I have identifed a "type" who drive 4x4s in London, wondered if it was accurate...

[CountessDracula]

I live in SW London, home of the tossy 4x4s that never see a hill or any mud.

It seems to me that these cars are often driven by teeny weeny pinstick women who are married to big rugby player type men. I think it follows that if you are an ickle bickle lollipop of a woman and you are attracted to a huge manly bear of a man that you like to be pwotected by your big man and so you feel the need for the same type of pwotection from your car.

Do you think I am right?

I mean, usually people are attracted to their own physical shape etc aren't they?

Here endeth the poisson psychology.

(This is not part of the thread, but please tell me that "cuntry" was an unintended error, because I could not posssibly continue on this thread with a straight face otherwise - might even have to change my name - maybe "cuntrygirl")

Coolmama - just out of interest do you (routinely) enter the congestion zone on your trips to London and would you, if the fare was different for large 4X4s (say £25 - £40 instead of £8) still choose to take the 4X4 or would you consider bringing a different car if you had one ?

Rest assured CD types very well, coolio, LOL.

I think if you do a search on "cuntry" you will find it is commonly used on mn

Pleeeeease change your name to cuntrygirl
I would love you forever

So, where was I ....?
No I do not use my 4x4 in the Congestion zone as I refuse to give one cent of my husband's legally-gotten gains to that phatphuck, Ken! - so I walk or take a taxi -( it's important not to be late for manicures, you know)
and I wouldn't be seen dead in a micra FGS

...there's a fab bit right at the end of the new movie "CARS" where all the 4 X 4's are sent to boot camp to teach them to go off road...they're all tippy toeing on their tyres saying "please don't make us go int the mud" to the drill sargeant...a real rough beaten up old landrover...made DH and I laugh 'so much we nearly POSL (DS and DD couldn't understand why mum and dad were laughing so much !!!)

Certainly not suejonez! I am Considerate Driver Of SW14. I am the one cursing against all the people who have diagonally parked on the pavement or parked their extra wide 4x4s several feet from the kerb so that it's impossible to pass....

"this is aimed at twats who live in London"

says it all really

Nobody is suggesting (okay perhap some) that because you are a 4x4 driver that you are necessarily a bad driver, but let me ask you this
Good driver or bad driver, one day you may just have an accident (such is the nature of the word, a small child may run in front of your car, and as a result may end up seriously injured or worse. How will you feel knowing that your choice in car has contributed to the severity of these injuries, a choice that you have vigourously defended on many occassions, a choice which leads you to live the rest of your life with that on your conscience. Personally I believe that no 4x4 should be allowed anywhere near a school, exclusion zones with perhaps a disabled badge system for those for whom it is a necessity.

obviously I would be gutted as Im sure you would if you were involved ina similar accident mykidsmum. However accidents can happen anywhere and with any type of vehicle. Just because I drive a larger vehicle it doesnt mean it will almost certainly happen to me (obviously I hope it doesnt)

thats not my point but simply your choice in vehicle could make the world of difference in a situation like this

I'm not saying its more likely but could be potentially more fatal

actually - I think it's the speed that makes the difference -

I imagine speed and construction characteristics both play their part in determining the severity of an accident. I haven't looked into this, but imagine the increased mass (typically) the flatter panels (on certain models) and the higher waistline all make a pedestrian / motor vehicle accident worse in a 4 X 4 than with an 'ordinary' car. Whilst other vehicles share some of the characteristics (for example some people carriers have quite high waistlines), the largest off-roaders uniquely bring them all together.

absolutely, but it is still the "bigger on the road" argument - if I was in a 4x4 and was hit by a truck, the 4x4 wouldn't be worth a damn anyway -

-sorry got to go but will maybe pop in late - bye

to go back to an earlier point, I really don't think this is about freedom of choice in the same way as foxhunting/priv ed - because as far as I know, neither are dangerous...
Any road user should have to consider others, esp those who are more vulnerable when on the road - pedestrians, cyclists, kids.
4x4s shout out an inconsiderate attitude IMHO except in the rare instances when they're actually used for their intended purpose.

hub2dee's right, 4x4s are especially dangerous to pedestrians and children because of their weight/bonnet height. Plus many have those idiotic bull bars which makes them even worse. A child hit by a 4x4 is many, many more times likely to be killed or seriously injured than a child hit by a normal car.

I agree with everyone who says 4x4s aren't justifiable in London/any city really but I think upping the congestion charge or any tax for them will only make them even MORE desirable to the 'we're richer than you' nouveau brigade who drive them: suddenly, there's ANOTHER amount of money they've had to pay and they have no problem with that. It won't stop them. Stickers saying 'you're a c*' might make them think twice though! It's hassle you see, in the way that shelling out another coupla grand just isn't.

exactly Edam, you don't choose to have an accident, you do choose to drive a 4x4, eriously i couldn't live with the worry

I read somewhere (but now I can't find it) that over 50% of new cars in America are 4x4s/SUVs. OVER HALF!!!!! I think the figure in London is about 3.5%

I think Clive Sinclair was just a few years before his time. We'll all be wishing we went electric when the flood comes, mark my words!!

hasn't he developed soemthing else? thought i heard mention on today's today..or i dreamt it, folding bicycle or something, not to great critical acclaim tho apparently.

A folding bike with small wheels and low maximum speed, but very light. It looks awful but then you can't get everything.