Why do you own a 4x4 vehicle particularly if you live in a suburban area?

Question

Charles C, if you live in UK then 3 mm of snow doesn't justify "needing" a 4x4

Answer 1

Beause in the winter when the roads are covered in snow and ice it is safer for my wife to drive.

Edit: How about 1 1/2 feet between breakfast and lunch? Northern Oklahoma.
And judging from the ratings, the people here just assume 4X4 means a Suburban or hummer. My wifes is GMC S10 Blazer. Not a large vehicle by any means. Gets better mileage than many cars. Four wheel drive does not automatically mean big or bad mileage. My neighbor drives a Subaru. Would you give him a thumbs down? Gets about thessame mileage as a Cooper Mini. Many of the people here are not thinking, just have an idea that four wheel drive is "bad".

Answer 2

There are some cars which have full-time 4×4 (or All Wheel Drive: AWD), which are more for rain/snow/ice safety on paved streets. This is particularly effective with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and traction control. And there is the odd person who actually tows a large trailer or carries a heavy load on a more-or-less regular basis.

However, there are far too many people who have 4×4 trucks and SUV's who never leave "blacktop." They are people who may need a minivan to take the kid's soccer team out for ice cream, but want something more macho or more expensive than the neighbor two doors down has. America is a land of freedom. You can buy whatever kind of vehicle you want, often even if you can't afford it.

But just because you can, doesn't mean that you should. More than 60% of the world's petroleum comes from 5 Middle-Eastern countries. Does your fuel bill scream "support terrorism" louder than your bumper sticker says "support our troops"?

If I wanted the safety of an AWD car, I'd buy a little VW from Europe with a diesel engine and either syncro or 4motion AWD and ship it here (or at least the drivetrain thereof and frankenstein it onto a US-Spec TDI). 40+ mpg and it can run on biodiesel, cooking oil, as well as dino-diesel. Take that OPEC!

Answer 3

Just because you live in a suburban area doesn't mean you can't own one. Why do people start whining like little babies when this question is asked? Why do you care if they pay more for gas? It's not like you're buying it for them - and the more gas they sell, the lower the prices, so SHUT UP.

For towing, camping, off roading, traction in water and snow, safety, for show and for fun. Sure, some of it seems a bit unnecessary. But to all the complainers - why should you care? You don't have to maintain the vehicle, so why is it any business of yours?

Lol, and then someone posts this:
"I hate them, there is a woman who parks up just around the corner from me on schooldays, she parks up at 2-55, everyday, the kids do not come out till 3-15, but she needs to be ' in her space ' so she has somewhere to park --- how stupid. "

Does....she drive a 4x4 truck? How do you know it's not 2x4? Maybe she has a lot of kids, or takes other familys' kids home, or just wants the added security of a bigger vehicle? And what business is it to you if she gets there early? She wants to be out front so her kids can see her. If she showed up right at 3:15, she'd get stuck in that huge line of parents picking up their kids, and probably be there longer than if she just shows up early. So she gets there 20 minutes early. Does that inconvenience you? If so, please tell me how. Have you ever showed up at a movie theater early so you can get the good seats? Hmmm...concept seems the same....

Answer 4

I use my Jeep Cherokee for camping and hauling canoe and fishing gear as well as just to get to the camping/fishing locations! As well as the ski resorts and towing my snowmobile to the ice fishing locations. I also have a 1993 Saturn SC2 coupe as my commuter(32 miles each way to work). That 36 mpg is a lot better than the 17 my Jeep gets. So i aim to be environmentally responsible(93 Saturn) while maintaining the ability to have some fun in the environment(2000 Jeep Cherokee)!

Got a problem with that?

Answer 5

I live in an Urban area. I make semi frequent trips to the desert where I use the 4X4. I know a lot of people who do the same, or did the same when they bought their truck/suv.

A few friends of mine have moderate sized boats, their 4x4 truck pulls the trailer and boat out of the water without wheel spin on the boat ramp...

Answer 6

Because in the winter months, starting 10-31, I am often found out in the desert of So. California tooling around in the sand dunes. If I get stuck, I just air down the tires to about 10#, drop 'er into 4WD, and drive away back to camp.

Try it sometime. The other off-roaders will always be happy to help you out if YOU get stuck with your cheap, 2WD piece of junk.

Most of you whiners only hate 4X4's because you can't AFFORD one, not because you REALLY have any concern about air quality, which is affected more by China and volcanos than by all the cars and trucks in THIS country.

So quit yer bellyachin' you cry baby.

(this subject is one that really annoys me, sorry)

Answer 7

Maybe the person expects to go camping and will need it. If you live where it snows, The person with the 4x4 wants added security in inclement weather. Usually it is just for prestige and resale value. 4x4's will get a better price when selling it even if it is never used.

Answer 8

I have a Jaguar X which is, technically a 4X4 vehicle, but is not designed for hill climbs or farmland!.
We need to distinguish examples such as this from the "monster" vehicles that dominate our roads without any justification for their size and/or power!.
School delivery vehicles driven by "power obsessed" mums (or dads) should be heavily taxed as unnecessary consumers of energy!

Answer 9

I live in New England, A foot of snow per storm is the norm, sometimes much more.... Also I enjoy 4wheeling, and you can't do that with 2WD!!! So if you and your Yaris ever get stuck in the snow I'll wave as I drive by.... You can't miss me I drive a bright green 1978 International Travel All...... And yes it gets 8mpg

Also, crispy bacon and egg...... you sound like a real yuppie prick!!!

Answer 10

To squish tiny li cars like mine so oh yea ur fine if u crash into someone but the other poor sod is dead!

I live in lincolnshire i think its understandable for there to be 4x4 over here with the amounts of mud and floods and big feilds we have.

I think its pathetic to have one if you are in the city/sub-urban areas though