Driving a 4x4...

[WhereDidTheGoodTimesGo]

AIBU to think if you've only driven a small car for 20 years then it's a big leap to start driving a 4x4 (even a compact SUV)?

DH thinks it's no big deal but I'm nervous. I do need a 4x4 as we've moved rurally and my old, teeny tiny Fiesta is not coping...I know it's not a big deal but it's far out my comfort zone.

Parking and manoeuvring along narrow country lanes are my biggest worries...am I overthinking? I can practice of course but I don't want to be 'that' driver, with a car too big for them...will I get used to it?

I've test driven quite a few now and it feels like the car is a HGV!

To be fair, I'm also thinking about switching from my lovely Zafira to something with a bit more clearance because the lanes on the way to work are awful! Full of big deep potholes which feel like they're ruining my car!

Yes unfortunately I do need a 4x4 though I'm looking at smaller ones, but even the compact SUVs seem so big - my fiesta seems so small compared!

Op its not smaller its lower theres a difference. Youll be fine once you are accustomed to the higher searing position.

You seriously don’t sound confident OP. What precisely is your fiesta not coping with?

I’d be worried about meeting you on a single lane road tbh if you think you can’t manoeuvre or park. Our shepherd drives a fiesta, perhaps if you can say what yours struggles with, people could suggest a car more suited to your ability.

You will get used to it OP after few journeys.
i moved from corsa to Volvo XC90 I struggled a bit with parking for a week and then moved from Volvo to Tiguan all space and then I struggled a bit and now I love it

My teeny tiny car copes perfectly well in this very rural area, why doesn't yours? Easy to throw into a hedge and reverse back into passing places.

Really appreciate the encouraging replies thank you - DH keeps saying he doesn't know why I'm worried as I'm a good driver, never had any issues reversing out the way for tractors etc along narrow lanes and I park better than he does very true maybe I just need to be confident!

It's funny what your brain adapts to, need to just stop fretting.

But what is it exactly your car can't handle that's causing a problem? You seem to be confident with a fiesta. It would be silly to spend thousands of pounds on a car you're not confident with if you don't need to.

My small Skoda eats up tracks up to farms and the Hard Knott Pass etc in the Lakes so not really sure why anyone ‘needs’ a 4x4 to go for a walk in the Peak District, but hey Ho!

OP, you will get used to it. But please treat it like a rural workhorse. The thing that totally winds me up in my small car is meeting a massive 4x4 with a driver who insists on staying a foot away from the hedge for fear of getting hedge scratches. Or won’t move over on to the verge in case of mud on the alloys. Forcing me off the road into a deep rutted rocky quagmire of a verge or into the hedge.if they were driving a normal width car there wouldn’t even be an issue. Take turns to trash your paintwork, don’t be that wanker!

Really need to know what the fiesta can't do

I swap cars a lot and find the first few mins in a massive one are cautious. Then you're just used to it. I had a fiesta for five minutes but got rid as it felt small and unsafe so whilst I think you will notice a difference, it will be very short term.

I'm overly interested in what driving you're doing that is killing the fiesta unless you live in a mud pit that's inside an ice rink that's inside sand dunes?

There are many small (fiesta ish) cars that have 4wd now 😊

Personally, I’m not the most confident driver, but I do prefer 4x4s as other PPs have said, you’re higher up, can see more of the road, other cars move out of your way more etc.
The scariest thing for me to drive is my DHs car as I dare scuff the wheels/ park it funny/ go over speed bumps too fast 🤣 somehow he always knows! So imo if it’s your car then you’ll be fine!

Totally agree with this. "Rural living" does not require a 4x4 unless you actually have to drive off road regularly, which is not the case for the vast majority.

The PP who said her DH needs one to drive to national parks is just bizarre - a 4x4 is not needed in those areas unless you're driving around rough farm tracks, which a hiker won't be.

I live rurally and spend a lot of time driving in national parks - IME a Renault Clio can easily cope, so there's no reason a Fiesta wouldn't be able to.

My small Skoda eats up tracks up to farms and the Hard Knott Pass etc in the Lakes so not really sure why anyone ‘needs’ a 4x4 to go for a walk in the Peak District, but hey Ho!

100%

Another curious about the terrain.
We moved to a rural area and I prefer driving a tiny hatchback locally down the lanes, up rutted tracks and around wandering livestock. I drive my SUV on longer motorway trips.

I find 4x4s easier to drive, the driving position is higher, giving you better visibility over hedges etc, the wing mirrors are bigger, much better for reversing. I also had a manual Fiesta and as much as I loved it I felt safer driving our 4x4 Land Rover, Freelander. It was an automatic but could change to manual if required.

It fit into regular parking bays with no problem. Fuel consumption was pretty good, the boot was massive and even more so when the rear seats were down.

I went from a golf to an Audi q5. As long as you have sensors it will be a doddle. Thank god for parking sensors

OMG @User10932 “Personally, I’m not the most confident driver, but I do prefer 4x4s as other PPs have said, you’re higher up, can see more of the road, other cars move out of your way more etc.”

That is exactly what is infuriating about many 4x4 drivers. Drive something that takes up more than half the road in a v narrow lane but expect others in less wide cars to get out of your way. Drive something built for forging through the Atlas Mountains but expect the oncoming small Skoda to go up on the rutted bank on the side of the road.

Thanks so much for the offer of advice RE other options -- the joys of moving rurally up a steep hill (nightmare when it was icy) with the bottom lane prone to floods of about 2 feet high - (other access is off road, of course mud prone, pothole central) found out after moving this part of the lane is known as the car killer 😂 first thing my nearest (farming) neighbour said to me, nodding toward my car..."well that won't last"...

I did make a good attempt this past winter with the Fiesta (moved here 7 months ago) but ideally could definitely do with a car more suited to the task! Also needs to tow a trailer over around 4 acres of land and a caravan (occasionally). Ideas very welcome, thanks all.

The Freelander 2 is what I've been recommended by my neighbour! It does look to fit the bill. Great to know you got on well with yours thanks very much.

Do you mean you needs a 4wd drive or a 4 x 4 as lots of smaller cars none suv have a 4wd models or do you need a 4x4 suv type car

I was just going to post about checking where your air intake is located.

Plus if you can get a switch to pull in your mirrors it adds a precious cms to squeeking by.

Cross posted sorry didn’t see your update

I'd have thought a compact 4x4 SUV type like the Freelander would fit the bill, unless other advice is forthcoming!

Still feels like a big leap...but I'll endeavour to be confident I'm definitely encouraged now.

My first car was a Land Rover Discovery. I don’t ‘do’ small cars. I live rurally and whilst I could just about get by with a small car, being able to throw it into a ditch or off road when necessary is so handy on the narrow country lanes where I live. Try doing that in a Fiesta. 4x4s are great for when the roads are wet and muddy, way safer than a front wheel drive. I feel safe and it’s so comfortable for long journeys. I will always drive a 4x4. Unless I move to a city (hell would have to freeze over for that to happen).

I have a Freelander 2, love it to bits best car I have ever had and I don't ever want to replace it.

I reverse into parking spaces, easier than going in front ways and there are sensors on the rear bumper.