Why have 4x4s?

[Coley]

I thought it would be funny if we could argue the purpose of these vehicles.
For example; They protect you in a crash.

I'm looking forward to your opinions.

[medieval knievel]

they burn all that pesky oil which would otherwise be polluting our bedrock.

[kshotton45]

Nmmmmmmmm !! I bet this one warms up ..........

Keith.

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Nmmmmmmmm !! I bet this one warms up ..........

Keith.

yeah i do as well!

i think probably like all things, 4x4's have their place, and their uses. for example trying to get to remote places to rescue someone, maintenance of tracks, getting up farm tracks etc. i for one do not fancy the idea of trying to get up some tracks in my car, and generally wish i had one when i have to get out and walk, but on the road? a vehicle for suburban peeps? i'm not a fan of 4x4's that are simply for show, for example the X5 which i view as a deeply irresponsible move by BMW, given the natural resource constrictions that we are beginning to have to face.

[stripee]

Ha well I saw an absolutely gigantic one in the local car park this summer called The Warrior it was Massive. I can see that if you need to pull a trailer full of sheep maybe they are useful, but otherwise there are all sorts of reasons why people feel safer in them, need them for the school run, or just like the image and look of them. That's not to say that some big cars are just as extravagant at gas guzzling. Did anyone see the TV prog about 3 4x4 owners being convinced to give them up? A few months ago, 2 owners agreed they didn't need them, 1 hung onto his gigantic vehicle for his image. They did experiments like putting school kids behind them and seeing if the drivers could see them, and they couldn't. Tanks next....

[kshotton45]

I recently drove up the Hardnott Pass( awesome) in the Lake District. A 4x4 had to use a passing place to let us by. The passing place was rather rough ( still OK for cars) , the 4x4 driver was terrified ! and tiptoed into it!
Let's face it, only farmers need 4x4's

Keith. ( I've a feeling I shouldn't have said that !! He! He! )

[Cazzie]

I've got a sorta 4X4 - Honda CRV and tbh where I live I wouldn't be without it! The amount of times I get 'shoved' into a ditch or verge by the tourists is unbelievable Not so bad in an urban environment (only kerb stones to negotiate usually) but here there are big wedges of stone (hubby has just knackered his alloys on his Jag boo-hoo!) and all sorts hidden in the verge so if I wasn't 'up higher' I'd be getting new sills,front vallance etc. for my car by now Mines hardly a gas-guzzler though... 2 litre petrol

[Tormentil]

If you can afford to buy one and afford to run one, who am I to descry your choice.

We're not yet a totalitarian state.

[stripee]

Yes anyone can buy what they like... if you are a pedestrian hit by a 4 x 4 there is more chance of being killed. Also for cyclists and if you are in a small car....I think it is a fashion in cities maybe will fade away soon. On rough tracks French cars such as Peugeot are excellent, higher underneath bits.

[Coley]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

If you can afford to buy one and afford to run one, who am I to descry your choice.

We're not yet a totalitarian state.

I don't agree with that. In my experiance I always find that people with too much money tend to waste it on over consuming energy in some way. 4x4s, Porches, Holidays abroard, too much food in the trolly etc. Of course I don't mean every wealthy person.