4x4 Drivers: Are you met with contempt on the road?
Discussion
Impasse said:
Zod said:
I drive a big 4x4, but I also drive a sports car and this is one of my bugbears too. In the sports car, I get forced onto verges by idiots in RRSs and the like.
It's a common misconception that the paint on a RRS is more hardwearing and cheaper to repair than the paint on a sports car or diesel town car. I've no issue with taking to the verge when encountering an approaching car, however I won't drive with two/three/four wheels on the grass from the moment I see the other car as it's neither necessary nor particularly good for the verge from all aspects of the Tread Lightly mantra. I'll move over at a suitable point and for the shortest distance possible and the slowest speed necessary.
However, I won't stuff the car into a hedge and risk damage to its paint like the owner of a hand painted Defender might do, but nor would I expect the other driver to risk their car's paint either. Cooperation is required from both of us to complete the pass at overgrown pinch points. I find a cheerily waved "thank you" always helps with the navigation.
If there is insufficient room to pass without pushing either car into a hedge, then there is insufficient room to pass. What I and others are complaining about is the 4x4 drivers not being prepared to get their wheels dirty, while being oblivious to a low-slung sports car having to move over onto a muddy verge.
Why do people hate 4x4s? Why do people hate sports cars? Why do people hate BMWs? Audis? Rovers?
Thing is, they don't.
The overwhelming majority of drivers don't know the first thing about cars or driving. To suggest that they pick out certain brands or drivetrains and then have the skill to swiftly cause as much hassle for those drivers is compete and utter tosh.
The truth is that, because of their aforementioned lack of interest in all things automotive, the majority are dreadful drivers. The fact that you come across them in your 4x4 doesn't mean they're acting that way because of the car you're in (think about it, how God complex is that on your part?!?), they'd block you off/cut you up/flash when you overtook no matter that you were driving. That you happened to be in a 4x4/Aston/335d at the time is immaterial.
I get flashed when overtaking by the 25mph in an NSL brigade (we're a bit slower here in Devon than you fancy Dan, big city types) no more and no less in a Jag than I do in a C-Max than I did in an A3 than I did in an EO Focus ST. Idiots are idiots, what you're in when you come across them is immaterial.
Simon.
Thing is, they don't.
The overwhelming majority of drivers don't know the first thing about cars or driving. To suggest that they pick out certain brands or drivetrains and then have the skill to swiftly cause as much hassle for those drivers is compete and utter tosh.
The truth is that, because of their aforementioned lack of interest in all things automotive, the majority are dreadful drivers. The fact that you come across them in your 4x4 doesn't mean they're acting that way because of the car you're in (think about it, how God complex is that on your part?!?), they'd block you off/cut you up/flash when you overtook no matter that you were driving. That you happened to be in a 4x4/Aston/335d at the time is immaterial.
I get flashed when overtaking by the 25mph in an NSL brigade (we're a bit slower here in Devon than you fancy Dan, big city types) no more and no less in a Jag than I do in a C-Max than I did in an A3 than I did in an EO Focus ST. Idiots are idiots, what you're in when you come across them is immaterial.
Simon.
simonej said:
In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal.
If you didn't even have to brake then it doesn't sound like they were brake testing you.Are you certain you aren't driving too close? Being high up makes it look like there is more distance between you and the vehicle in front compared to driving a regular car (i.e. you get to see more road between you), and I have noticed that SUVs do tend to drive closer than they perhaps realise.
I've not really had any issues with my RRS but I don't drive it much. I did have one idiot try and cut me off merging into his lane when mine was ending by accelerating as fast as he could but that can happen in any car really.
I gave it full throttle and shot past him much to his annoyance
I gave it full throttle and shot past him much to his annoyance
Zod said:
impasse is a well-chosen name!
If there is insufficient room to pass without pushing either car into a hedge, then there is insufficient room to pass. What I and others are complaining about is the 4x4 drivers not being prepared to get their wheels dirty, while being oblivious to a low-slung sports car having to move over onto a muddy verge.
I guess you missed the word "cooperation" in my post during your haste to take exception.If there is insufficient room to pass without pushing either car into a hedge, then there is insufficient room to pass. What I and others are complaining about is the 4x4 drivers not being prepared to get their wheels dirty, while being oblivious to a low-slung sports car having to move over onto a muddy verge.
Mr2Mike said:
simonej said:
In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal.
