4WD really needed?

S

ssingh

New member
I live in Sacramento area and occasionally go to Lake Taheo/Reno during Winter to play some snow with my little one, so do u guys think I should be better off with a 4WD than the 2WD?

I've set my mind on a Salsa Red Limited v6 but don't wanna spend over $35 and I've noticed the 4WD adds about $2K to the overall price so I'm not sure whether the extra dough is worth it or not. BTW, I've never owned or driven a SUV or 4WD transmission before so I really don't have any idea of the benefits of a 4WD engine.

Any tips/suggestions will be highly appreciated!

SSingh

Oh, BTW, I might be purchasing one just before X-Mas so I'm really excited about this whole thing. I kinda visit my local dealership almost 3 times a week and 'test-drive' at least once a week with different salesmen:D!
 
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I've owned both a 2wd/4wd and an awd vehicles. I've never really owned ajust a 2wd vehicle before but my mom's v6 is switchable.

I personally love AWD. Its always on and never need to worry about it. Its never too late when you need it.

IMO, 4WD or AWD is completely worth it especially if your heading up to snow areas or if it snows in your area. If your spending that much already.. why not get it?

On the other hand.. people have been driving in snow with 2wd for... ever. People have managed but 4WD/AWD gives you the comfort and piece of mind that you have that added control there.

For resale value.. 4WD tends to hold a better resale value and will be easier to sell. If you're keeping this one for life... then that extra 2000 is completely worth it.

I personally have the AWD because I live in an area where it snows half the year.

Best of luck with your decision. You'd rather think.. "I wasted $2000 on 4WD" or "I wasted $35000 because I didn't get 4WD"

REMEMBER: 4WD and AWD are different.
 
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ssingh said:
I live in Sacramento area and occasionally go to Lake Taheo/Reno during Winter to play some snow with my little one, so do u guys think I should be better off with a 4WD than the 2WD?

I've set my mind on a Salsa Red Limited v6 but don't wanna spend over $35 and I've noticed the 4WD adds about $2K to the overall price so I'm not sure whether the extra dough is worth it or not. BTW, I've never owned or driven a SUV or 4WD transmission before so I really don't have any idea of the benefits of a 4WD engine.

Any tips/suggestions will be highly appreciated!

SSingh

Oh, BTW, I might be purchasing one just before X-Mas so I'm really excited about this whole thing. I kinda visit my local dealership almost 3 times a week and 'test-drive' at least once a week with different salesmen:D!
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Personally, I'd go with 4WD, but it's a bit of personal preference. If you don't go to Tahoe that often, you could always consider renting a 4Runner 4WD for the trips.
 
If you are buying rather than leasing I would go 4wd - it will be easier to sell and holds its value a little better than a 2wd - and with the V6 you can still use it in 2wd for better economy when you want to.
 
This has come up 3 or 4 times before on different threads. As a 2WD owner I might throw in a different perspective. One thing I first notice on my 4Runner is even in 2WD it still has skid plates, hooks galore underneath and the transmission and everything else is tucked out of the way to get good ground clearance. Right then I thought it is kind of a waste to make this vehicle 2WD.

I do like the idea that the V6 gives you the option to go with 4WD or 2WD. Lets face it, by going 2WD most of the time, you are saving wear and tear and gas, yet if you need it all you got to do is switch over. If I bought a new V6 model, I would get the 4WD model.
 
Another perspective. Anyone correct me if I am wrong. If you are going to be in the snow, 4WD is optimal. Also, if you go w/ 2WD the T4R will be rear wheel drive. THat is great for sports cars for accelaration. It is also ok for trucks when you have a load over the rear wheels. It is my understanding that rear wheel drive cars/trucks/suvs are much more difficult to control and much less capable in snowy conditions. I personally have seen trucks w/ no load and sports cars, all rear wheel, spin their wheels and loose traction going up 30 degree hills in the snow. Front wheel drive cars and 4WD trucks/suvs would scoot up this same hill w/ no problem. On any normal weather day you would laugh at the prospect of climbing this same incline.

So, in conclusion. 2WD front wheel drive not a huge problem in the snow. But 2WD and rear wheel drive, like the 4Runner, could be a significant problem in the snow.

To add perspective, I live in NC where when it snows, we do not have proper road clearing equipment and we are force to actually drive on snowy roads. In a state where they prepare for and expect snow and are constantly clearing/scraping the roads, your experience may vary.

Just my 2 cents.
 
ssingh said:
I live in Sacramento area and occasionally go to Lake Taheo/Reno during Winter to play some snow with my little one, so do u guys think I should be better off with a 4WD than the 2WD?
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Yes.
 
I think you should go with the 4WD. It is definitely worth the extra money. I even got the V8 so I would have full-time 4WD. I know I may sound crazy, but I feel more secure with full time 4WD.
 
I'm a 2WD owner with a similar situation as you..........and my opinion is go for the 4WD.........wish I had.
 
Is 4wd really necessary for most individuals? prob not. So then why get it anyway? welp, some think that higher resale value when they either trade in or sell helps them to get it. Others live in rural terrain that requires them. Some even just have it for those safety times when they wish they had 4wd. The last of the bunch just likes to have it all (hehe)

But the reality of it is, how often do one actually use their 4wd? If you don't live in the environment, highly unlikely. Especially if the weather doesn't change often and doesn't require 4wd, it really becomes useless to some respect. Yeah, there are those crazy offroaders but those are rare by the percentages.

