What's the point of 2WD?

[hyphen]

I'm of the school of thought, "Better to have and not need". But some people legitimately do not need 4x4. There are more complications with repairs down the line, insurance is higher and mileage is worse. I've been able to drive through torrential downpours on the east coast in a rental Nissan Versa just fine so, AWD is definitely not a necessity.

I've also had friends try to tell me what I want and need for various things. Sometimes I would listen and regret doing it later on. Best to let her choose her own vehicle.

 

[msp]

Most people don't need a 4x4, including me, even in Minneapolis. I just like having it the few weeks out of the year when it comes in handy. The LE is a nice rig, kind of a mini Land Cruiser for $30K less. If I were in the southeast and was never going off-road, a 4x2 is a logical choice.

 

[paulndot]

no offense to your friend but she should be looking at a different vehicle if she is even considering 2wd for a 4runner.

buying a 2wd 4runner is like wearing a raincoat in the shower.....what's the point?:noidea:

X's 2!!

Why not a Highlander? All things considered - towing capacity, space and mileage are on par with each other, and AWD for rain & snow when you need it on slick roads. Doesn't sound like your friend will be hitting the trails if she's even debating 4WD vs. 2WD. And…it's still a 'Yota.

 

[Dalko43]

...and I still love how folks in this forum think it's their place to tell others what they should drive when they're not the one paying for it...

Did the OP not create this post asking for feedback?

That's what we provided...this is pretty much how every internet forum works.

 

[LAB4US]

Did the OP not create this post asking for feedback?

That's what we provided...this is pretty much how every internet forum works.

Yep, he asked if he was missing something. The something would be that people like different things...but I do realize there will always be those that think they know what's best for other people...thanks for your insight! :hatsoff:

BTW, been on internet forums since days of dial-up (well, actually called newsgroups back then).

 

[Dalko43]

Yep, he asked if he was missing something. The something would be that people like different things...but I do realize there will always be those that think they know what's best for other people...thanks for your insight! :hatsoff:

BTW, been on internet forums since days of dial-up (well, actually called newsgroups back then).

Listen, I definitely understand the intent behind your original post....this is the internet and people are much more inclined to express their opinions.

I just think the whole "no one wants to hear your obnoxious opinion on an internet forum" argument gets a little old after a while...I and many others expressed opinions on this thread, you expressed an opinion in response...everything is as it should be in the universe of car forums....eace:

 

[LAB4US]

eace:

Love and Labrador Retrievers! Stay classy!

 

[LandCruiser]

She bought a white 4x4 Limited because she wants to take skiing in the winter.

I told her that driving to places like Colorado in winter is damn scary, but whatever.

 

[KingSuper]

2wd 4Runners are great vehicles. She will be fine with a 2wd, let her get it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

...and I still love how folks in this forum think it's their place to tell others what they should drive when they're not the one paying for it...

Some people don't really know what they want, we had a guy come in wanting to buy a Tacoma and somehow the salesman had him leaving in a Scion FRS.

I always ask people first what the vehicle is going to be used for, from there I can help them fill in the gaps such as style, ect. I have never found much use for a 4X2 BoF vehicle besides fleet/delivery work because these vehicle stand on their own against similarly sized and often better grocery getter CUVs.

 

[Boardmember]

Interesting points of view, none wrong but some not considering all the available information.

My wife traded in a '10 4X2 for a '15 4X2. She wanted a truck. That handles crappy roads. And is built like a tank (in Japan, no less). And we live where it snows a little every 5-7 years.

It's perfect actually.

 

[LandCruiser]

Some people don't really know what they want, we had a guy come in wanting to buy a Tacoma and somehow the salesman had him leaving in a Scion FRS.

I always ask people first what the vehicle is going to be used for, from there I can help them fill in the gaps such as style, ect. I have never found much use for a 4X2 BoF vehicle besides fleet/delivery work because these vehicle stand on their own against similarly sized and often better grocery getter CUVs.

Yes, but car dealers often will sell people what is on the LOT.

I walked into a sunny Florida dealership in 2013 and asked for a Trail.

I was immediately told that the Limited has 4x4 full time and is "exactly the same thing," mostly because they had a Limited on their lot and there were about a dozen TE's in the entire Southeast at that time.

...I probably would have gotten a good deal on an LE and after the lift would probably not have known any different--but still.

 

[MTwEeZi]

Some people like the truck look and feel but don't go off road. I guess you could call them posers if you want. Around 3/4 of 4Runners on the lots here are RWD. It's even harder finding a 4x4 used. Also see tons of Tacoma Prerunners, F150 FX2s, etc. IMO, it's their money and they can do whatever they want with it.

 

[RedSled]

Some people like the truck look and feel but don't go off road. I guess you could call them posers if you want. Around 3/4 of 4Runners on the lots here are RWD. It's even harder finding a 4x4 used. Also see tons of Tacoma Prerunners, F150 FX2s, etc. IMO, it's their money and they can do whatever they want with it.

Posers are the guys that have 4 wheel drive but never use it, or mall crawlers.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Currently have 2 4WD Runners. I'm no stranger to owning a 2WD 4Runner... nor am I stranger to people giving me shit for owning a 2WD 4Runner. One of my two 4WD's started life as a 2WD and it was a damn fine automobile (even better, now).

My woman has a 99 2WD 4Runner. I have all the parts for modifying it, and I know my way around it when it needs fixing. That's enough for me. My mother owns an 04 2WD 4Runner, she loves it.

There's definitely good use for them. You can whine and complain about all the differences, or that other vehicles are better at certain things, but it's our money and we'd rather own 2WD 4Runners than crossovers.

:thumb3:

 

[THEROK]

This female buying a 2wd 4Runner is akin to asking her plastic surgeon she wants breast augmentation going from an a cup to a b cup.

It's pointless. Get something else.

 

[RedSled]

This female buying a 2wd 4Runner is akin to asking her plastic surgeon she wants breast augmentation going from an a cup to a b cup.

It's pointless. Get something else.

opcorn:

 

[blizz86]

This female buying a 2wd 4Runner is akin to asking her plastic surgeon she wants breast augmentation going from an a cup to a b cup.

It's pointless. Get something else.

... i feel like someone wants bigger handfuls..

 

[bestcounsel]

I found that out the hard way....I'm really enjoying my 1995 4 runner 2 wheel drive....its fun for the beach and truck camping......but next round (I'm going 4x4 for sure......

In my opinion..its a marathon not a sprint

 

[Diezel]

buying a 2wd 4runner is like wearing a raincoat in the shower.....what's the point?:noidea:

Far, far too many people with a narrow minded opinion.

Some people just need a reliable mid size SUV to transport things, and will never require 4WD. You're almost as bad as the prople who gave me crap over my lifted pre-runner, which has seen more hell than most people with a 4WD rig will even think about doing.

Advise, as so I stay on topic. OP if your friend is concerned about MPG, she might want to consider a newer or smaller model, such as a newer gen Rav4