Talking Points: Jet set and match

摘要

"Expensive, 'gas-guzzling' cars such as 4×4s are becoming socially unacceptable - unless you're a farmer." That's according to Which? Car which recommends its readers to downsize in order to save money in these straitened times. Even if we ignore the idiocy of some of the comments in the article (such as the claim that a Land Rover Discovery is "difficult to park"), Which? Car's editor Richard Headland misses two crucial points. First, owners are unlikely to save money by selling an existing car and buying a newer one, even if the newer and smaller car offers better fuel consumption. And, second, there are plenty of people who are not farmers but for whom a 4×4 is an eminently sensible choice of car -those who shoot or tow a boat, caravan or horsebox, for example. Or those who drive to ski resorts. Or those who live in rural areas where local authorities fail to maintain road surfaces. And even those - including town dwellers - with large families or who need to move large quantities of gear.