What's the point of 2WD?

[Jernik]

Some people just need a reliable mid size SUV to transport things, and will never require 4WD.

I gotta play Devil's Advocate here and ask where are all these SUV's stuffed full of people's stuff they're hauling around? I never see it. In fact, I'd say at least 99% of people that buy a 2WD SUV would be just as well served with a nice sized sedan.

 

[Jernik]

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.

Good on you to not let them convince her on 2x4 when she's going to be doing stuff like this. The Limited will be perfect when she makes those trips! :thumb:

I've gone through too many winters with 2wd, and it can be done, but 4wd makes things so much better. Even though I'm south now, I still can't bring myself to not have 2 4x4 in the driveway (one for me, one for wife) in the event we need it (yeah, for the one ice/snow event we get every few years that only lasts 24 hours - I'm crazy, I know).

It works for us. To each their own I guess.

 

[Boardmember]

I can't recall how many 4R's I've owned. I have two now. All 2WD.

For anyone to give a crap about that, indicated in their assumptions that I should have a sedan or am a poser, causes me to have my own assumptions about them thinking that they are likely deficient in some ways that makes them have stupid opinions of others that aren't similarly deficient.

Cheers.

Let's see, my first 4R was a Forrest green 1994 2WD that was t-boned & totaled.
Of course that wouldn't probably have happened if it were 4WD I guess...

 

[Jernik]

A sedan or a mini van. Both will carry at least the same # of people as a 4Runner. Both will get better gas mileage than the 4Runner. And both (assuming front wheel drive) will handle inclement weather (short of deep flood waters) better than a 2wd 4Runner.

Just sayin' for arguments sake. :fear: But I wouldn't be caught dead in a mini van, and sedans are not my cup of tea either. If I'm getting a car it's gonna be a 2 door version with a big motor. And if I'm gonna be a poser in a BOF SUV, it's gonna be a 4x4! If you're gonna pose, at least do it rite! imp:

Maybe I'll post up some pics of my TE flexing on a curb at the mall later...

:cheers:

 

[Dalko43]

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

So you're criticizing me for questioning the utility/practicality of a 2wd 4runner and then recommend a smaller, more fuel-efficient crossover to the OP????

The hypocrisy there is so strong I can just about taste it.

 

[MSinDC]

I gotta play Devil's Advocate here and ask where are all these SUV's stuffed full of people's stuff they're hauling around? I never see it. In fact, I'd say at least 99% of people that buy a 2WD SUV would be just as well served with a nice sized sedan.

LOL so you're the guy in the parking lot looking into everyone's rides? Also got a laugh when you compared a 2WD 4runner to a "nice" sedan.

Love this thread - it's obviously too much for some of you to realize there are people out there that love the 4runner but have no need for 4WD.

 

[02SE]

Seriously, WGAF what anyone else drives?

A 2wd 4Runner would be pointless for me, since just about the only time I drive my 4Runner, is when it's snowing, or the occasional off-road trip.

I have other vehicles I'd rather use, when conditions permit. I frequently find people judging or making assumptions about me because of those other rides. If they don't like what I like, too bad.

I couldn't care less if someone wants a 2wd 4Runner. Buy it and use it in good health.

 

[Diezel]

So you're criticizing me
The hypocrisy there is so strong I can just about taste it.

Actually, your post that I quoted, was the most polite of those written.
I didn't think the one person who was drug across the coals over his really out of line post, needed to be quoted and drug over more coals.

However, since you took offense as well..... My apologies, there was no need for you to do so.

I never once said that a 2WD was useless. Everyone else did. I did say, that if MPG was a concern, a smaller SUV might be more applicable.

Seriously, WGAF what anyone else drives?

Pretty much. My advice was simply that there is more models to choose from than a 2WD or 4WD 4runner, if a mid size SUV was a requirement.

 

[Jernik]

LOL so you're the guy in the parking lot looking into everyone's rides? Also got a laugh when you compared a 2WD 4runner to a "nice" sedan.

Love this thread - it's obviously too much for some of you to realize there are people out there that love the 4runner but have no need for 4WD.

I think some of you are taking me way too seriously.

If it makes you feel better, I drive my 4R in 2wd most of the time. :hug:

 

[MSinDC]

I think some of you are taking me way too seriously.

Na I said I've been getting a laugh out of your posts didn't I?

If it makes you feel better, I drive my 4R in 2wd most of the time. :hug:

Me too!

 

[Jernik]

It's all good! :cheers:

 

[paperchasin]

So this is what I've gathered since joining T4r... If my runner isn't a V8 and isn't 4WD, then there was absolutely zero reason I should've bought a 4runner.

