Just curious, thats all!

**Sniper** · 16th August 2005, 10:24

For thos of you that saw my 4x4's and my suggestion thread.

Im just purely curious, why do some of you own 4 wheel drives? Motu mentioned something about better visability and I can presume that they are great for carrying gear if you are a mechanic or carpenter or in those sort of trades. But why else do you own your 4x4?
I only ask because I was riding in a group of 4x4's this morning and all were well behaved but a couple of the drivers were in suits and ties so I dont think they needed theirs for carting gear.

Just so that you know, this isn't a dig at anyone. I know that I used to stereo-type 4x4 drivers and it was a dumb thing to do, but now Im just curious why you own one?

Sniper

**onearmedbandit** · 16th August 2005, 11:08

I bought mine only for the brand that it is, always aspired to own one and now I do. It's the first 4x4 I've owned, but won't be the last. Other than the features the vehicle has I appreciate the better visibility the vehicle allows you to have. Also when I do desire to travel off-road, which I have done in it, I know I can. I understand all too well that they can block other drivers view, so I try to be considerate of other road users when driving it. Hmmm, can't deny though the feeling of sitting up high though, would find it hard to go back to a car as such, even one priced similar to my 4x4.

**phantom** · 16th August 2005, 11:17

We've got our Pajero to tow the often heavily loaded tandem trailer we need for my partners "sort of part time" commercial garden maintenance business. When she isn't gardening she is a sales rep for a well known telephone directory company coloured yellow so it also gets used for commuting, dropping daughter at school. Depending on timing it either looks like it is being used for the purpose it was designed for, or else , by yet another gorgeous blond just using it to drop the kids off to school

**Ixion** · 16th August 2005, 11:21

Originally Posted by Sniper

For thos of you that saw my 4x4's and my suggestion thread.

Im just purely curious, why do some of you own 4 wheel drives? Motu mentioned something about better visability and I can presume that they are great for carrying gear if you are a mechanic or carpenter or in those sort of trades. But why else do you own your 4x4?
I only ask because I was riding in a group of 4x4's this morning and all were well behaved but a couple of the drivers were in suits and ties so I dont think they needed theirs for carting gear.

Just so that you know, this isn't a dig at anyone. I know that I used to stereo-type 4x4 drivers and it was a dumb thing to do, but now Im just curious why you own one?

Sniper

Cos sometimes I need to tow stuff. And sometimes I need to cart big heavy stuff. And sometimes I like to go for a drive down back country places where the roads are not good or not there (I'd rather take a bike, but sometimes Mrs Ixion wants to come along)

And my "normal" cage is (by choice) a small two seater sports type. Not good at doing any of thos ethings.

Maybe the guys in suits did stuff with their 4x4s at the weekend. Not everyone can have several cars.

I agree that it's stupid using them as kiddie transport. And the "safer" thing is a bit of a myth. But a lot of Kiwis still do stuff that is best done in a heavy duty vehicle.

**Pixie** · 16th August 2005, 11:40

Originally Posted by Ixion

Maybe the guys in suits did stuff with their 4x4s at the weekend.

Yes,revel in the feeling that they DID have a penis

**Flyingpony** · 16th August 2005, 12:45

I have a work 4wd and not a city 4wd. I am now livng in the city but it'll still get timeout for real work. It won't be used to drive to the office because they're more expensive to run than a standard car (ignoring it's currently not road worthy).

It was purchased as an alternative to a tractor. A tractor would have been handy for some situations but a 4wd proved to be the better buy.

It was used as follows:
- cart 1.5 ton of shingle.
- cart 1 ton of coal.
- tow heavy trailers/cars where 2wd got stuck or not enough low end power.
- seriously cut walking time off long walk journey's.
These weren't one-off activities. Cart shingle happened 10 times per week for 2 years and towing heavy trailers likewise.

Once it's road worthy again, it'll see less work than before and will be used more for social off-road trips and for carting garden stuff. A nice and easy retirement for it me thinks (ignoring the time when it blew the gearbox up).

Edit: And it was also very useful in salvaging motorcyclists that crashed down banks near the house back up onto the road.

**Motu** · 16th August 2005, 12:45

I think we've done it before....but anyway - I got my Pajero because the Pacific Island lady blew the engine to smitherines,she walked away from it so I paid $500 for it.By the time I'd pulled the engine and discovered the rod jammed in the block....her ex rolled up in his SWB with a totaly stuff motor,so I picked that one up too and made one out of 2.I used the non turbo SWB block,which is out of a L300,and put all the turbo bits on,new pistons and every single bearing and seal,new ex valves,new everything,no stone unturned.I've spent a shit load on it now,more than it's worth,but I like it.

I like it for the same reason I like dualsport bikes - better visability and the ability to take on any road or weather condition in it's stride,dunno why I didn't get one earlier.I do a big commute now,1000km a week,and doing the Paj was a bit of pre planning,I had a suspicion I wasn't going to stay in Auckland,but still need to work here.I can live in this thing,survive a nuclear holocost,all it need is a beer cooler and I might just not go inside anymore.riding trials and I hope some trail rides I need to go on farms,up muddy cattle races and onto wet paddocks,no problems with the Pajero,I sometimes tow things bigger than my small trailer,and need to cart all sorts of crap inside,including my family - 7 can fit in,so the whole tribe can of 7 can go to the movies in one vehicle.I like my Pajero,just a bit shocked at how much it costs to run at the moment,so am using my Vanette for a little break.

My kids don't go to school - it has never gone to school,and my wife doesn't drive it.

**Lou Girardin** · 16th August 2005, 17:05

Originally Posted by Motu

.I like my Pajero,just a bit shocked at how much it costs to run at the moment,so am using my Vanette for a little break.
.

The great hope for civilisation as we know it, 4WD's getting too dear to run.

**Storm** · 16th August 2005, 17:52

So you're all for carless days then?

**Ixion** · 16th August 2005, 17:54

Originally Posted by Storm

So you're all for carless days then?

My memory must be going. Can anyone remember whether bikes were included in the carless day rules ? I think they were but I can't clearly remember

**Big Dave** · 16th August 2005, 17:54

Originally Posted by Storm

So you're all for carless days then?

I'm all for a carless WORLD.

**Motu** · 16th August 2005, 17:54

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

The great hope for civilisation as we know it, 4WD's getting too dear to run.

It's still cheaper to run than the wife's Diamante,for all it's weight and aerodynamic finesse it does 30mpg.That about .3 litres per minute....But my poor little diesel Vanette is possibly one of the cheapest to run 4 wheelers you can get,cheaper than the Nissan March my daugher just sold.Trouble is when I get home I have to roll out of the seat onto the cold wet ground,then gradualy straighten up as my muscles release from the cramp,my arse has blisters and my hearing may never return....