What Does A 4X4 mean To You??????????

Its not a trick question, just something for us all to peruse over the Christmas period.

For me its a necessity as i have a disabled other half to transport, she is unable to get into a car so its a people carrier or 4X4. It gives us the opportunity to live life by getting her to places she thought she would never see, and in reasonable comfort. It is a serious load lugger for family life and copes with the task very well and has 7 seats for times such as Christmas where it acts as a taxi for the drinkers.

It is a fun vehicle, a vehicle which gives us excitement when we seriously off road, and has regularly beaten more off road orientated vehicles which are extensively modified, and when they laugh at me tackling terrain they have tackled and failed to conquer, they stop laughing when i pass through such terrain and give them the two finger wave if they are the offensive types.

It gives me the opportunity to meet many nice individuals on sites such as this, a site which focuses more on the off roading element rather than which marque of vehicle people choose, but still allows us to have some banter and laughs without offense being given, or taken. It also gives me and others to pass on experience of 4X4's, whether this is modifying them or simply driving them, or looking for kit to purchase for a purpose rather than just useless bling which so many adore.

It means a lot really, it takes me to work everyday, does greenlaning, did a 4x4 challengeish in march, took the family to Ireland camping, helpful carrying large loads, got us all safely through the Snow and floods in the past, and hopefully take us for a trip round Europe next year.

Also it is nice to drive a vehicle that is slightly different to the norm and people grow to appreciate as it gets over various obstacles and the realise what a good all round 4x4 it is.

4x4 basicly has become a way of life. Large parts of my spare time go in the vehicle. Vacations are planned in such a way the vehicle is needed. Most of my friends own a 4x4 too. It definitly is a virus, past it through to my son.

Well I got into this by accident - yes, really...

I wanted an estate car. Iwanted a "van type" driving position. I did NOT have 30K tp spend.
So I purchased a Dahiatsu Terios brand new in '08. And of course it just happens to be permanent 4WD,hehe.

I quickly discovered that it was capable of a lot more than expected. Then I saw the top gear video of PM Clarkson trying to wreck one. So I joined fourwheeldriveclub and went out on a green laning day. I caught the bug.

Now she (yes, SHE) regularly goes out laning, to places like Salisbury Plain, and recently as a leader for 4 days laning & camping around north/mid Wales. She just about coped with Happy Valley and when it came to the Axle twister at Nant y Moch.........
well I went through it, then I REVERSED back through it so I could do it again while it was videoed! That surprised everyone.

While I have fiddled about with her a bit, she has no "proper mods". The suspension is standard and the tow hitch works really well as a plough.

She is a keeper. I amNOT getting rid of her - unless for another 4x4

Good club that one - Four Wheel Drive Club.

As it happens I shall definitely get 'er indoors a Terios one day, although it will probably be the older model as your shape Terios still commands high prices.

What does a 4x4 mean to me? Everything ... seriously! Work/play, I live 4x4, and been to some far off foreign lands because of them. Well, beats a real job!

Over the Christmas period I went to the local Garage to top up with diesel. It began as a Shell station less than a year ago. In recent times one of the NZ companies bought out the Shell franchise and of course went through the usual signage change and promises of a forecourt attendant being available to be of assistance. Personally I care to look after myself when fueling any of my vehicles. No offense meant.

Returning to the issue, when I walked back to the 90 I paused and checked out the other vehicles parked at the pumps. Of course I am biased but looking at the line up the 90 looked huge sat up on the mud tyres, appearing to want to tell one of all the fascinating places it had travelled. ( A sort of Police phone box ) For that brief moment snippets of wonderful memories were relived. Those made before my ownership I will never know about, but it adds to the mystic of a 4x4. Years ago I had a Subaru Legacy, but like many a tin top, never generated the same feelings.

As I got back to the 90 a deep growl emanated from the V8 Ford Falcon at the adjacent pump. Beautiful sound. They say a bloke should own or drive a V8 at least once in his life. I knew that should I be going in the same direction the Ford would get there way before me. The ride would be comfortable and the joy during that drive would be throaty and tingling for the driver. Meanwhile I climbed up into the 90, as opposed to sitting down in the Ford, and the magic began. As usual it took 2 goes to properly shut the door ( blasted seat belt guide ) before I turned the key to fire up the LD28 under the bonnet. Six cylinders have their own sweet sound. With a smile on my face I clipped her into first and pulled out of the forecourt, attracting a few glances from some of the patrons. I am not being a snob but with most 4x4s the seating is higher so one tends to look down at other cars. Different when a lorry comes alongside! :shock: Equally one can see over some of the hedgerows from up there.

Once on the main road the sound and motion puts me in the mood, as does the louder than normal stereo. The smile then broadens when one pleasing thought comes to mind. The 90 might be the tortoise but there is a good chance that if the opportunity arises it will be able to go beyond the point the Ford can no longer venture. Not only can the 90 be my daily drive; it has been my release from the droll to the thrill of being alive and able to enjoy the world beyond the end of the tarmac.

That is what a 4x4 means to me..... and I salute all those who have chosen to share and enjoy their life with a 4x4......What ever the Marque

Vicar

Nicely put Vicar...
I came upon a phrase recently, can't remember where- tallking about driving the green lanes etc and was described as "the ultimate joy ride".
Couldn't put it any better myself.

It means alot.

I love the sound of a diesel engine, and driving for me is a hobby. I often have as much fun travelling to a place as the intended destination its self. The driving position is good, with a clear view over the roads and traffic.
The ability to drive to the top of a very wet field past the thousands of people carriers and vans to get the perfect camping spot, something that non-4wd vehicles can not do is a boon.

It opens up so many possibility's, load carrying capacity and the ability to tow trailers, boats and caravans make it an Ideal work horse and almost like extension of the family when your off out and about.

While growing (0-15) up my dad owned 2 Shoguns, both were used mainly for towing and touring. If the vehicle had of been a van or a people carrier, to me it would have been alot less interesting.

When people go out to buy a 4x4 and only look at the off road applications I tend to think that its abit rash. 4x4's are so much more, offering high levels of comfort, traction and build quality that is suitable for everything. Some do things better than the other and the vast choices of vehicles and bolt on bits also makes owning a 4x4 exciting.

"Terracan All the Way"

Some very interesting responses to the question, and some heartfelt comments, basically i would suggest the commonality is that it gives us all freedom in some shape or form, a freedom not shared by those without a 4X4.

Incidentally, Guy Richie the famous film producer is also a keen off roader and loves winching out stuck vehicles, so we have a few famous people among us.

For me...my 4x4 means I can randomly head off to some lanes if I want...whatever the time of day/night, throw some clothes into my bag and off I go. Did that recently in the Peak District when I wanted some "me time" and it worked a treat

For me it is an adventure enabler and something to look forward to take my mind of the sometimes mind numbingly days of routine and norm.