 

[RedSled]

So this is what I've gathered since joining T4r... If my runner isn't a V8 and isn't 4WD, then there was absolutely zero reason I should've bought a 4runner.

You made me LOL :flamewar: :boom:

 

[ccapman670]

I just bought a 2WD 2015 SR5 last Saturday. Despite reading all these comments I'm still happy I bought it. A lot of these comments are beyond just stating an opinion in favor of 4WD. Since so many of you can't comprehend the point of a 4Runner without 4WD, I'll share why I bought one.

I live in Louisiana where it doesn't snow, and my off roading consists of hopping curbs to make a parking spot. Not to mention 4WD around here is VERY hard to find, and I would have easily paid another 2 or 2.5k for it. It's a lot harder to negotiate a car down when the dealer has to order it.

To the guys saying why not get a sedan or CUV, I don't like driving low to the ground because where I live we get a decent amount of street flooding, and even worse flooding during hurricane season. Those CUV's don't have near the ground clearance my 2WD 4Runner has. I also need to be able to tow a trailer or small boat, and then there's the point that the 4Runner is just plain sexy.

And the people I consider posers aren't the ones who have 4WD and don't use it, but rather the ones who buy 2WD and plaster 4WD decals all over it.

Keep hating, I'll keep loving my little measly 2WD 4Runner.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[gwreynolds]

Well said ccapman. It's a great vehicle on or off road. I use mine as a work (private detective) vehicle along the gulf coast. Thinking of getting a new one (my 2WD 06 has 262k miles on it) but it just keeps running. I drive it like I stole it, but it won't quit.

 

[WODWorldWide]

I just bought a 2WD 2015 SR5 last Saturday. Despite reading all these comments I'm still happy I bought it. A lot of these comments are beyond just stating an opinion in favor of 4WD. Since so many of you can't comprehend the point of a 4Runner without 4WD, I'll share why I bought one.

I live in Louisiana where it doesn't snow, and my off roading consists of hopping curbs to make a parking spot. Not to mention 4WD around here is VERY hard to find, and I would have easily paid another 2 or 2.5k for it. It's a lot harder to negotiate a car down when the dealer has to order it.

To the guys saying why not get a sedan or CUV, I don't like driving low to the ground because where I live we get a decent amount of street flooding, and even worse flooding during hurricane season. Those CUV's don't have near the ground clearance my 2WD 4Runner has. I also need to be able to tow a trailer or small boat, and then there's the point that the 4Runner is just plain sexy.

And the people I consider posers aren't the ones who have 4WD and don't use it, but rather the ones who buy 2WD and plaster 4WD decals all over it.

Keep hating, I'll keep loving my little measly 2WD 4Runner.

Just my 2 cents.

That was definitely the reason I had a 2wd 4Runner in Georgia and when I moved to Colorado, I bought a 4WD. Different regions need different options. You can't find a 2wd 4Runner in Co but they were everywhere in GA. It's almost like Toyota knows their market.

 

[Jernik]

I don't get it. How can a 4Runner get anywhere without 4WD? It's impossible... I think ya'll are tellin' some tall tales with this 2WD stuff! :lol:

 

[ccapman670]

That was definitely the reason I had a 2wd 4Runner in Georgia and when I moved to Colorado, I bought a 4WD. Different regions need different options. You can't find a 2wd 4Runner in Co but they were everywhere in GA. It's almost like Toyota knows their market.

Yep I agree completely. I'm sure if I lived in CO or the north east I would have a 4WD too.

Down here this is my main concern (taken May 31st, after a day of heavy rain):

 

[ccapman670]

I don't get it. How can a 4Runner get anywhere without 4WD? It's impossible... I think ya'll are tellin' some tall tales with this 2WD stuff! :lol:

No idea, but I had a 4WD Jeep for 6 years and it couldn't get anywhere even with 4WD. I also actually took advantage of 4WD maybe once the whole time I had it. Only place it knew how to get to was the service department of the nearest dealership.

 

[Martinjmpr]

To me, 2wd 4runner = "Station Wagon." :bravo:






And there's nothing wrong with that. :shrug: I can understand the appeal of a relatively simple, rugged, truck-based BOF wagon. No transaxle to mess with, no CV joints to wear out, no pushbutton T-case or ADD to go wrong. What's not to like?

Minivans are butt-fugly so a 2wd 4runner as a station-wagon-in-all-but-name makes a lot of sense for someone who lives in the sun belt and doesn't go off road. Why haul all that extra weight and complexity around if you don't need it? My DD is a 2wd mini truck, I love the simplicity of it.