Higher taxes and exclusion zones.4x4's, large and cumbersome, a myth

Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 18:54
ThreadID: 55299 Views:2023 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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I just did a quick comparison of two other fairly normal vehicles we all see on the road every day and probably take little notice of. I did a dimension comparison of a GU Patrol, new Statesman and a VW kombi / Transporter Van thingo.
Gu Patrol Width 1940 mm.length 5050 mm.Height 1855 mm
VWTransporter.Width 1904 mm.length 5290 mm.Height 1990 mm
GM Statesman. Width 1899 mm.length 5160 mm.Height 1480 mm
Wheel base of the GU is 2970mm
Wheelbase of the VW Van is 3400mm
Wheelbase of the Statesman is 3000mm..
So the GU Patrol is half a cigarette packet wider than the statesman at 41 mm but is significantly shorter than the other vehicles. If we take the DX Patrol without the plastic wheel flares, it would be considerably less than both the Statesman and the VW Transporter. Height shouldn't matter as it has no bearing on traffic flow or crowding, so what's the beef?? I think the people perpetuating this rubbish should pull their head out and have a look around.. Four wheel drives are no bigger than the average vehicle on the road.. Should Statesman's and and those bloody nuisance white vans be excluded from cities also? What about stretch Limo's?? There is a feeling among some four wheel drivers that most people don't want to actually drive a 4x4 but don't want others to enjoy their benefits.. I think they might be on the money... Michael
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Reply By: Member - Stuart W (NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:07

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:07
I think you're dead right Michael. What annoys me is the fuel use / carbon footprint argument. Sure my hilux is a heavy vehicle but a 3.0 litre turbo diesel engine will be far more fuel friendly than the latest 6 litre commodore.
Stuart.
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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:14

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:14
Yep!! My 4.2TDI Patrol gets about 11litres per !00Ks, about 26mpg. I bet the big Commodores dont do that well, regardless of what the fuel stats say!! Its just boring littlle people sitting in their boring little homes, trying to stop the rest of us getting out to enjoy the greatest country on earth. Sounds dramatic but I think its true. Michael
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:19

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:19
Driven sensibly, the V8 Commodores can do 9 litres per 100ks, or used to :)))

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Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:30

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:30
Well, Holden claim 14.4 l/100 for a manual V8. That's nearly up there with my 80 series and a fair bit more thirsty than a 3.0litre diesel 4WD.
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:03

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:03
\
Hahahahaha used to get 9l/100k with auto V8 on country runs.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stuart W (NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:07

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:07
Driven "sensibly" most engines will get good economy.Point is do you buy a car with a huge engine,low ground clearance and a sporty image to drive sensibly. Stuart
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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:10

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:10
Al, I bought a brand new Statesman SLE in 1980, hooked up my New Jayco Dove and drove to Surfers Paradise. I got 6.6 MPG.. I bought the emmisions book from Holden in Surfers and moved the ported vacuum advance to full vac advance and got 12 MPG back to Sydney.. Boy i was happy!! Thank god fuel was cheap then... about 22 cents per litre.. Michael
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 21:08

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 21:08
Stuart,

Agree, but sometimes you have to be sensible and refrain from hooning, so to speak :)))


Michael,

That was because it was a downhill run back to Sydney hahahahaha

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Reply By: Member - Tony W (VIC) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:26

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 19:26
What about a Ford Territory 2WD verses AWD
Same for Hilux 4x2 verses 4x4 ( and triton etc)

Where is the line. Do you put a Landcruiser in the same category as a Suzi or Subaru?

I hate this media whip up, polilitical correctness crap.

Unfortunately the green leftwing groups are much more organized than we as a group are. Don;t get me wrong, I consider myself a conservationist as I am sure 95%+ of this forum's members would. It is just that we don't see the environment issues as a job, or a way to get our 5 mins of fame.
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:33

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 20:33
This whole 4WD beatup is purely emotional claptrap - trying to argue based on logic is totally pointless.
AnswerID: 291469

Reply By: Member - Luke (SA) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 22:28

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 22:28
Does this mean my Patrol should be cheaper than yours to register (DX model no flares) :)

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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 22:30

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 22:30
You wish!!
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