Car Talk - Non S2000 General Motoring and Non S2000 Car Talk

4x4's

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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 04:53 AM
  #61  
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Although I accept they are taller they do tend to obstruct other peoples view, but can you see through a fully loaded estate car? You can see through cars with good visibility if they're not loaded to the gunnels, and most modern cars have high boots which obstruct taht view, and in the scoob I can't see over the top of another car....

Noise - depends on the mode.

Pollution - again depends on the model

More damage to other road users - possibly, again depends - i remember that top gear where they crashed the tank of a volvo into a modern supermini with interesting results.

More roadwear - I remain to be convinced, the LC is certainly heavier but that's not the only factor in road wear.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 04:56 AM
  #62  
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You can't justify a sports car or a large powerful estate any more than you can justify a 4X4.

There may be slight differences in the numbers but it's just nit picking.

Unless you think everyone should be forced to drive around in 1.0L diesel shopping trolleys, leave 'em alone
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 04:57 AM
  #63  
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all gas guzzling 4x4's should be taxed to ****.


ecocrew out.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 04:57 AM
  #64  
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A pedestrian can certainly see better over a lower height car

Noise, all things being equal, the 4x4 will be noisier (wind and tyre noise)

Pollution - again, all things being equal, the 4x4 will pollute more as it's heavier and has higher drag.

The very nasty effects of 4x4s on pedestrians are well documented, both height and weight are factors

Roadwear is mostly related to weight.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 04:59 AM
  #65  
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Those specs were for a TDi A6 Avant

Nobody can really justify anything other than a Smart car unless they have a specific requirement, and if you listen to the enviro-lentilists you can't even justify that.

Imposing your beliefs on other peoples freedom of choice because you don't like the way a 4x4 looks IS selfish, and where does it stop; removing cars altogether?

People tend to believe the hype about 4x4's being evil and planet destroyers, hopefully by putting these specs up people can see it isn't that straight forward.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 05:00 AM
  #66  
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Slow day in the office.

Takes up more road space which causes blockages and congestion;
Not really. Sure a 4x4 might be bigger, but any car sitting over a junction will block it, and when you take into safe gaps between cars the difference between the road space taken by the different cars is marginal.
Line up 20 X5s and 20 A4 Estates on a raid in normal traffic and I don’t see there would be any more or less congestion.

Causes more pollution;
Yep. But then again, unless you drive a prius or VW Blue thing then it’s all very small differences.
A 4x4 driven normally is less polluting than an A3 driven at max revs everywhere.

Makes more noise
Not always - and besides, roads aren't exactly known to be peaceful qiuiet idylic places at the best of times.

Obstructs the view of other road users;
Yep. But offers great views for the driver, which is safer.

Will cause more damage to other road users in the event of a crash;
Yep, probably. But will keep the driver and passengers safer when someone crashes into them

Will cause more road wear.
A tiny amount in the grand scheme of things.

That's why people don't like them.
I like them. I think they are the bees knees.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 05:02 AM
  #67  
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True LG, but pedestrian safety has come a long way with car design, including 4x4s. I haven't researched it however so I don't know the facts.

Noise - dunno, it doesn't have big wide tyres which contribute massively to road noise judging by the Subaru (which I don't really count as a 4x4).

Pollution - certainly the LC is not friendly with its emissions, so yes compared to a family estate diesel it would be worse there.

Other cars would do a similar job to the LC, but not as well. That's my justification and it shouldn't take any more.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 05:03 AM
  #68  
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my car has 496ltrs of bootspace.


do i win a prize?
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 05:05 AM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by soulcrew,Jan 15 2010, 02:03 PM
my car has 496ltrs of bootspace.


do i win a prize?
Yes.
You win 500ltrs of Ginger beer.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 05:07 AM
  #70  
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how will i get that home?
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