My 4-1/2-year-old received this for his birthday last winter. He’s been driving it ever since. It seats two kids comfortably and has velcro seat belts. We know they work because our two boys have flipped this Jeep twice. Once on a moderately steep, grassy hill in our yard (flipped over backwards) and once driving over a mound of dirt in the street. After the first rollover we started to make them wear helmets on it all the time. We have learned that this toy really does require supervision and the establishment of safety rules with the kids. Of course, we don’t let our 2-year-old drive. He’s content with being a passenger for now.
The kids love riding around the driveway, street and yard with their friends (who also have a similar Jeep). This Jeep is running very well and looking good even after some collisions with the neighbor’s Jeep and even after our son learned to drive off the curb into the street.
I think this woman should have her head examined. She’s letting a 4 1/2 year old child drive a vehicle into the public street?? If this isn’t a disaster waiting to happen, I don’t know what is.
When I first saw this monstrosity I thought it must cost $700 at least. But after checking online I see that they you can get a Gaucho for the low, low price of $538 (plus sales tax and shipping). Think how many nice books, DVDs or other toys one could buy for one’s child with that $500. I know, parents with $500 to blow on a toy SUV don’t worry about saving their money.
All of this begs the question: what has gotten into the minds of the parents of these children? Why does any child need such a gargantuan toy? The thinking of these parents is reprehensible. They’re inaugurating their children into the great American marketing extravaganza. If they’re driving SUVs at 5, imagine what toys they’ll be playing with at 55? Yuck.
Yikes! Training the SUV drivers of tomorrow! Thanks for writing about this.
Get a grip. My thinking is not reprehensible
Dave neglects to point out that he must be the author of the Amazon review I quoted above. In answer to your complaint, all I can say is that any parent who allows their 4 1/2 yr. old to drive a toy SUV into the street is looking for trouble (I call that “reprehensible” but you can call it whatever you like). I just hope it doesn’t find you or your child.
As for spending whatever boatload of money this sucker cost, I can think of a lot of other things I’d buy my children before I’d get to this. You and I have profoundly different priorities for our children I’m afraid.
I didn’t write the review, nor do I work for the toy manufacturing. Apologies though. I’ve just reread your comments and I see that you are referring to the parents of children allowing the kids to ride unsupervised on the public streets as opposed to just out in their home area. I agree
I’m sorry if I came across too judgmentally. Clearly, each parent must decide what toys to give their children that are consonant with their own values. Mine preclue SUVs, since I think the actual vehicles are monster fossils that I hope will go the way of the dodo bird. In addition, I think the toys are huge consumer status symbols (“just look at the big shiny new toy I bought my child!”). I prefer simpler toys made well.
But some parents have different values than me. It’s their call.