... now while I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to global warming, I do abhor pure waste as typified by the 4x4.....it's not the vehicle itself, which may have it's applications in the right location .....but the use of these bloated symbols of chavdom/new money to use around town never fails to make me ask why?

Is it just me or does anyone else reckon theyre mostly used by women to drop the kids off at school ?

Yeah, either skinny little ferrety women who can't see over the steering wheel or women with too much make up, a cute dolphin tattoo, fake tan and Burberry G- string

I've got a 4 x 4 it does 42mpg & I can get up to Hartlepool & back whatever the weather - 460 mile round trip (also can get to work & back - but that's another story). It can carry my amp / synth's / guitar & assorted gear & it's good to drive. I'm certainly no chav or have new money or much old money come to that. My elderly parents can get into and out of it comfortably. Oh, and it's gor a Hartlepool scarf draped along the back seat.

Not a fan myself, I'm with Snowy here - they have their place, but it's not dropping the kids off at school. Sadly I don't think they're going away for various reasons.

1) People feel safer in them as they're higher up and in something built like a cheap tank. However they are actually more dangerous for pedestrians, who are more likely to get serious injuries if hit by one - even without the Bull Bars that still appear on some.

2) Status Symbol. Not only can you afford to buy one, you can afford to run it.

3) Caravanners. Caravans are getting heavier, and towing best practice means you therefore need a heavier car to pull them - hence 4x4s are often seen pulling sheds.

Tax them until they squeal, unless they live on a farm!

Aren't bull bars illegal now?

iAs I said, depends on the application, but I stand by my view that these things are a huge waste of resources to produce and their use around town is frankly absurd ...one chap on the radio defending them was told that a normal car would suffice for him, and that in the event of a collision with a similar type of vehicle that statistically both sets of ocupants would have a high chance of survival because of the in built design features, whereas the 4x4 would probably wipe out the occupants of a standard car it was in collision with. The git then cynically said that's why he drove a 4x4 as his familes safety was paramount and their survival was his only concern.

Mine's for practicality - if I didn't need to work or worked locally I'd probably not need one. Still useful for getting to the Vic & back and away games in the winter mind. Before the 4 x 4 I had a MX-5 this, despite being small & light only did 26 mpg and couldn't even hold a weeks shopping - let alone any group gear. Being rear wheel drive it was treacherous in the ice / snow & we could never give anyone a lift.

Admission here:
I've got a ten year old Jeep, only cost me two and a half grand so not a great status symbol there. Just got fed up with dull cars, needed something for two kids, our lass and a dog, along with space for visiting inlaws other side of sheffield or going camping.
Cant be doing with People Carriers
Have a job where I have to get to work whatever the weather.
2.5 diesel - not a 4 litre job.
As for global warming I havent got on a plane for six years and how many can say that? As I understand a plane is far far worse than my battered old jeep.
Dont use for school run. We walk; its only 150 metres
I cant think of any more justifications
Is this so bad?

yes you bought american!!

get a landy!

I'm talking bloated crew cab pick up or land cruiser style steroid fed poser wagons here, the sort festooned with chrome anti roll bars , bull bars and even mars bars ..... immaculate paint job and a open back pick up area so clean and polished you could perform surgery on it...vehicles not doing the job they were designed to do..they closest they get to off road is parking on the pavement (theold jokes are the worst ) so stop panicking lads, your crappy 2.5 litres aren't even in the same league.

. . . . and mines only 2 litres (Landy Freelander) and like BWH I have to (well am supposed to) get out in all weathers & some of the more rural places I've had to visit need a 4 x 4.

..the sheep may beg to differ

Sheep need social workers too you know.

one of my pet hates!!

You see one coming towards you on YOUR side of the road, you bet it's a tiny woman who can just about see over the steering wheel!!

4x4 drivers have 25% more crashes on average. The monster gas-guzzler also emits 4xmore C02 than if you were a passenger on a plane, so it's just as well BWH has given up flying!

I'm surprised by the crashes thing. Surely 17 to 25 year old males have more crashes than anyone else? That is what I have always believed and research I've seen holds that to be true. Cant imagine many lads that age could afford to drive a 4x4 or would even if it were their dads
I know for a fact that I drive slower and more carefully in my jeep than I did in my astra - which was much speedier off the mark