Ammo in the SUV war - From NZ researchers

**Edbear** · 27th January 2007, 20:12

Warranties are becoming more of an issue these days with more companies backing out. Koken is one of the worst, now and the main reason next to price that I don't recommend them. Quality is as good as ever though.

Best value for money now in my opinion is Genius. No questions over warranty and good quality gear. A Canadian company manufacturing in Taiwan since about '73.

Now be honest, Motu... how many accidents have you had in the past twenty years? Bet probably no more than I have, that's none! I think you're a bit too pessimistic.

**kro** · 27th January 2007, 20:26

Originally Posted by Motu

it's over 30 years old and in my hand everyday

This line could so easily be Dover talking about his penis.

**Ixion** · 27th January 2007, 20:37

Most useful tool in the mechanics toolbox, the BLOODY BIG HAMMER.

I wonder if it would be worth painting "I don't have insurance. Make my day." across the front of the Pajero ?

**Edbear** · 27th January 2007, 20:40

Originally Posted by Ixion

Most useful tool in the mechanics toolbox, the BLOODY BIG HAMMER.

I wonder if it would be worth painting "I don't have insurance. Make my day." across the front of the Pajero ?

I have seen the bumper sticker, "Go ahead, hit me! I need the money!"

**JimO** · 27th January 2007, 22:04

having had a pajero for several years several years ago i think a VX landcruser would be a better intimidator

**Ixion** · 27th January 2007, 22:40

Originally Posted by Motu

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.....

I inherited my King Dick socket set from my father, it most be at least 70 years old . Never had a ratchet (don't think they had them then) just a couple of tommy bars. But I've had a 3 foot length of steam pipe over the tommy bar, with a 10 ton hydraulic jack wedged between the end of the pipe and the chassis, and wacking the pipe with the BLOODY BIG HAMMER. Y' do what y' have to do to get the bastards off. Never broken anything, it's functionally as good as new. Still in service, they're working tools.

Got a couple of my grandfathers wooden planes, they still do a job of work if I MUST work wood. Don't believe in show pieces. Same with bikes, my old ones still do their spell of work.

(The pipe bent)

**Timber020** · 27th January 2007, 23:38

Originally Posted by Finn

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. I'm sorry but a MKIII Cortina just didn't cut the mustard. Also, I only consider the safety of me and my passengers on the road. Kiwi's can hardly chew gum and walk at the same time, so putting them behind the wheel of a car is just crazy. It's war out there so what ever you do, don't pull out in front of me, especially on a motorbike. I don't like wearing my brake pads down so you're likely to become a hood ornament.

And what happened to the macho image of the kiwi bloke? Big cars for cool toys.

Losers.

Dont worry Finn, Im sure the dodge will make you very happy and powerful and maybe for once in your life, dangerous to others.
You might have to go bigger than 2500, as this "peasants" 4WD's still bigger than yours (but not as pretty) , and we cant have the poor folk frightening you now can we?

Must be terrifying being you, everyone is against you, wants your stuff, all the poor people getting in your way. Calm down, its okay, nobody was picking on you by making a post on SUV's, you can get medication for paranoia you know.

Dodges are good trucks, it should serve you well.

**Phurrball** · 28th January 2007, 00:38

I think that THM is getting at the war of attrition based on vehicle size, not at those who need such a vehicle, who are surely in a small minority.

I don't think any right thinking person has an issue with those that use a vehicle's capabilities - the principle offenders being the 'soccer mom', school run type urban assault vehicles that are kept waxed, and have only ever seen the dust of a skifield access road.

Anyhoo - this has been addressed before, so I'll plagarise myself:

Originally Posted by Phurrball

An interesting piece of analysis on the issue is the book:

"High and Mighty: SUVs--The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way" by Keith Bradsher.

Written from the perspective of the American market and regulatory regime, but the safety aspects are applicable to NZ. The author is a motoring journalist and goes into detailed analysis of many aspects of the so-called 'SUVs'.

Motu inadvertently alludes to the 'arms race' on the road, where people in smaller vehicles can't see, and feel more vulnerable, and so change up to ever larger (often SUV) vehicles.

Trouble is that large 4WDs are heavy, and worst of all have bumpers [often bull-bars] and main vehicle mass above the door sill height of most cars. Super efficient at maximum intrusion into the passenger compartment and maximum occupant harm in a car v SUV collision. This has only come to the fore in the minds of manufacturers in very recent times, and a few have taken steps to minimise this issue.

The millions of 'SUVs' on the world's roads today will be there for some time posing this danger to other road users. The biggest problem in NZ seems to be that we are a dumping ground for Japan's unwanted 4WDs, which now fill our roads. [space constraints apparently ended the fad in Japan].

I appreciate that ground clearance and towing capacity are a necessity for some, but for most who just want 4WD grip 'when the going gets rough' [Read - ski field access road, minor snowfall, slightly dodgy gravel road] what's wrong with a 4WD CAR? All the grip of 4WD and none of the handling/safety disadvantages of a full sized ‘urban assault vehicle’. No need to have a vehicle with abilities that grossly exceed the tasks required of it is there? Shame the marketeers convinced us otherwise…

Yes Motu - I know we should ban sport bikes based on their excessive capabilities, and I do applaud you for giving karmic comeuppance to any moron who tries to muscle in front of your mighty Pajero. 4x4s have a place - and it's not as the trendy vehicle du jour in the city (unless incidentally).

**Clockwork** · 28th January 2007, 07:00

Originally Posted by gamgee

at least you're using it for something similar to it's purpose rather than just another soccer mum, which are the ones I (we?) hate

How the hell would you know WHAT people use their SUV for!!! Just because it does the school run mon-fri doesn’t mean its not pulling boats & trailers or down the beach at the weekend. Do you anti's think that they should have another car for school runs while the SUV sits on their drive the rest of the time. That doesn't sound very environmentally or economically friendly to me!

The "U" stands for utility, not unnecessary.

**Finn** · 28th January 2007, 07:42

The funniest thing about this research was that it was done in NZ by people like Phurball.

Stupid hippies.

**Finn** · 28th January 2007, 07:45

Originally Posted by Timber020

Dont worry Finn, Im sure the dodge will make you very happy and powerful

You forgot irresistible to woman.

**Finn** · 28th January 2007, 07:50

Originally Posted by Phurrball

4x4s have a place - and it's not as the trendy vehicle du jour in the city (unless incidentally).

Get off your soap box penus breath. Go get a job and a hair cut.

Loser.

**Coyote** · 28th January 2007, 07:52

Originally Posted by Finn

You forgot irresistible to woman.

You're a wanker, you'd love this

"Hey ladies, look how tiny my dick must be"

**Coyote** · 28th January 2007, 07:54

This is my type of SUV. Drive over cars in rush hour, park on top of children. It would be sweet. Plus it's a sports car so I'd know however fast I go around a corner it'll always stick to the road