4x4s
Now I can understand, if you're a farmer. or live WAY out in the sticks (and I'm not talking about the Cotswolds here), then a Land Rover might be a useful vehicle to have. But why would anyone else (especially anyone who enjoys driving) want one of these Jeep-type vehicles? The only advantage I can see is that you have a high driving position, but that in itself removes one from the involvement of driving.

You want lots of space for luggage? - buy a big estate car.
Plenty of room to get the kids in? - buy an MPV.
You need a 4x4 in case you get stuck in snow? - hardly likely in Chelsea, is it? Even up here in the chilly north, we've only had two falls of snow this year, and my bog standard FWD motor made it through no bother. And for the other 363 days of the year......

As I see it, 4x4s are slow, thirsty (or quick and very thirsty, e.g. 4 litre Landcruiser!), and don't handle too well. Of course there are exceptions - the BMW X5 is of course excellent, but at a price.

If you have 60 grand to spend and really need a 4x4, buy a proper Land Rover and spend the rest on a decent sportscar.

Rant over.

Bloody hell, I feel better now having got that off my chest!

Incidentally, I amazed the bloke behind the Alamo desk when I picked up a rental car at LAX last year, who offered me an "upgrade" to a 4x4, or SUV as they're called over there. I replied that I didn't want one as I don't like SUVs. He looked at me as if I had just told him I came from Saturn, and said that I was the first person he'd ever met who had said this!

So maybe it's just me.....
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Wed 6 Apr 2005, 8:48, Reply)