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

Old men in Metros wearing caps and driving at 22mph probably cause a good few.

Yes, I know - I wanted to comment on that one!

god yes

and rover drivers

Skinnycow - I think the comment is flippant because you're impying that children shouldn't be on the road and it's their own fault or the parents' fault if they are hit by a car.

I am only equating 4X4s with illegal parking manouveres at my DD1s ex-nursery. Anyway, small cars illegally parked don't have such a dangerous impact as high-sided vehicles.

"Nothing better than 1 star for pedestrian safety, but mostly 4 or 5 stars for the privileged occupants, so that's all right then".

Check your link again for large off roaders JanH - see the shining light of the VolvoXC90 !

skinnycow, I've never seen a car driving along a pavement either but they do frequently cut the corner off by driving over it when turning along our narrow roads.

The major problem with big 4x4s though is that when one is involved in an accident with a pedestrian or smaller car, regardless of fault, the other party is going to come off far worse than if hit by something "normal" (even an ancient thing with pointy bits).

I have seen cars driving on the pavement but not limited to 4x4s, and i've seen cars parked up on the pavement

Oooh, sorry, hmc - I missed that one lurking at the bottom

I can't find much safety info for mine, it hasn't been ncap tested. It isn't a show car tho, it is more of a serious off roader and not that pretty. It is very strong built, and scored 4 stars in another safety review.

What is it kelly..I don't think a subaru forseter has been tested but the most recent model seems well regarded for safety but i'm not sure if that includes pedestrians

OK - say you have two airlines to choose from. One uses X design of plane that, in the event of an emergency landing for a fire, it can be evacuated in (the required) 90 seconds and all passengers get off safely.

Airline Z uses a type of plane which takes twice as long to evacuate and so half the passengers would die in the event of an emergency landing for a fire.

Aircraft fires occur so infrequently but would you use ariline Y? Should airline Y be allowed to operate with such planes?

I say no and no. I don't think the infrequency of an event should be used to (potentially) compromise the safety of others.

nissan terrano

Well since there is often a 4x4 parked so close to the railings by our school that I cannot get my pushchair through the gap to cross the road where are my children supposed to walk?

I'd be suprised if the Nissan Terrano got more than one star for pedestrian safety. Those things are built like brick walls.

If you are really concerned about pedestrian safety do something productive and contact this bunch of to**ers

speed camera evasion spray

I was sent their catalogue recently and rang to complain (and to ask them to remove me from their mailing list)

Kelly - I want to add that I'm relieved to hear you drive it sensibly but it sounds so patronising. Not meant to be.

hmc - yes, the Jeremy Clarksons of the road are the ones families and sensible drivers really need to vilify.

wht has frequency got to do with it?

my choice is between a people carrier such as a ford galaxy or whatever where my kids have only inches between them and the back of the car, and if another car ploughs into the back they are going to be killed or seriously injured.

or my terrano, where if another car ploughs into us, I'm going to get mostly cosmetic damage and my kids will be safe, protected by an ultra stronger ladder frame chassis.

But Kelly, what if one of my ancient flat-cap Metro drivers mistakenly pulls out of a side turning in front of you and you can't brake in time and crash into his door? What happens to him?

beatie - thanks.

Just cos I drive a 4x4 doesn't mean I don't care about pedestrians. I don't want to knock into anyone. I don't have bullbars fitted. But after a year of living where most people are driving like maniacs, and having seen quite a few accidents right outside my windows, I wanted to protect my kids.

should ancient flat cap drivers who can't see a bloody great terrano coming towards them really be on the road? This isn't saying that he deserves to get hit - but he is the danger on the road not the car that hits him. And its dangerous drivers like these that I want to protect my kids from.
He pulls out, I have to brake bloody hard, and if there is a car behind me I prob get impacts both ends. That is when I'm glad my children and I are in a solid car and not one that is going to crumple on impact.

goodlink handlemecarefully Do they work?

American 4x4's have a worse record because they are a lot heavier than the ones sold over here. Can't remember which website I saw that one - think it might have been Which? - anyway thats the case.

Anteater! you'd better not be thinking of buying it (in my best school marmy reproachful tone!)