2wd am I crazy

[brianhuntRVA]

I’m considering purchasing a 2016 SR5 Premium but it is only 2wd. I haven’t gone off-road in years so it’s not really a concern to me. We get very little snow around here. I’m more concerned with reliability and transporting family and my mountain bike. But am I crazy? Will I be screwing myself over when I go to sell it in 5-10 years? Will I be losing a substantial percentage of potential buyers since it’s not 4wd?

 

[cb1111]

I’m considering purchasing a 2016 SR5 Premium but it is only 2wd. I haven’t gone off-road in years so it’s not really a concern to me. We get very little snow around here. I’m more concerned with reliability and transporting family and my mountain bike. But am I crazy? Will I be screwing myself over when I go to sell it in 5-10 years? Will I be losing a substantial percentage of potential buyers since it’s not 4wd?

In 5 or 10 years the resale value will still be decent.

If you're not going offroad, then 2wd will serve you well and you'll most likely be able to negotiate a far better deal.

 

[CF_Machete]

you'll be kicking yourself the few times you'll need it. Also, the stock tires are garbage and 4wd can help compensate. unless you're in a flat city with zero snow, I wouldn't pass up 4wd.

 

[rigtec]

I’m considering purchasing a 2016 SR5 Premium but it is only 2wd. I haven’t gone off-road in years so it’s not really a concern to me. We get very little snow around here. I’m more concerned with reliability and transporting family and my mountain bike. But am I crazy? Will I be screwing myself over when I go to sell it in 5-10 years? Will I be losing a substantial percentage of potential buyers since it’s not 4wd?

Hi brianhuntRVA,

If you keep it ten years, (IMHO) and got good use out of it, you won't be losing anything, lol! And if you're not in "Snow Country" like I am in NJ, then you may not need 4-wh-drive... perhaps just a rear locker or a LSD (Limited slip differential) for rare circumstances!

I drive a Gen-5 "Full time 4-wheel drive" LE, but there are times that I wish that I could disengage the 4 wheel for two wheel due to the MPG issue! I had a 3'rd Gen SR5 with part time 4 wheel drive, and there were advantages to 2-wd!

Fuel saving being the first benefit. But the other benefit was the absolute silence from the drive train that I miss with the LE! If you feel that you'll regret choosing a 2-wh drive after buying this one, then definately wait and buy what you really want!

That happened to me after getting the SR5! Once I saw my cousin's 3'rd gen LE, I wished I had done more research about the benefits of the LE: 'NO Comparison', but it was TOO LATE! That's why this time I insisted on getting a new LE, so no regrets! 'Best to you',

rig

 

[KuhDunkADunk]

My dad bought a 2006 2WD 4Runner that he still drives today. He's not kicking himself at all.. We've even taken it to ski trips and just brought chains with us (but never needed them). If you aren't off roading and you aren't living in snow country, you'll be fine. Just make sure it's a good deal, if not, stick with 4WD.

 

[Drobs]

I won't make that mistake again - buying a 2wd truck. Had a 2004 Nissan Frontier 2wd in Chicago. Horrible in the snow.

I go with the idea it's better to have and not need than need and not have. Plus I like to travel - see new things. Tons of places in the USA where you'll be glad you have 4x4.

 

[DavidR1]

Yes, you will be kicking yourself whenever we get some ice or snow in Richmond. Resale will be crap around here as well. I wouldn't even consider a 2WD.

Honestly if you have no intentions of going offroad then there are much better vehicles out there then a 4Runner.

 

[jhguth]

Absolutely crazy, if you don't need 4WD get a Highlander or almost anything else that is more comfortable and has more creature comforts standard.

If you want a 4Runner, get 4WD

(they shouldn't even make a 2WD version)

 

[billnourse]

There are tons of AWD SUV's that will do what you want with better mileage, better ride and more features than a 4 Runner if you don't need or will not use 4WD.

In my opinion the 4 Runner is a utilitarian vehicle built on a truck frame that is purpose built for going where the normal vehicle shouldn't. It is rougher, noisier, and does not handle as well as most SUV's out there. It does not have most of the options of other SUV's, and the price is just about the same. I don't understand why they even make it in 2WD.

For your purposes it sounds like the Highlander might fit the bill. My wife's get around 26 MPG on the highway (6 better than my 4 Runner), is much more comfortable, has more nice options, rides and handles better, has and just as much cargo space.

 

[4runnin4mylife]

There are tons of AWD SUV's that will do what you want with better mileage, better ride and more features than a 4 Runner if you don't need or will not use 4WD.

