Have 4x4s had their day?

[AB Asks]

It's a standard topic with stand up comedians - Parents driving 5 miles to drop their kids off at school in a car designed to cover large distance across ploughed fields and mountainous areas. Add to this their gas-guzzling reputation and the ever-present threat of global warming, and there are constant calls for 4x4s to be phased out. Is this a fuss about nothing and people shouldn't be pressured to sell their off-roader? Or have 4x4s had their day?

[almcd007]

Definitely Not !

Its all a load of rubbish - have a look at this list

Audi A3 2.0 Tdi 51.4 149
Toyota Corolla 1.6 VVT-I T3 40.4 168
Ford Galaxy 1.9 Tdi LX 42.8 178
Peugeot 307 2.0 16v Xsi 35.8 188
Nissan X-trail 2.2 dci 136 Se 39.2 190
Toyota Rav4 2.0 D-4D XT2 39.8 206
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0 Crtd Gsi 37.2 202
Mini one 1.6 Cooper S 3dr 33.6 202
Land Rover Freelander 2.0 Td4 37.2 205
Renault Espace2.2dci Priviledge 36.7 206
Ford Focus 2.0i Zetec 33.1 207
BMW Z4 3.0i SE 31 221
Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 30.1 226
BMW X5 3.0d Sport 4x4 32.8 229
Porshe Boxter 2.7 29.1 233
Ford Mondeo 3.0 Ghia X 27.4 247
Jeep Cherokee 2.5 CRD Ltd 31.4 250
Land Rover Discovery TD5 30.1 262
Jaguar XJ8 4.2 SE Auto 26 264
Subaru Impreza 2.0 WRX Sti 25.4 265
Lexus GS300 Se Auto 4dr 24.3 281
Rolls Royce Phantom 6.75 20 385

The last number is their Co2 emissions The most damning info in this list is that the X5 is way down the list with the Mini just behind it at 0.8 of a gallon per mile difference in MPG and only 27 points in Co2. MPG has nothing to do with it if you take this info at hand and say that mpg wise you are no better off driving a Mini than an X5.

For me it's the safety aspect of driving a car - I'd much rather drive a safer 4x4 with my children in than cramming them in a mini that would offer them little or no protection in an accident.

There's a bigger issue here with plane travel and cleaner power stations - this is a pathetic side argument that I'm sick of hearing about.

[jake-the-peg]

How many times has this been gone over in this topic?

Can AB not find a more original topic for "AB asks"?

[horsestache1]

Agree Jake, hunting is yet again on the menu in Animals and Nature. AB is just trying to provoke us (and it worked in A&N) What idiots

[Toureman]

To answer your silly question, NO.

[pianoman81]

no wonder we have so many fat kids in this country- make your kids walk to school, maybe they will lose some pork...
when i drive early in the mornings during half term- you certainly see the difference where the congestion comes from-
i understand the point of safety but make your lazy kids walk ..... i bet the majority of you on here had to walk to school
as for the 4x4 point - as ive said many times before- unless its a range rover- its rubbish anywho.

[almcd007]

Hmmm I'll let my 6 year old walk a mile to school accross two busy roads with his 3 year old sister shall I ? My children get all the excercise they need - dont judge everybody by your own standards.

Oh and have you actually driven all 4x4's then to make your educated evaluation ?

You talk out your arse Pianoman keep tinkling the ivories.

[pianoman81]

not nursery school kids- idiot .
im talking about primary/secondary-
when you find yourself on the news in a few years time with a 15 stone child- refer back to my earlier point-

and as for telling me im talking out of my arse-
well ive stood up now so maybe you will hear me louder ...
you div....

[pianoman81]

oops , missed a point,
i own a range, dont want a freelander- rubbish,
dont want a landcruiser- rubbish
porsche cayenne - rubbish
volvo sc90- rubbish

and any other that is not a range-
as stated- i own one along with a bmw m3,
i know my cars love.

[pianoman81]

any of you who have a 4x4 that isnt a range-
you have my deepest ,deepest, deepest, most sincere sympathy as it will always be a poor mans / womans, range rover.
simple as that.

[Toureman]

Both my Grand children age 10 and 12 are driven 8 miles to school everyday , both are members of the town swimming club and train twice a week swimming approx 1 mile each time, can you do that pianoman?

[pianoman81]

toureman- fair play to your grand children- sadly not many kids partake in physical activity-

for your information though- i do practice as i preach-
i attend the gym every single day without fail- do 1 hour of heavy weights, 30 mins cardio work- consisting of high levels and incline, 30 mins on punchbag and 30 mins of core stability training- every single day for the last 2 years-
so i am pretty fit and healthy to be fair.

please do not mistake me for one of the lazy office fat bodies on this site who sit at their desk all day -

and before anybody jumps on a wagon and tells me to get a job- i own my own nightclub.

but toureman you did ask- so i have given you all the facts.
but i genuinely mean- fair play to your grandchildren.

[jake-the-peg]

Gosh Pianoman! can we sit in your car and feel your muscles?

[almcd007]

I get it now - I call you an arse after you insult me and then you insult me twice in return. Hmmm confirmation of being an arse I think.

Seeing as I was the only one to have posted in detail when you stated "make your kids walk to school, maybe they will lose some pork... " were you not referring to me ? Or were you talking generally? If so - fair enough. But be more specific when you are insulting people you patronising prat - oh and try not to contradict yourself it doesnt help.

Both my kids have swimming lessons and their BMI is in line with their ages and height please don't assume they are anything like any idiot you have seen on TV.

Please dont call me "love" either - I hardly know you !

You need to aim your angst at someone else who might benefit from your wisdom - as I'm not nor are my children the people you are describing.

[pianoman81]

almcd007-
you are right,
i am a partronsing @rse........see, just ask me and il confirm it for you myself, no need to go the back way round-

as for calling you love, Im glad you picked me up on it in time , it has saved �2000 on the weekend to paris i was about to book for us both .


and jake - sure you can :) as long as you dont start touching my peg.

[horsestache1]

Ohhhhhhh, Pianoman, a night club, healthy kids, and a Range Rover.

Can you deliver my hay (and stack it), tow my horsebox, harrow my fields, drop my kid at school, unhealthy perhaps, but it is 30 miles away, also if you've enough time, collect some fence posts, pick up a few lambs, and fix the radio in my old Jeep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pianoman81]

horsetache-
i dont know if you have become confused- i do not have kids of my own- merely stating a point about porky kids.

as for doing your labouring duties-
let me know your number il get some of the lads round to sort it for you-
i cannot say whether they will be prepared to drop your kid at school or the lamb thing but the rest is good game for them