Really against the things, myself. Just think it's a case of going backwards. Mind, I suppose from the accountants viewpoint, why fit a spare tyre which no-one will know how to use, or what to do with? People don't think to do anything themselves, and don't want to, don't care, let someone else get mucky. That said, I'm one of them people that thinks that breakdown companies shouldn't attend a flat tyre - when there's a perfectly good spare in the boot - you know how to fit it, do it yourself! And let the breakdown companies get on with rescuing the people who have serious car/engine maladies, not 'run our of fuel/flat tyre/lost my car keys, oh, sorry, they're in the ignition, sorry Mr AA man' etc... I don't ring my house insurance if I run out of food in my own home!
Two things.
According to the manufacturers, there is no spare tyre to save weight, thus decreasing the exhaust emissions. Once one did it, the rest followed suit.
My wife wouldn't know how to change a spare wheel and I wouldn't want her to try. That's why we pay our subscription, you see. Plus, we are unlikely to break down because we have modern, reliable cars. I personally think anyone who drives an omega should pay a premium, because the patrolman is likely to be giving the kiss of life to some clapped out old barge when he could be changing her wheel.
Also, thinking about it, if I got a puncture in one of the offside wheels whilst driving on a motorway, I would call them out. I don't really want to be disembowelled on the hard shoulder by some pissed-up foreign truck driver who's having a wank while looking at his laptop.