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Original poster

Ive got a 4x4 and wont apologise for it.....

94 replies

jampot · 13/11/2004 18:02

A little thread for all 4x4 mummies (and daddies) whether you use it on the school run or to carry pigs t'market.....

Do you fit the stereotype of flash, over indulgent, stuck-up-your-own-arse Joseph wearing dizzy bint who doesn't care for the environment or anyone else? I don't.

OP posts:
MistressMary · 14/11/2004 09:32

Ahh sorry. I think we all are getting het up about being tarred with the same brush.
Whatever side we are on. Me being guilty too.
So I cannot speak for the jacket spud person, or Ronniebaby. Just getting passionate about our Fendy! Now that is cause for concern.

moomina · 14/11/2004 09:33

BPs comments were genralised and (imo) tongue in cheek. Ronniebaby's were specifically directed at SD and therefore bloody rude. (And therefore living up to the stereotype perfectly?)

Original poster
jampot · 14/11/2004 09:42

/so all the rumours are true, about 4x4 drivers being dangerously-insulated petrolheads/ seems pretty focused towards ALL 4x4 drivers certainly more so than the other week when teachers were getting up in arms about their profession taking a kicking. These threads are started to provoke a reaction - I think Ronniebaby is one of the least offensive people on here.

OP posts:
MistressMary · 14/11/2004 09:48

Yes and back to the main point.....

I've got a 4x4 and wont apologise for it, nor me driving it.
and bear it, folk.

moomina · 14/11/2004 09:49

Well, MN would be pretty pointless if threads we only started that were guaranteed not to provoke a reaction, wouldn't it?

FWIW, I think that the vast majority of 4x4s are bought be people who regard them as some kind of status symbol. They are usually entirely unnecessary in an urban envirnoment and I can't see any real justification for them on the school runshopsetc. I believe they are gas-guzlling, envirnomentally harmful, UGLY beasts. You may disagree. But most of all I think we should be capable of having a light-hearted discussion about this without resorting to personal insults.

moomina · 14/11/2004 09:50

/And I should learn to use italics properly/

Original poster
jampot · 14/11/2004 09:59

But the whole thing was kicked off with insults Moomina! SUrely any car is pointless and especially if you live in or around London. My parents didn't have a car until I was about 14.

Whether people buy these cars for a status symbol is entirely their business and in the Western world we have freedom of choice - if everyone wants to "follow the leader" then that too is up to them.

OP posts:
misdee · 14/11/2004 10:00

our car sint pointless. without it dh is housebound.

SoupDragon · 14/11/2004 10:10

Not by me it wasn't, Jampot. If I'd said "yes, you're all arrogant, rude, inconsiderate gits" then yes, replying with an insult would have been perfectly reasonable. I didn't which is why I think Ronniebaby has been extremely rude.

moomina · 14/11/2004 10:16

Well, when I lived in the centre of London and didn't have children then, yes, I did think having a car was pointless. But now I have a child and live in the suburbs, I think a car is important and I'm happy to drive one. But I have a small, nippy 'town' car and I use it only when I really need to - I still get the bus to work, I still walk to the library or to the local shops to get a newspaper, milk, etc. What winds me up is great hulking 4x4s on small local roads being used for short trips. If I can get two adults, a child in a car seat, a buggy and a week's worth of shopping for four people into a Saxo, I don't see why someone else would need a 4x4

But as you say, each to his own...

Original poster
jampot · 14/11/2004 10:37

Soupy - I didn;t mean your comment was kicked off with an insult, I meant the whole 4x4 argument initially by BP

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 14/11/2004 10:53

Soups- Ronniebaby is just being defensive because deep, deep down she feels guilty about her gas guzzling monstrosity, I expect. Hahaha- revenge! Now whatever the pro-fourers say we can blame on the defensivity phenomenon, citing their obvious anguish at their polluting, bull-bar decorated, unwieldy, ugly machines as the cause of their ill judged comments..

Please don't take to heart sweets- do agree RB came across as a bit rude but think it was probably tongue in cheek or at least spur of the moment. Or maybe she really is a bit defensive on this issue?

JanH · 14/11/2004 12:00

jampot, Badhair told you what kind - a sherman tank!

suzywong · 14/11/2004 12:09

moomina are you perchance talking about Hampstead lane? What a nightmare that is at school chucking out time

JanH · 14/11/2004 12:14

Just posted this on the other 4x4 thread - think it should go here too .