There are all of these what if's situation but in reality who cares. Just get what you want and if you feel that 2wd is more than enough then more power to you. I've seen some 2wd do some amazing stuff on some difficult terrain so it's all in the drivers skill. Lets not forget that ok?

I am glad that you've been test driving like crazy and do sincerely hope you get a 4runner :) (personal bias just like everyone else here). Just get what you can afford and what you can use to the fullest. If nothing else, enjoy the ride it's really nice! O yeah one last thing... you can always use chains in the mountains so do think about that too!

Personally, if ya got the funds, just get the good stuff ;) Just makes it that much better I think cuz I love gadgets! hehe.

Good luck and do post up photos if you get your red 4runner (i think those are sweet!)
 
Let me put it this way. I have heard a number of people with 2WD say they wish they had 4wd. I have yet to hear anybody with 4wd say they wish they had 2wd. Add the resale value and there ya go.

To give you a slightly different example. The 91-97 Land Cruisers came with diff locks as an option (yes they are all 4wd). Today a LC with diff locks will easily get 3k more resale and sell a lot quicker than those without.
 
Good Times said:
.......The last of the bunch just likes to have it all (hehe)........ you can always use chains in the mountains so do think about that too!
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You talkin to me punk? Well, you're right about me liking to have it all!


I should be able to get by with chains.........especially since a really cool local member is going to hook me up with a sweet deal on his chains. :bowdown: I just need to find a weekend that I have a spare moment to give him a ring.
 
if u don't plan to go off roading or live in the ice belt, then 2wd will do just fine. the extra transfer case & axle will add nearly 300 lbs to the vehicle, affecting handling dynamics & fuel efficiency. even if u had 4wd, are stuck on iced road, u may still not be going anywhere due to all the stuck 2wd vehicles :D

dat said, I wish I would have gotten 4wd :p my next truck will be 4x4.
 
I'm also a 2wd member and wished I'd gotten 4wd. Listen to everybody and spend a few more bucks fo rthe 4wd.
 
I say if you live near snow or plan to go offroading then get a 4wd. If you are just driving locally, 2wd can handle anything that is thrown at it...
 
Go 4x4/AWD

I live north east of you in Auburn and HWY 80 and Hwy 50 to Reno and Tahoe can be very treacherous in winter. Just driving up in 2WD and getting stopped at chain control is such a pain in the behind. Now you've got to pull over and chain up or pull over to pay the chain monkeys to chain up for you. Having chains is not the same as driving 4x4/AWD. You are limited to how fast you can go---25 or no more than 30 mph before th chains thump and whip your wheel wells to death. Having chains on the back drive wheels only get you going forward but does little to keep you going in the right directio nas the front wheels to not drive and pull you along. Your front wheels then becomes a nice snow plow pushing over lumps and bumps in the snow. While you're chaining up in the freezing cold, tearing up your numb fingers trying to get the chains around the tire nad pulling on those rubber snubbers till your thumgs are red and in pain, everyone else in the 4x4/AWD are being waved by. The kids are crying, the spouse is nagging "you should have bought the 4x4" as you get back in to start hte car and put into gear once more to inch forward 5 more inches so the chains can come around and up to where the hooks can connect. Damn those rubber snubbers.

Now that you got them on, you can get back on the road. WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK........

Now you get to a nice snow free spot...do you pull over to ge the chains off or not????? YO ucan't drive any faster on dry ground as the chains will whack your wheel wells to death.....

BIG WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK ....Dang nab it. You pull over and see tha one of the chains are broken and the loose chains have left big whip marks around your fender and paint is gouged.

Now you get to the ski resorts........have fun....

Remember that last big storm over the Sierras? Reno closed their airport for days.....cars just slushed by. Those with chains crawled while 4x4/AWD went right by....

Or the other scenario is that you forgot the chains becasue it was such a beautiful day....and you got to Northstar or Boreal jsut in time for a great weekend...then the famous winter weather comes in chain control is up and you cannot get back down the hill.....everyone else with 4x4/AWD gets waved by as they go right passed you......then you slip and slide to the local ski shop where they sell chains.....at very high prices.......well cheaper than overnight at one of Truckee's B&B's........

Go for the 4x4/AWD.....better to have and not need than to need and not have....
 
ssingh said:
I live in Sacramento area and occasionally go to Lake Taheo/Reno during Winter to play some snow with my little one, so do u guys think I should be better off with a 4WD than the 2WD?

I've set my mind on a Salsa Red Limited v6 but don't wanna spend over $35 and I've noticed the 4WD adds about $2K to the overall price so I'm not sure whether the extra dough is worth it or not. BTW, I've never owned or driven a SUV or 4WD transmission before so I really don't have any idea of the benefits of a 4WD engine.

Any tips/suggestions will be highly appreciated!

SSingh

Oh, BTW, I might be purchasing one just before X-Mas so I'm really excited about this whole thing. I kinda visit my local dealership almost 3 times a week and 'test-drive' at least once a week with different salesmen:D!
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I go up to reno from the bay area few times a year. it's sad to see all the people pulled over to the side of I-80 trying to put on chains in a foot of snow. most can't even get the chain under their tires without carrying a shovel. just get the 4wd and be done with it. from what i heard you say, there's a big chance that you'll regret not getting it and not much of a chance you'll regret getting it. plus you live soooo close to the Rubicon trail!!
 
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