If you didn't even have to brake then it doesn't sound like they were brake testing you.Are you certain you aren't driving too close? Being high up makes it look like there is more distance between you and the vehicle in front compared to driving a regular car (i.e. you get to see more road between you), and I have noticed that SUVs do tend to drive closer than they perhaps realise.
daemon said:
Generally ok, but there was the odd cock. I remember a guy flashing the lights and giving me the w
ker sign just because i overtook him as he was doing 30 in a 60. And no, he didnt know me...
I had this. I was stuck behind some school run mum in her 4x4. She was weaving about, travelling at half the speed limit despite an empty road in ideal daytime conditions, struggling to keep in her lane. So I effortlessly overtook and carried on cruising along at the legal speed limit. She clearly got furious, flashed her lights and caught up with me, inches from my bumper giving hand gestures and attempting to intimidate me. She clearly though she should have the right to drive badly and keep a queue of people waiting. She was clearly viewing herself as "Queen of the road" who simply could not be in the wrong. This one imbecile summed up all the actions and attitudes which makes so many people hate 4x4 drivers on the whole. No, not all are this bad. But the overall image is dreadful.ker sign just because i overtook him as he was doing 30 in a 60. And no, he didnt know me...jonah35 said:
I hate them i in car parks, no one can park next to them as they're too big to fit in the space. I do think they should have to pay for 2 spaces because it is unfair otherwise.
How many times have you seen an empty space only to get to it to decide that because of the 4x4 in the next space that it is too small to get into.
Often the drivers can be ignorant to others or just think they're more important - perhaps one of the reasons they feel the need for a big car.
Of course this doesn't apply to all drivers, but even the best of you will not be able to help spilling out of your car park space.
I don't think you can blame today's car/4x4/SUV drivers for the size of car parking spaces. How many times have you seen an empty space only to get to it to decide that because of the 4x4 in the next space that it is too small to get into.
Often the drivers can be ignorant to others or just think they're more important - perhaps one of the reasons they feel the need for a big car.
Of course this doesn't apply to all drivers, but even the best of you will not be able to help spilling out of your car park space.
I believe the official size of parking spaces was set by the powers that be many years ago when cars were much smaller and has never been changed as cars have generally increased in size, add to that most retail outlets/supermarkets are only interested in cramming in as many parking spaces as they can, (ignoring larger disabled, mother and child spaces which are a relatively recent addition). Perhaps we should have special spaces as well for the larger vehicle.
Those at Costco have what I would call American sized spaces which are great for loading vehicles.
jonah35 said:
I hate them i in car parks, no one can park next to them as they're too big to fit in the space. I do think they should have to pay for 2 spaces because it is unfair otherwise.
How many times have you seen an empty space only to get to it to decide that because of the 4x4 in the next space that it is too small to get into.
Often the drivers can be ignorant to others or just think they're more important - perhaps one of the reasons they feel the need for a big car.
Of course this doesn't apply to all drivers, but even the best of you will not be able to help spilling out of your car park space.
Brilliant. How many times have you seen an empty space only to get to it to decide that because of the 4x4 in the next space that it is too small to get into.
Often the drivers can be ignorant to others or just think they're more important - perhaps one of the reasons they feel the need for a big car.
Of course this doesn't apply to all drivers, but even the best of you will not be able to help spilling out of your car park space.
I drive an ML.
It is 1839mm wide and 4368mm long.
I see you're looking at a CL...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Which is 1872mm wide and 5065mm long.
But the 4x4 should pay for 2 spaces?
And they are ignorant, hence the reason for a big car?
Bless.
Fizpop said:
Mr2Mike said:
simonej said:
In 2000 miles and three months I've been 'brake tested' three times and in all cases have been following at normal distances, normal enough that I haven't actually needed to brake myself, I've just had to cover the brake pedal.
If you didn't even have to brake then it doesn't sound like they were brake testing you.Are you certain you aren't driving too close? Being high up makes it look like there is more distance between you and the vehicle in front compared to driving a regular car (i.e. you get to see more road between you), and I have noticed that SUVs do tend to drive closer than they perhaps realise.
Ah well, I'll see how I get on with it over the next few months. I absolutely love the car and have no intention of changing it, although I'll consider altering my driving style if things continue.
I only notice a difference when I'm towing the caravan. It's amazing how many people make the leap of faith to pull out in front of me, then accelerate slowly to 45 mph. More than once I've refused to back off and just swept on by. They really don't like being overtaken by a caravan in this scenario.
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