Lib Dem Shadow Environment Minister - 4x4s - a programme for change . Constructive suggestions plus loads of scary stats. Very interesting!

fairyfly · 14/11/2004 12:31

i do seem to be following you at the moment, are you getting scared yet?

Gobbledigook · 14/11/2004 12:47

Moomina - I agree - I can get 3 children under 4 in my back seat (2 in a Britax Eclipse, one in a rock-a-tot) and a double buggy plus full Tesco shop in the boot - it's a Mondeo.

No need for a 4x4 at all though I can see the appeal of being high up and yes, some of them are quite nice cars so there's that too.

I don't think anyone is 'a moron' for having one at all, it's all about personal choice - people have lots of things that are a status symbol and not entirely necessary.

However, there is no denying that they are very annoying to other road users in built up areas where roads can be narrow and where parking is an issue!

moomina · 14/11/2004 13:21

Suzy - no I wasn't actually but since you come to mention it... Even 8 years ago that area was a 4x4 hell - god only knows what it's like now.

SenoraPostrophe · 14/11/2004 14:04

Speaking as a 4x4-owning smoker and all-round socail paraiah....

I think the Lib Dems are right. We do own a 4x4 (a Land Rover) but only because dh has been planning to use it for an overland round-Africa trip one day. We're going to sell it.

But I do have to say that all the arguments re pedestrian protection apply equally to transit-type vans and lorries and I don't think it's fair to clamp down on SUVs (or UVs, in our case) without clamping down on those as well. Oh no, we can't because the "road transport lobby" will get upset.

Also re safety of driving - I have a friend who used to drive like an absolute maniac in her mini because "let's face it, if we have an accident we're stuffed anyway and I'd rather die than be paralysedor whatever". And I know I drive more carefully in the LR just because it takes so much physical energy to drive the thing. You should see my left thigh!

Ronniebaby · 14/11/2004 14:07

Now then - Soupy, my alleged insult wasnt aimed a you imparticular, but a generalised, " are you stupid" meaning come on we are women, and we dont go for vulgar things on our cars (except for baby on board stickers, now that's a different thread I think ), like bull bars or skirts or fog lights, flashy wheels etc, thats left up to the men.

Apolo's if you thought it was aimed at you.

You dont deserve to be called stupid, I & 4x4 drivers dont deserve to be called "the stereotype of flash, over indulgent, stuck-up-your-own-arse Joseph wearing dizzy bint who doesn't care for the environment" for the car I drive

I have my car 4x4 and I aint GUILTY about anything to do with it, its practical, safe and I like it, not cause it's a certain colour etc I wanted it so I bought it, I could afford it.

It certainly aint a status symbol, if I'd have wanted that I'd have bought a Shogun or something TOP of the range, but I aint so crass, I dont buy designer stuff either, dont see the point I like useful, practical afford things. But others do and thats fine, upto them, but I dont post about that, personal choice.

Also being pregnant it is SOOOOOO much easier to get in and out of, and getting things out of it is much easier, where as my DH's is a sports car and I have to stoop down (not idea being 8 mnths) to get in, things are heavy when lifting out of it, and the it is the same in my mates cars too.

I think BMW drivers are just like they say (dont get me started), but havent started a thread about them !!!!!

Scummy mum - I am the type of person who is quite laid back and couldnt give a sh*t about what others say etc, but when something is aimed at me (metaphorically) owning a 4x4 I do defend, I never regret anything I do, life is too short, I aint the type to dwell or look inside for answers, never had the deep down thing going on.

Jampot - what are you like, great stats tho!

And I aint apologising for my 4x4, I love it, its my choice to own it.

Gobbledigook · 14/11/2004 14:34

Oohh Ronniebaby - BMW drivers??? What about Audi drivers?? OMG - don't get me started!! I'm not saying EVERY audi driver is terrible but round here if you come into proximity with some dangerous driving, the car is usually an Audi! I'm not kidding - loads of people round here say the same thing!!!

I know lots of people have said it about BMW drivers too but I've not noticed that.

codswallop · 14/11/2004 14:35

dh has one too

Ronniebaby · 14/11/2004 15:07

My DH used to have a BMW, so I have first hand at that.

But then we could start loads of thread on all the types of drivers and how they drive, the car they own, ooh my, we'd have loads of threads

JanH · 14/11/2004 15:10

Don't get me started on Zafiras....

codswallop · 14/11/2004 15:11

har de har jan!

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