4x4's, why do people bother?

[Tony]

Why do people buy 4x4's? It certainly doesn't offer as great a ride on our roads as a car, its height disadvantage usually means a deterioration in road-holding. You need a big capacity (ie 2.0 litre +) low-geared diesel engine so it makes economical sense. You're paying extra for a 4-wheel drive system that you'll rarely use, unless of course you're a farmer. Their huge mass portray a false sense of safety (apparently there's a greater chance of being decapitated in such vehicles). Am I missing the point here? Are there any advantages to owning one of these beasts at all? Or do most people buy them to simply make a statement on the road?

[BeCos]

Well I love them, and drove one for about a year and a half. The height is a great advantage and in fact can add to driver safety because usually you can see a situation developing a little bit earlier.

I never found the ride quality or handling noticeable or anything to worry about. You get used to driving a bit slower thats all. The 4wd can make the vehicle more stable on very wet roads or in high winds but I did use mine off road regularly too. The vehicle I had BTW was a Pajero and I'd buy another in a shot, only I dont like the new one at all. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0ltr now thats a vehicle I would kill for, wood, leather, 6 cylinders and good looking to boot.

[PaulKanters]

And they're brilliant if you regularly need to tow trailers with heavy loads!!! like a brutally heavy '68 Charger for example.... ain't that right Becos!! ;)

Shame about the high fuel consumption though :(

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Paul Kanters
Nothing beats Classic Motoring!
welcome.to/classiccarsireland (http://welcome.to/classiccarsireland)
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[BeCos]

Yeah thats true, but still I reckon diesel engines ruin these things. You cant beat the sound of a six or eight throbbing away. Who cares about fuel anyway......sure if ya dont use up the last of the worlds rescources someone else will !!! :D

[SpyCamera]

I think it also comes down to good advertising. People are led to belive that these 4X4's can go over anything, like this add suggests below. I don't know what the appeal of these beasts are, but I have'nt driven one myself. Maybe I should take one out for a test drive and see what all the hipe is all about.
http://www.chiatday.com/product/current_work/nissan/print/xgets_brd_big.jpg

[Justin]

4x4's are absolutely necessary in south Dublin for school runs through all those blizzards, mudslides and of course for the terrible terrain in the Merrion Centre. Didn't you know? Also, and I'll go out on a limb here, 4x4's of the toy Freelander/CRV kind are girls' cars. Posh girls drive Range Rovers and Merc M(edium)L(orry) 320's.

Unless you have to tow a horse box or a boat over rough ground (I am assuming urban drivers here) they are downright stupid, dangerous and an inefficient use of the world's resources: now there's a topic

[Toad]

But are not most of the roads here classified as mud tracks with a bit of tarmac thrown in for good measure nessaciating (sp?) a 4X4.