Anyone here drive a 4x4

LightningBoy · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:16 pm**

Well, I drive a tiny little 4x4, what does that say about me?

Except mine is red.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

It says that you're a person who prepares for all eventualities, namely what would happen if a gorilla or grizzly suddenly stepped in front of your car. In a Ferrari, there's a good chance you'd be crushed. In a 4x4, there's a good chance that the gorilla or the grizzly will bear the brunt of the accident.

zero · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:23 pm**

That snow looks soooo beautiful. God I want to go snowboarding soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo badly!!!

madlilnerd · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:35 pm**

I can understand that you may need one if it snows a lot in your area.

And if you live in areas with bears or gorillas, it's likely that you'd need one due to the terrain; but you don't need one in a town or city.

zero · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:36 pm**

lol, gorillas? Aren't they only in like the forrests or rain forrests?

madlilnerd · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:42 pm**

Yeah, in the congo. And they won't jump out at you unless you threaten a male silverback's children. They are usually timid and are hard to spot. You will certainly never see one if you go charging about the congo jungle in a 4x4, destroying the beauty as you go.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

zero · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:50 pm**

Gorillaz are scarry. One time I was at the zoo and there was a silverback exhibit, and they had like clear plastic walls so you could see in as you walked by. On the side of it, they had like a little bench so you could sit and watch them, the bench was against the plastic. I sat down adn I was doing something and the damn groilla came running and started to pound on the plastic or glass or whatever right where I was, omg, and he was just looking at me.

madlilnerd · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:52 pm**

If I was in a manky american zoo, I'd be angry too.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

I wonder what it was like for the first human who encountered a gorilla. Let's face it, people judge by appearance so I'm sure the first people to lay eyes on gorillas probably went back home with ridiculous tales of "flesh-eating creatures who want to kill you" when gorillas are actually shy and peaceful (under certain circumstances, of course).

Anyone seen the movie "Gorillas in the Mist"?

madlilnerd · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:55 pm**

Yes, but this has absolutely nothing to do with 4x4s.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

Oh but it does. Because 4x4s are an important defence against potentially grumpy gorillas in the forests.

Theresa · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 6:59 pm**

Deer and moose do a lot of damage, too.

zero · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:01 pm**

^Oh yes they do! I know first hand!

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

I can imagine, Theresa. That's why if I was a driver and lived in an area where there are likely to be wild animals crossing, I would choose my car carefully. Deer and moose may not be as big as a bear but I am sure they could still cause major damage.

Theresa · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:11 pm**

Have you ever seen a full grown bull moose? HUGE.

We got one in a Plymouth Reliant, it walked out in front of us on the interstate. Car was history. Had a deer seriously screw up the Saturn last year.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

To be honest, yes I have (in a zoo I think) and it was quite intimidating. I'd hate to see one out in the wild.

I knew somebody who had an encounter with a horse and he was lucky to escape unscathed. Cars are so delicate when you think about it, aren't they?

Theresa · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:17 pm**

Yup. About 3-4 miles to the west of us, there's a horse farm, again, near the highway. One night, a horse jumped the fence. Everyone in the car died. It was pretty brutal, blood all over.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

That's terrible. After posting this topic, I'm wondering whether those who live in areas populated by roaming animals actually choose a car that will offer them protection if the worst happens.

zero · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:23 pm**

I think they should have more signs up in areas like that.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

Here in England, they do. Here's one of them:

The United States is much bigger, though and has far more animals that you would designate as being wild, so I hope they have signs.

Damn, I meant to go to bed now, but I'll have to stay up an extra ten minutes to satisfy my curiosity and search Google Images for American road signs.

Theresa · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:29 pm**

In Maine, there are moose and deer crossing signs everywhere.

zero · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:30 pm**

oh wow, I forgot you were from Maine!

That's good. Moos's are huge! omg, so scarry.

Theresa · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:39 pm**

Theresa · **Fri Jun 17, 2005 7:44 pm**

Then we have roads like this...