To wonder why we allow the sale of so many cars that don't fit a standard space?

[Bussesrus]

We are looking for a new car that will fit all 6 of us plus our dogs. Having looked at many options just about everything with a third row and boot space will hang over into another space by anything from .2 to nearly a meter. Where exactly are you meant to park these SUVs and vans?

And it's great that you have the choice to cycle/walk/use public transport but some people don't have those options. I am not sure I could cycle my little one the 30 miles to the nearest hospital when he has an appointment or the 26 miles to his school with him in his wheelchair whilst carting all of his medical equipment too. Maybe you could but I can't. I know of plenty of people who have disabilities that make other forms of transport almost impossible to use so I know we are not alone in needing our van. I do walk where I can, or take the train if possible but there are lots of times I need to use a sizeable vehicle (that Motability deem we need because they cover the grant and they cover the smallest amount of grant they can, understandably).

At least 90% of SUVs are unnecessary. I'd reduce their number by requiring a separate driving licence and test before you can drive them.

Car parks would have enough space easily if it was just those who live in very rural areas or @Ratfinkstinkypink s example who have them.

I’ve no idea🤷‍♂️ But I know I made some choices about where to live, how to take my non driving parents out, how to get by in regular snowfalls, how to tow my horse to shows, how to holiday in a caravan and how to carry three dogs around with plenty of room. And carry bicycles. And live in the midst of very hilly country. It works for us, we put a lot of thought into it. It also comes in handy for helping out stuck neighbours in the snow as well. Personal circumstances, personal choice.

But your choices have an impact on others.

Why do you live in a rural area? Lifestyle or employment?

How often does it snow in a year and do you really need to drive when it does?

Have you had training to drive a 4x4 in 4wd mode?

I am curious

I feel your pain OP, I really do. The cynical bastards deliberately sell oversized cars so that their drivers will bump into each other and make money for the repairers.

Of course I can drive a 4x4 in four wheel drive mode. It’s simple. High range, low range, old fashioned diff locks. Hill start mode, all sorts. And where I live we can get a lot of snow, enough to take buses off the roads, because they cannot get up the hills. I might be a good bit older than you, from an era where you didn’t have a lot of the fancy gadgets, abs systems, even powered steering. When I learned to drive, you really did have to get your head around how to cope under various circumstances, and you just learn about each different vehicle you own. I can tow caravans, trailers as well, mind I don’t often do it nowadays. I don’t really need to answer the more personal questions, as they aren’t really relevant to this thread, other than that I did need to drive for my work, as I covered a big area.

But you don't even need to be particularly rural to need a bigger, heavier car, depending on where in the country you are. I'm in a reasonable sized town in the north east, big enough to have been heard of, but unless you're heading somewhere served by motorways you absolutely need to go on country roads that have streams running across them in heavy rains - intentionally so, field run offs go across roads. The town we visit most is Richmond, which off the top of my head requires country driving if you're approaching from anywhere other than Catterick.

My 1.2 is the smallest car any of our social group have and we frequently can't make our meet ups in winter. We can't do snow in a narrow lane, we can't do floods, it's risky on the A1M in high winds because it's light....

I know literally no one else with a tiny car round here, other than childless office workers.

Dh also has a landrover for work, but he's in and out of muddy fields and remote hillsides, so a different matter. I don't drive it.

Good post VL. Personal circumstances again. Is there any particular reason why you choose not to drive the LR? Apologies if I am being a bit nosy, and fully understand if you don’t want to say. I know a few female friends who have reservations about driving 4x4s, and even cars that have a gear stick and clutch.
(know you mean Richmond Yorkshire, not Richmond near London!😁)

I remember trying to explain to my ex wife that people didnt move into the country and drive into work in the 1930's because cars were too expensive, slow, unreliable and the roads were not much cop so it really wasnt practical.

She didnt get it.

So, ignoring for a moment that the area with the highest percentage of 4x4's is Kensington & Chelsea my question might be if 4x4's had remained like Land Rovers - ie a tool for Farmers & Country dwellers, slow and heavy to drive what then?

I suggest that either we would have to live in the country and just drive front wheel drive cars and accept that we might be snowed up on a day or two a year or accept that living on the top of a hill outside Sheffield isnt a sensible option for anyone whose not a farmer/whatever.

Oh & I do know what double declutching, transfer box's. etc are.

I’d not confuse 4x4 vehicles with SUVs. Not all SUVs are 4WD or AWD, but they do tend to be larger and more importantly, higher. A lot are bought simply because they are a good bit easier to get in and out of, particularly for anyone with mobility issues or a physical disability. Lots of people have them because hoists for a scooter or wheelchair can be fitted, along with carrying said mobility scooter or wheelchair. Some families like them because of the higher ride. It’s all about personal choice and what works for families and individuals.

I have no real idea why folks in Kensington and Chelsea choose to buy 4x4s.

do you swap to winter tyres?
mine make a massive difference, I can do roads some of the sportier 4wds can’t just by swapping tyres.
granted, not as good as the low range Land Rover and shoguns, but combined with the light weight aspect of my car shes ace in the snow with them.

Yes, it does change (I am old enough to remember being driven to school in the boot of an estate car with half a dozen other kids) which is reflected in the change in what people need from a car.

Thank you for your comment.
I was thinking in broad terms when I made my post and (as you clearly realise!) there are some details missing from my proposal.
There would of course be exemptions and my proposal is predicated on there being safe & accessible walking and cycling routes.

I think they know EXACTLY how big and they enjoy throwing their size & weight about!

My DP works in transport planning, and is gathering data on average car sizes to tackle this very issue.

Men don't worry about shit like this.

Unfortunately, many owners of large cars use blue badge spaces in my local shopping centre - I've complained to security staff but they say they don't monitor it.

Can you give us any clues as to the tackling strategy? 🙏

@Saltedbutter - I don’t think you aggressively demanding someone else suggest how you fix your over reliance on your vehicle will do you any favours. I think any suggestions I or anyone else could have would be angrily dismissed. I’m out.

This is a sensible suggestion. I go camping a few times a year and hire a roof box when required. We don't buy a car based on occasional need.

Absolutely this. These huge cars are not safe for other cars or pedestrians.
My average size car was totalled when an SUV took a tight corner faster than should have and crashed into the front wheel of my car. I was sitting in car at the time getting ready to go, had they hit my car 1m futher back I would have been 'totalled' too. It wasn't even that fast, maybe 25- 30mph (in a 20mph zone).

I swore on that day that I would never drive an SUV. Everyone makes mistakes, the driver misjudged their corner and could have killed me. No one can guarantee they won't hit a car or a person, but they can ensure, through their car choice, that it does minimum damage possible.

Do you mean the men who buy the wankpanzers, or the men who mock them? Because there are loads of male cyclists who detest SUVs.

Ok, you’d made snotty and pointless comments on something you know nothing about. Got it.

No I mean, men just buy a car and wouldn't start a thread on mn worrying about where to park it.

I think it’s worth noting that all countryside is not equal. My parents live in Dorset and always have done. Dad always had a 4x4 for his work as it took him onto farms and across field. Mum had always had just regular cars and it’s never been a problem. When I lived there I coped perfectly well in my Nissan Micra. But, it almost never snows. When it rains heavily then it does flood so you just don’t go out, but that’s only a couple of times a year.