Why have 4x4s?

[Bucknallbear]

Originally Posted by jerryh

I had a Land Rover for a few years.

What's good about them?

1. They are taller and give a better view - either to see further ahead on the road (safer), to see the countryside over the hedges (for passengers. of course), or when used as a hide.
2. They can go and keep going where less capable vehicles cannot - on rough tracks or through floods or snow.
3. In such adverse conditions, they can help other stranded drivers.
   
   Remember the big snowstorm we had in the south a few years ago? On my 6-hour journey to work (it usually takes 1), my Land Rover and I pulled 3 normal vehicles out of snowdrifts and gave another stranded driver a lift.
   
   and also on a more personal note:
4. Mine was not not fast vehicle, so I was far less inclined to drive quickly and so was far more relaxed at the end of my journey.

A large number of the complaints made here about 4x4s should be aimed at the driver - the nut behind the wheel - not the car.

Jerry

At my children's sports day at the end of last term the car parking on the fields was rather muddy. I drove onto the field and instantly got stuck blocking the entrance. There were a LOT of 4 x 4s there, probably more than 20, but not a single one had a tow rope! In the end my wife borrowed a rope from a farmer and towed me out with her landrover. Perhaps we should have a campaign to encourage 4 x 4 drivers to carry tow ropes so they can help us poor two wheel drivers when we get stuck

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by geordie graham

Are you complaining because they are four wheel drive or because they are gas guzzlers.If it is because they are both of these then why not complain about all the luxury/sports car of which a vast majority are four wheel drive and use a damn site more fuel than a diesel Landrover, ......... Graham

Why not criticise them all? There ought really to be an easily accessible listing of pollution and other defects of various cars - but we've been unable to find one. Anyone know of one - we won't even be considering a 4x1 or a Ferrari but would like to know where we stand in the great scheme of things when we buy our next, smaller, more efficient car.

[Bucknallbear]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Why not criticise them all? There ought really to be an easily accessible listing of pollution and other defects of various cars - but we've been unable to find one. Anyone know of one - we won't even be considering a 4x1 or a Ferrari but would like to know where we stand in the great scheme of things when we buy our next, smaller, more efficient car.

I think the dual fuel engines are supposed to be very good - a Prius I think - but they are probably expensive.

[Coley]

Originally Posted by Cazzie

Bet it drinks juice though eh?!?

Anyway, only fella's wearing a checked shirt should drive 4x4's eg. farmers, builders, lumberjacks, oh, and Jamie Oliver lol!

You enjoying this Coley?!?

I have tears in my eyes

[juliejam]

I feel cars like these do have there place ..if your living at in the sticks and this causes you to have a some what of a challenge of a drive to get anywhere ...then these cars are needed...but for someone living in town and using it to take kids to school and do a bit shopping ..i feel that some of them are way too big ..Ive noticed that when they are in a car park the space provided next to them is a bit of a squeeze to get in..

[Coley]

Originally Posted by Bucknallbear

At my children's sports day at the end of last term the car parking on the fields was rather muddy. I drove onto the field and instantly got stuck blocking the entrance. There were a LOT of 4 x 4s there, probably more than 20, but not a single one had a tow rope! In the end my wife borrowed a rope from a farmer and towed me out with her landrover. Perhaps we should have a campaign to encourage 4 x 4 drivers to carry tow ropes so they can help us poor two wheel drivers when we get stuck

It was probably the 4x4s that churned up all the mud

[Coley]

Originally Posted by geordie graham

Are you complaining because they are four wheel drive or because they are gas guzzlers.If it is because they are both of these then why not complain about all the luxury/sports car of which a vast majority are four wheel drive and use a damn site more fuel than a diesel Landrover,or are we just jumping on the anti 4X4 bandwagon without really knowing the full facts.

Graham

Mostly the concerns are about the size of these things, the danger to other road users, the fact that you could probably make two cars out of the material it takes to make one and so on.
I know what you mean about the other types of cars though. However, there seems to be alot less of those on the road as they are so expensive and in a crash you'd probably roll over one lol

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Coley

I have tears in my eyes

You crying or laughing Tis a good debate...

[Wildwood]

When I visit London I see more 4x4s there than in rural Sussex. I understand why farmers and some people in rural areas need them but I don't understand why people need them in towns and cities, especially ones with bull bars. You don't often see rampaging cattle in the Kings Road.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Wildwood

When I visit London I see more 4x4s there than in rural Sussex. I understand why farmers and some people in rural areas need them but I don't understand why people need them in towns and cities, especially ones with bull bars. You don't often see rampaging cattle in the Kings Road.

Well, you do see a few mad cows ....
In fact, the converse, many farmers that I know in the SE don't have rugged cars at all rather an array of mercs