In my opinion the 4 Runner is a utilitarian vehicle built on a truck frame that is purpose built for going where the normal vehicle shouldn't. It is rougher, noisier, and does not handle as well as most SUV's out there. It does not have most of the options of other SUV's, and the price is just about the same. I don't understand why they even make it in 2WD.

For your purposes it sounds like the Highlander might fit the bill. My wife's get around 26 MPG on the highway (6 better than my 4 Runner), is much more comfortable, has more nice options, rides and handles better, has and just as much cargo space.

I agree with this statement 100%. If you go 4runner then go 4 wheel drive. If you decide that 2 wheel drive is fine, then there are a ton more options that ride better, handle better, more creature comforts, etc. My vote would be for the highlander if you went 2 wheel drive.

 

[tjnptel1]

Ditto to what everyone said here, if considering 2WD why not get the Highlander AWD? Also Richmond is not flat, when you do get that sleet, ice and snow, the 2WD 4Runner will be useless unless you are on blizzaks.

 

[IanB]

Echo chamber, if you aren't in need of 4x4, then get something that's better at not being a 4x4 than a 4Runner, there's lots of options.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts. I definitely do see what some of y’all are saying that maybe I would be better off with something like a Highlander. The look of those just doesn’t do much for me. I almost feel like at that point why not just get a mini van.

The 4runner is being sold by my boss. I wasn’t even looking for a new vehicle it just kind of caught my eye. If I could get it for a good deal, meaning considerably less that book value, would that change your thoughts?

 

[tjnptel1]

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts. I definitely do see what some of y’all are saying that maybe I would be better off with something like a Highlander. The look of those just doesn’t do much for me. I almost feel like at that point why not just get a mini van.

The 4runner is being sold by my boss. I wasn’t even looking for a new vehicle it just kind of caught my eye. If I could get it for a good deal, meaning considerably less that book value, would that change your thoughts?

yes. but highly depends on how much less, remember you will have just as hard time as your boss is having selling it if you do decide to sell it.

 

[IanB]

A 2wd 4Runner will get worse fuel economy than something like a Highlander/Outback/Pathfinder/MDX/etc. 4Runners are way behind on features as well compared to these other vehicles, I guess the best advice would be to drive it and see if you like it, and go from there.

 

[kilr0y]

I bought a 2016 SR5 2WD brand new and loved every day of it. Granted, I'm in Austin, TX, so no snow here, but I've taken it off-road, back country camping, etc... and found it to be surprisingly capable even without the 4WD. The increased ground clearance is awesome, the suspension is much better than you'll find in a highlander for these types of non-extreme adventures.

That said, I did kick myself for not getting a 4WD, and just traded it in for an 2019 Off Road, and it kept it's resale very nicely. Good Luck!

 

[cb1111]

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts. I definitely do see what some of y’all are saying that maybe I would be better off with something like a Highlander. The look of those just doesn’t do much for me. I almost feel like at that point why not just get a mini van.

The 4runner is being sold by my boss. I wasn’t even looking for a new vehicle it just kind of caught my eye. If I could get it for a good deal, meaning considerably less that book value, would that change your thoughts?

Yes it would. Buying anything from your boss is a very bad idea. You can't negotiate properly and somebody will always feel screwed - especially if something goes wrong.

 

[Pathfinder!]

There is a second reason to get a 4runner besides 4wd/off road and that is for dogs. It's the only car besides the Sequoia with the roll down rear window. And if you get it without a 3rd row seat it has a ton of height in the back for a large dog as the roof doesn't slope down like most modern vehicles.

 

[enyce]

Invest in snow tires when the time comes. i live in NYC and use 4x4 only when there is heavy snow situations. That's rarely... Good luck with the buy!

 

[NCArcher]

There are tons of AWD SUV's that will do what you want with better mileage, better ride and more features than a 4 Runner if you don't need or will not use 4WD.

In my opinion the 4 Runner is a utilitarian vehicle built on a truck frame that is purpose built for going where the normal vehicle shouldn't. It is rougher, noisier, and does not handle as well as most SUV's out there. It does not have most of the options of other SUV's, and the price is just about the same. I don't understand why they even make it in 2WD.

For your purposes it sounds like the Highlander might fit the bill. My wife's get around 26 MPG on the highway (6 better than my 4 Runner), is much more comfortable, has more nice options, rides and handles better, has and just as much cargo space.

All of this :tea: