I have been and sill am a bit of a landrover tragic.
A S11, two Ser3 in the past and currently I have a Td5 defender wagon that is awaiting repairs.
But not having a running 4x doesn't keep me fro getting out and about.
9 out of 10 Land Rovers ever made are still on the road.
The rest made it home.
Seriously though. I have been a 4wd nut ever since my family toured around Australia in 1978. I started buying my own 4wd magazines when other kids were buying comic books. When I left school I got an apprenticeship as a mechanic at a 4wd workshop and have specialized in 4wds ever since. I've belonged to 4wd clubs and have been very involved with the local 4wd community. A heap of my mates compete in winch challenge events and I help them out building their rigs and pit crewing for them. I am currently employed at a fabrication shop that builds work trucks for Ergon Energy, we build Nissan Patrols and Isuzu NPS 300 4wd trucks. I am planning on doing an advanced 4wd driver training course so that I can eventually become a 4wd driver training instructor (my mate runs the school).
I'm an old school 4wder. I drive a diesel, manual Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ105 GXL with solid axles front and rear, lift kit, mud tyres, etc. I personally don't like petrols, autos, IFS (or IRS), driver assist technologies, etc. I enjoy 4wding as an activity. But I also enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing, fishing, trail bike riding and last but not least bushcrafting. For me it is all about spending time in the bush. Even though I am a 4wd tragic when I am in the bush they are nothing more than a form of transport to get me into areas that a normal car can't get in to. There is a lot of areas that I go into that are definitely 4wd (or trail bike) only. It would be a LONG walk to get to the same areas if you went in by car and then walked the rest of the way.
I understand what you are saying Hairyman by driving by the good areas and not seeing them properly like you would if you were on foot. I mostly use my 4wd and trail bike to explore new areas and then plan to return at a later date for a hike or whatever. I have found a lot of good areas while out exploring in my 4wd. The problem is I find more areas to go back to than I have time to actually get to. At least I won't run out of ideas of places to go.
With my fourby I have been to the Simpson Desert, Flinders Ranges, Daintree, Fraser Island, Canarvon Gorge, Lake Eyre, Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track, Strezlecki Track, CREB Track, Bloomfield Track and many, many more places. I have been to Land Cruiser Mountain Park, Manar Park, and a couple of other smaller, private run 4wd parks. I also tow my boat, camper trailer, and other trailers so having a good towing capacity is important to me too.
Yeah I have a big 6cyl 4wd wagon but being diesel I get pretty reasonable fuel consumption for vehicle that size. The Cruiser wagon is actually shorter than a Commodore station wagon, its just taller and a little wider. Having the bullbar and rear bar allows you to judge exactly where the corners of the car is so I find it actually easier to park downtown than my Subaru wagon I also own. Out on the highway I prefer driving the Cruiser too. The longer wheelbase and bigger tyres and aftermarket suspension gives a smoother ride. The higher driving position allows better vision. The aux lighting makes night time driving safer and the bullbar they are mounted to provides a bit more insurance in case of animal strike. My Suby is a great little car but I hate driving it. I can't wait to get back into the Cruiser.
So, "Does one really need a 4x4"? Not really, they are a luxury but if you have the lifestyle to use one they are basically essential. I use mine quite regularly, whether it be driving out into the forestry after work so I can go trail running (a couple of days a week), towing my camper trailer to go camping with my family (going this weekend), taking the Scouts in my Troop to the start of a hike where a normal car can't get to (in a couple of weeks time), or taking my long service leave and touring Cape York, Gulf, Arnhem Land and the Kimberlies (next year). I can't imagine my life without 4wds but I understand how they may not be for everybody.
