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

yes and I don't have any kids at home and I live in the cooooontry

got problem with that?

We have an old N reg disco & it probably saved our lives when a driver pulled out in front of us & hit us side on.

Downside is it only does about 18 miles to the gallon

Gdine, very much agree with you post

Parp!

oh yes dont forget to not go on holiday by plane - that wrecks the planet too

No, but I'd like one!

Well, its more difficult to go abroad without going on a plane than choosing a more ecologically friendly car to drive
In principle I agree.

Actually, take that back, not necessarily a 4x4 but a 7 seater.

Ah the old plane arguement. Here's the thing. Most times we go by plane because there really isn't another way. There are many other options however to a 4 x 4 which gives 18 miles or whatever to the gallon.

As well as being incredibly harmful to the environment they are also far more likely to kill a pedestrian, as the height of the daft things means that pedestrians (and in particular children) go under the wheels instead of rolling onto the bonnets which absorb a lot of the impact.

first of all you dont have to go abroad for your hols either

secondly I would rather be hit by a 4x4 (or any other high vehicle) than a van, bus or lorry

My main objection about a 4*4 is that they seem to be driven by bad drivers. My personaly theory is that bad drivers feel more safe in big cars.

We feel the same about Audi and BMW drivers

No, you don't have to go abroad. You're right. But many plane journeys do have to be made. Why on earth would you rather be hit by a 4 x 4?

Parp fairymum .

i'd rather be hit by a 4x4 than a lorry bus or van - of which there are many more on the roads

We? Do you speak for all 4x4 drivers?

But why would you rather be hit by a 4x4?

pg - no my husband and I actually and loads of other people to be honest.

because a 4x4 is not as big or heavy as a bus, van or lorry. !

sorry to butt in......haven't read all the thread but thought that I'd say to read the What car report on the freelander before you commit. They tested it against the CRV and Nissan X-trail and the X-trail came top. If you're trading in Nissan for Nissan you'll get a better deal too.
ps. choose whatever you want to drive - it's a free country

Your DH and "loads of others". Not all 4x4 owners then! Buses and lorries don't tend to roar up surburban streets to the same extent as 4x4's, nor are they seen outside schools up and down the country. And a lot of vans are somewhat smaller than 4x4's and theire wheel base is much lower, which means that in accidents pedestrians roll onto the bonnets, and not under the wheels as will happen with a 4x4.

I personally hope you never get hit by a 4x4. The damage would be horrific.

Not many drivers find themselves thinking 'now, what shall I get to replace the Fiesta - a 4x4 or perhaps a nice red double decker routemaster?'.

Have to parp myself. A member of my staff was taken off the critical list yesterday, havng been hit on a zebra crossing by a 4x4. I know her consultant. She is a bone trauama specailist. She said had my freind/colleague/staff member been hit by an ordinary car, shge would have been scooped up and over the top, absorbing some of the impact. Many of the devastating injuries - and believe me, they are devbsatating, I stood in intensive care on Thursday with tears pouring down my face, were caused by being hit full-on by a straight wall of vehicle which pushed her forward so that she was then ploughed into.

In central london. Not on a mountain track.

think that I'll take cover......

I don't know where some of you live but I don't think the narrows congested roads in London are built for 4x4s. Maybe they are more suitable in the country.

I dont' understand why people in London are buying them. Seems to be a status symbol thing. The UK is copying the US once again.

Parp - Poppyseed, your smiley has just made me boil. Free country. yes, for drivers. less so for pedestrains, apparantl;y.

Absolutely, Blu.

A parent at my children's school drives this - we're in a suburban town in SE England, not the Outback fgs. I am mystified by it and it can't even fit in a normal car park space.