I have a 4*4 and a normal car, I feel I am a far safer driver in the Jeep as I drive it more conservatively than the Volvo. I live in the middle of nowhere and the Jeep gives my girlfriend and I the reassurance of knowing we can get out when things get wet or snowy. BTW in snow lighter 4*4's a far better, the Subaru Legacy type of car off roader is way better than the classic Jeep, (when it comes to stopping). Next up I'll be getting a Subaru :-) On the environmental side of things, yes it burns more fuel but its 8 years old and has almost 200,000Km on the clock but the environmental impact of buying a new car and all the sourcing of material, paint etc must be far greater than keeping this things on the go. Maybe, I don't know..