Ammo in the SUV war - From NZ researchers

[kro]

Most types of vehicles have nae-sayers dogging their every move, whether it's bikes being unsafe, or trucks being to big, or diesels being too smoky.

Whilst I don't agree with Finns comments regarding who can and cannot afford the vehicles, I do agree that people should stop whining about them, as they really are no different than a van, and like any vehicle, they carry a certain responsibility to make sure they are operated properly.

[Motu]

My latest dent was caused by a strut we were compressing,the spring flew out of the strut compressor,ricocheted of the press and slamed into the Pajero - the rear pillar has a couple of big dents where the spring hit it,not even scratching the paint.There were a couple of flash cars in the shop that day,an Alfa 156 was right behind me...so lucky the Pajero was parked in the right place.Some people might get upset with a dent in their car,but that's the whole point of owning vehicles like this,nothing matters...their value cannot be devalued anymore.

I'm driving the Lada 2104 today - this causes even more concern for other road users than the Pajero.That's their problem,not mine.

[Fatjim]

Are the old auto Pajies worth getting?

[thehollowmen]

Hey, I'm not dissing if you use it. And yes I can afford one, but then again I'm a city rat who wouldn't use it.

My folks have got one and it makes going over the gravel roads on the ranges to their house a hell of a lot easier. Spottlighting possums from them is fantastic too.

The ones people get for "show" or "safety" that haven't even seen a gravel road ... they're usually owned by the most dangerous of the drivers. The inattentive ones who talk on cellphones, use PDAs, or read magazines while driving.

Again I say "up the bar on the driving tests or restrict the power / size of those who haven't had proper training"

You whiney little fuckin peasants. Upset because you can't afford one? Poor, poor people. Why can't you just shut the fuck up and be content with your own little lives.

I got a SUV to tow my 2300kg boat and dirt bike trailer...

And like any vehicle, they carry a certain responsibility to make sure they are operated properly.

Bling for that right there.

[thehollowmen]

Bling for this point, a good arguement.

I agree with the arugement about the 4WD clubs, but it also could work the other way if you start talking about training. Trails riders could probably cope with rough ground better than most 4WD drivers, but we can't limit the sample size like that.

Some people use them to their full and take the correct training and awareness, but as a whole they're 55% more likely to not be paying attention on the wellington motorway.

I don't say "outlaw SUVs" but if you know anybody they is being a bit of a tard with one, give them a nudge and tell them they're giving NZ and SUVs a bad name in international press. Make them become better drivers.

That attitude gives me the heebie jeebies. It's used to justify the lack of support for advanced driver/rider training. There are a lot of large SUV drivers who are active in 4wd clubs and can probably cope with dodgy road conditions a lot better than a bike can.

[Kickaha]

In fact, there is some evidence to support the belief that SUV drivers overestimate their driving ability and safety, and are more likely to perform high risk behaviours when driving."

And thats different from motorcyclists in what way?

[The Stranger:Me]

GF: "Hey big boy"

Wake up Finn.

Does it come with a nail box so you can reach the door handle?

[Edbear]

I'm driving the Lada 2104 today -.

It lives...?????

[Finn]

Wake up Finn.

Does it come with a nail box so you can reach the door handle?

She wasn't referring to my height. When girls see it, they go

[The Stranger:Me]

She wasn't referring to my height. When girls see it, they go

Well I guess it ties up with what Dover has been saying. Recons he's had a big prick on his back all week.

[Swoop]

"there is some evidence to support the belief that SUV drivers overestimate their driving ability"

The same quote can be used on every type of kiwi driver...

[terbang]

The word cockalorum springs to mind here..

[Motu]

It lives...?????

It does the job,but people want so much more than ''does the job'' these days.I treat my cars like my SK ratchet,it's over 30 years old and in my hand everyday,gets taken out and tossed in the draw without a thought or second look.Had some wimpy mechanic a couple of days ago say he couldn't get the bolts on a top inner suspension arm undone....needed a special tool.So I got my 30 year old (maybe the SK is 35 yrs old) Hazet short 3/4 ring spanner on the bolt and started slamming it with a club hammer.He was horrified and would never treat a quality tool like that.He'll never make a mechanic.....

[Edbear]

It does the job,but people want so much more than ''does the job'' these days.I treat my cars like my SK ratchet,it's over 30 years old and in my hand everyday,gets taken out and tossed in the draw without a thought or second look.Had some wimpy mechanic a couple of days ago say he couldn't get the bolts on a top inner suspension arm undone....needed a special tool.So I got my 30 year old (maybe the SK is 35 yrs old) Hazet short 3/4 ring spanner on the bolt and started slamming it with a club hammer.He was horrified and would never treat a quality tool like that.He'll never make a mechanic.....

Yeah, but SK doesn't seem to be as good these days. I've had youngsters hand me their 40 year-old SK-Wayne ratchets they inherited from their fathers and asked if they could be re-kitted. No problems and the kits seem just as they always have been. The sockets, though, seem to break too easily nowadays. UNfortunately their tools are way expensive these days compared with other brands and like Koken, I don't recommend them as a first choice.

Hazett is still as good as ever, German quality! But also quite expensive. I'll happily recommend Hazett, though it's not so easy to get hold of now.


Saw another Lada 2104 today, quietly rusting away... Personally I'll stick by our Pulsar. Absolutely reliable and bulletproof! And it has Air-con!

[Motu]

I won't buy Hazet again - they won't honour the lifetime warranty on my 1/2 ratchet,so fuckem.

I ripped all the air con out of my NX Coupe.....but the roof comes off....

The biggest worry people have these days is their no claim bonus.They really get upset if an uninsured car hits them.So driving around in a beat up wreck,and looking like one myself keeps everyone wary of me.....don't want to hit him,he won't pay for my repairs....