Has anyone got a 4x4?

[momof2]

We have just decided to get rid of our faithful Hippo (Nissan Micra) and branch out into the uncertain world of much larger family cars.
I have been looking at a discovery or freelander - please note all old ones not new.
Has anyone any experience of how good/bad they are please? Or any 4x4's they would recommend or MPV's
Many thanks

Do you know, even though I really like the volvo XC90 I was seriously thinking of not buying it because of environmental concerns and pedestrian safety arguments...but quite honestly, reading some of these polemical diatribes has had the opposite effect on me and I'm thinking bugger it, I'm placing an order....(have to see if I follow through on this in the cold light of day)

Whilst I don't doubt some of the finer motives of posters on here, I suspect that in society generally there is some inverse snobbery about 4x4 drivers - i.e. they are seen as the preserve of the rich and over priviledged, and hence are more of a 'target'.....

My point is, I suspect there are much worse things environmentally and in terms of general social 'cost' than 4x4's

bloody hell 350 posts on 4x4s!

I have one. 3 children, 4th on the way, regularly have 6 kids in it, live down an unmetalled potholed dirt track in the middle of nowhere (as fellow MNs will vouch!), what do you suggest I drive? A Sharon?!

So shoot me.

Apparently all us country bumkins should ba able to manage with vauxhall novas.

gosh HMC my cereal packet hasnt taught me to udnerstand your last post. Are you buying the volvo or not?

Duck PPH, they might just!

Not necessarily reverse snobbery. Personally I would not want to be seen dead in one unless I was a farmer or living in the jungle somewhere. I think they are very chav-like and not classy at all actually. No I am not envious either because I could afford to buy them if I wanted one. Mind you, I have to have tiny car to be able to park as I am not world's best parker AT ALL, so big car is out of the question.

oh and fuel efficiency is another thing. I DON'T have a Jeep (14 mpg). I am capable of choosing a fuel efficient one. it does 30mpg, the same as a Mini Cooper which is therefore a bloody sight more efficient than the said Mini since I can lug 8 people and shopping around in it as opposed to 4 and a handbag.

HMC I doubt any of them agree with shooting!

But it is a good point - it also needs to take my dh cross country over hill and dale while he shoots 100s of pheasant partridge and grouse every winter.

"Oh... well THAT'S OK then" I hear them say

lol skinnycow, was I really unintelligible? I've got a bad head cold and it's affecting me!

I'm thinking that......well....probably!....but then again....we might well buy it..

Just peed off with the extremism of some of the views expressed here.

{quielty whispers} my 4x4 gets 30mph, cost less than a new mini or a corsa, and has a specialy designed plastic front that absorbs the impact of a pedestrian collision rather than shattering their legs and then flicking them on to the bonnet.

well FWIW I think its a lovely looking car and Im sure you'll be very happy

Well fairymum, I did score 13% on the recent chav quiz that was posted on here!

whispers oh and HMC the XC90 is meant to be very good. but the X5 is coming out as an 8 seater next year if that is of interest and it is even better...

runs away quickly

how in the heck do you all get 30mpg from yours? Mine does about 10!

Well HMC, then you can even have burberry covered seats in your 4*4 and still get away qith quite a low chav-rating I think

Ummm really, I shall have to look that one up (oh decisions, decisions)...

buy japanese skinnycow.

or alternatively invest in a copy of whatcar (marvellous mag) and have a look at the mpg ratings in the back. eyeopening...

Oh pph, and I thought you were sensible. I'm sorry but your last post is utter rubbish.
Comparing my views on 4x4's with hunting and shooting?? Wrong, wrong, wrong ,wrong.
If I needed one I'd be driving a landrover defender, but I don't, so I don't.

However, you have made one good point. This has created a vast number of posts.

Where can I buy a 1000cc fuel free car that cuddles pedestrians if I hit one?

i need one to keep my dh in a job!

can't believe I've admitted to reading what car and practical poultry in the same 3 minutes on mumsnet.

oh god, in the interests of full disclosure I ought to admit to the odd copy of "country smallholder" and "what laptop" as well as grazia, house and garden, vogue...

its ok PPH - you've done worse - you've admitted you drive a 4X4!!!

You murderer!!!!!!

fairymum,

Do you think 13% was low for a chav rating then? I was horrified

No, definitely thinking of a velour covered seats to go with my Juicy tracky bottoms