4 x 4 - raison d'etre?

lovesgshp

jase1 wrote: »

It always amuses me when I see the 4+ litre V8 4x4s being driven at 30mph on A-roads. What was the point in all that power again?

Still, that's fine, you do what you want -- but don't get annoyed with me when I blast past you at the earliest opportunity.

Must be the Middletons in their freebie or a footballer .....lol

rev_henry

I have no idea why people choose to drive 4x4s just because they're flashy and fashionable rather than an equivalent saloon car which is faster, cheaper to run and more comfortable, however if they wish to do so that's fine. Makes the secondhand luxobarges cheap for me.

motorguy

andydiysaver wrote: »

don't know about you but every purchase I've made, I've had a reason to do it, that's what I'm trying to get at here, reasons an urban driver would want a bulky farm vehicle?

Because they want to?

Very few people really *need* most types of car.

Who really needs a convertible?

Who really needs a hot hatch?

Who really needs a 2 seater coupe?

Its just another buying option for most people that seems to have an appeal.

reeac

andydiysaver wrote: »

Just my 2 pence worth




- and then there's the added consideration that these ugly, showy things are just downright rude dangerous and irresponsible

My objection to them is that if you're parked alongside one you have no sideways visibility. In a car park all you can do is wind down your window, listen carefully and exit your space VERY slowly. At a 2-lane roundabout entrance you just have to wait until it's gone if it's to your right.

motorguy

rev_henry wrote: »

I have no idea why people choose to drive 4x4s just because they're flashy and fashionable

They dont. They buy them because they want to. The driving positions great, they're practical in every sense of the word, and usually built to a high spec.

I bought an x5 brand new a while ago and loved it. It had all the toys. Beautiful to drive.

I've also had various 5 series, e class mercs, S types, and a couple of XJs too. Each has their merits.

[Deleted User]

Some people buy a car because they want one. The same way someone would buy a 50" TV or subscribe to Sky's all singing all dancing super duper package.

Buying a car can be for social use as well. It doesn't only have to be the lowest fuel usage, tax band, insurance, etc.

andydiysaver

I don't think the streets are built for them though


point taken the mini is far from being a mini sized car, it hasn't been a mini in the correct sense of the word in years - it's HUGE!


however these Chelsea tractors also continue to grow at astounding rates, and because they started off a lot bigger, they're now enormous, with brand names like warrior and animal, you end up on a one way street against one of them when otherwise it's a two way street.


in my opinion it's about one thing - and that is poncing it up to flaunt your wealth in the most gaudy low class way possible. If you live in a mountain or a farm, fair dos it has its uses


I don't live on the moon so I haven't got a flash bejewelled space suit have I, that's the point I'm really getting at. Off road vehicles on road, annoying everyone normal, just because the drivers have self esteem issues.....

motorguy

andydiysaver wrote: »

in my opinion it's about one thing - and that is poncing it up to flaunt your wealth in the most gaudy low class way possible. If you live in a mountain or a farm, fair dos it has its uses


I don't live on the moon so I haven't got a flash bejewelled space suit have I, that's the point I'm really getting at. Off road vehicles on road, annoying everyone normal, just because the drivers have self esteem issues.....

Those are fairly brash statements to be throwing around, particularly given those of who have / have had big 4x4's have given you very reasonable responses as to why we like them. I guess its you that has the problem though as you feel a need to "judge" people by what they drive. Personally i dont give a monkeys who drives what.

Also if you really looked at the 4x4 market you'd see that whilst some of them have got bigger, you must also note the trend towards smaller 4x4s - the Q5, X3, etc.

Also they've got hugely more economical over time too - the latest x5 can be bought with a 2.0 diesel twin turbo that pushes out nearly as much BHP as my 3.0d did 6 years ago, but does 10mpg more. BMW are also bringing out an electric / diesel variant that should see 50mpg with ease.

I enjoyed my time with mine but been there done that, got the T shirt. I do 25K a year so a Golf diesel is my daily runner, but for a weekend cruiser i'd be more likely to be looking for an XJ again than an X5.

vikingaero

How do you tell who has a genuine need for a 4WD by looking at them?

Our roads are !!!!!! and potholed and every Nazi Council seems to think that the only solution are speed bumps/humps/tables. So soft roaders and 4WDs make sense.

The Animal and Warrior versions of Mitsubishi L200's are a marketing exercise. They are mainly bought by personal business users and fulfil a dual role of work and family. Greener and more eco than owning two seperate vehicles.

motorguy

andydiysaver wrote: »

however these Chelsea tractors also continue to grow at astounding rates, and because they started off a lot bigger, they're now enormous, with brand names like warrior and animal,

Actually you really need to do your homework more on 4x4s. Generally the latest variants tend to be no larger but certainly lighter than their predecessors, and they're invariably more economical.

Also Warrior and Animal were from memory names used by Mitsubishi to help sell what were and are fairly average vehicles - they're certainly not "brands"