27/01/2021 10:24

@emmylousings

It is absolutely everybody's business, because they affect others; their environmental impact is far, far greater than normal cars (look it up if you care to); they are more dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians; they take up a disproportionate amount of space on the roads and in parking spaces. Not everything is a matter of 'personal choice'!! Haven't we realised yet that we are a community - not just a bunch of individuals. I give way to everyone, but never a 4x4. I accept farmers and people who live very remotely need them, everyone else driving a 4x4 is a selfish wanker.
The environmental impact of my 4X4 is far less than that of a child (2.7t pa compared to 58.6t pa). Do you think having multiple children shouldn't be a matter of personal choice as well?
smoothchange · 27/01/2021 10:27

I think there's evidence that says driving standards are worse in SUVs - you feel so safe that you stop caring about whether you hurt other people in their less polluting, smaller cars.

Surely if you are a dick you are a dick in any car? Nice, sensible people do not turn into uncaring people just because they have a bigger car

Shmithecat2 · 27/01/2021 10:28

@emmylousings

I give way to everyone, but never a 4x4. I accept farmers and people who live very remotely need them, everyone else driving a 4x4 is a selfish wanker.

How do you know, if a farmer is driving their 4x4 through a town to shop/visit the drs/any other errand, that they're a farmer? How do you decide which 4x4 to give way to and what job the driver has?

Methinks the wankers are not always the ones driving the 4x4s...Confused

DinnaeFashSassenach · 27/01/2021 10:30

@Crowsaregreat

They are awful and should be taxed to the hilt.

I think there's evidence that says driving standards are worse in SUVs - you feel so safe that you stop caring about whether you hurt other people in their less polluting, smaller cars.

What a load of shite! Many brand new 4x4s have very low emissions, some better than certain smaller cars.
Shmithecat2 · 27/01/2021 10:34

@DinnaeFashSassenach

Indeed, but don't let the facts get in the way of wilful ignorance, inverse snobbery and hugely generalizing sweeping statements. That's not in the spirit of Mumsnet, is it? 😂

CounsellorTroi · 27/01/2021 10:36

I hate the fact they are so wide that if there is one each side of a space in a car park that space is rendered unusable to anyone in a normal sized car.

Swiftjogger · 27/01/2021 10:40

@AnnaFiveTowns

Generally (not always) bought by people with high levels of status anxiety; usually along with a personalised registration plate. Both the height of naffness.
Grin the anxiety of the class obsessed analysing them more like.
Shmithecat2 · 27/01/2021 10:42

@CounsellorTroi

I hate the fact they are so wide that if there is one each side of a space in a car park that space is rendered unusable to anyone in a normal sized car.
The width of a standard parking space is 2.4m. If you can't park your 'normal sized' car in a space between 2 SUVs, that are within the markings of their bay, without issue, then I would suggest your parking skills are the problem here, not the size of anyone else correctly parked vehicle.
CounsellorTroi · 27/01/2021 10:47

I can park in the space perfectly well, it’s the lack of space to open the door that’s the issue. Sometimes the SUVs are within inches of the line.

Swiftjogger · 27/01/2021 10:48

@Crowsaregreat

They are awful and should be taxed to the hilt.

I think there's evidence that says driving standards are worse in SUVs - you feel so safe that you stop caring about whether you hurt other people in their less polluting, smaller cars.

What a load of bunkem. They are taxed to the hilt at over 40k new for years afterwards and that counts for the hybrids. I bet you lot who wail about your sudden concern for the environment are to be found in Torremolinos most years and support your local McDonald’s way more than you should.
anicecupoftea19 · 27/01/2021 10:53

Status in most cases. Keeping up with the Jones. I've got more money than you ... or more finance? 🤔😂