Driving me crazy

[Bobby Dazzler]

Anyone watch Driving Me Crazy (with John Sergeant) this evening?

I found it quite interesting, albeit covering the same arguments that have been put forward many times before - on TV, in the press, and in threads in this forum.

It was a very one sided though with lots and lots of Sargeants own opinion over-shaddowing otherwise powerful points. His closing statement says it all: "I'm not biased, I just think they're horrible.".

Unfortunate as for some people this approach - and the reporter himself - will have had a detrimental effect, possibly taking the argument two steps backwards, for every potential step forwards.

I think offering balanced arguments and facts might have been a successful way of influencing the purchasing decisions of the car driving public.

This thread isn't intended to re-open the debate of for/against SUVs, simply my observation on the way that the programme was delivered.

Anyone else see it?

Driving me crazy? The only thing driving me crazy over the last hour or so was John Sargeant!! He really is a seriously irritating chap!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sorry I started typing ages ago, and notice somebody beat me to it. My comments still apply though.

See here: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=37006

 

[Andy W]

I saw it, if they want to persuade me and loan me a mini for a month I can guarantee it will either get destroyed or abondened in a muddy field, as I use my car for shooting trips carrying up to 4 adults, 4 guns, 4 holdalls, 4 waterproof coats, 4 pairs boots and cartridges, what else could I fit all that gear in and not get stuck in a field, some of the shoots I attend particularly over the winter ............. I can justify the use of mine.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ironically I would find it harder to justify my compact family saloon than my gas guzzling off-roader!!

We chose the ML based upon both needs and wants. I bought the C32 purely based upon wants!!

I am very seriously considering trying to find an environmentally friendly, fuel efficient, and cost effective city car though for when it's just me.

 

[Dieselman]

Ironically I would find it harder to justify my compact family saloon than my gas guzzling off-roader!!

We chose the ML based upon both needs and wants. I bought the C32 purely based upon wants!!

I am very seriously considering trying to find an environmentally friendly, fuel efficient, and cost effective city car though for when it's just me.

Here you go...

can't wait for Gallery pics..

 

[recycled]

one sided rubbish.
Visibility test worse in a voyager /white van
side impact test. any car smashing into the side of another see what an s-class did to a punto in fifth gear from behind a couple of years ago?
If he really wants to stop co2. try one industry producing millions more than any 4wd can in its lifetime.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Here you go...

can't wait for Gallery pics..

I was thinking something more along the lines of:

because it would look really nice parked next to this:

 

[Dieselman]

Dazzler
The Orange one is really you..

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Dazzler
The Orange one is really you..

I would certainly live up to my name driving that bad boy!!

 

[SilverSaloon]

i belive this is on again next week and the focus is on older drivers (ie 80 year-old sunday drivers).....................

 

[chriswt]

When it comes to cars there are very few programs that get it right (even Top Gear!).

Arguements are always weak, whatever side they come from and research is always poor. May be they should employe a team of researchers that actually know something about the subject they are researching!

If the program was anti SUV then it missed two of the most important bits of information.

1. cost comparison of ownership of an SUV vs non-suv equivalent.

2. The actually crash test results of SUV's compared to the average new family car.

Moaning at people about their cars is pointless if you don't provide them with viable alternatives.

 

[Rose Chap]

All this anti 4x4 claptrap is thinly disguised class warfare anyway. For some reason people like John Sergeant don't have a problem with 'cheap' Toyota Rav 4s or those Honda ones, despite them being four wheel drive, and the main targets of hate seem to be expensive BMW X5s, Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benz MLs and Porsche Cayennes.

This is just about envy and punishing those perceived to be overtly wealthy.

Thinking about it I can see many parallels with Fox Hunting, but that's a topic for another thread.

 

[R2e]

I think the anti 4x4 thing is related to inappropriate use of the 4x4, ie the well known example of the school run. Yes it is no doubt class warfare, everything in this country seems to come down to that in the end (why are the English so hung up on class?) but unfortunately the fact that the 4x4 is used as a status symbol by the well heeled little lady for the school run and shopping only adds fuel to the fire.

However, is it anybodys' right, or the governments', to dictate to people how they will spend their money on which they've already paid tax? I don't believe so, and I think all the nonsense about increased parking and congestion charges for 4x4's in London is doubtless class warfare. Red Ken hasn't changed his spots that's for sure.

For nearly five years I drove a W210 and looking back I wouldn't need to take my socks and shoes off to count the number of times I had more than one person in the car. I'm sure this would be classed as inappropriate use and presumably anything larger than a Smart unnecessary. More for reasons of fuel consumption, petrol went up a great deal during my five years of ownership, and because it could be a big old beast to park, I decided to change to a C diesel. Further than this I was not prepared to go as I appreciate having the comfort, the performance, the toys and sufficient metal around me in the event of an accident.

Fox hunting squire? Naa, that's too political . Don't want to hurt the nice fluffy creatures now do we......................

 

[Andy W]

Fox hunting ......... ask my farmer mate what he thinks about them when they have killed all his chickens and game birds he has been rearing, what you need is a 12 bore, 3" magnum shells with No 2 shot, that will do nicely squire.

 

[fredfloggle]

Fox hunting ......... ask my farmer mate what he thinks about them when they have killed all his chickens and game birds he has been rearing, what you need is a 12 bore, 3" magnum shells with No 2 shot, that will do nicely squire.

At close range yes , otherwise my 22-250 is the kiddy

 

[glojo]

I would love to have seen Mr sergeant reversing his own car into the side road. For the very first shot of him driving the 4x4 it didn't look like he was wearing a seat-belt? The camera cut, then showed him at a different angle where he could clearly be seen with the belt on.

I grinned when he drove the vehicle down a narrow road and an oncoming car driver gesticulated to-wards him. There he was in an unfamilar vehicle which was also LHD and the only reason why the driver allegedly had problems was because it was a 4x4! Surely jumping into a strange vehicle will take a short time to accurately assess size, and then having the steering wheel on the wrong side will only exacerbate that situation.

John

 

[Andy W]

At close range yes , otherwise my 22-250 is the kiddy

Or a .223, I dont have FAC only SG so a 3" magnum 42gm load is ok up to about 35 / 40 yards, some say 50gm after that you need FAC.

A customer of mine is a game keeper and he has FAC for the foxes etc, I must make time and go and shoot with him.