4x4, how necessary is it?

I'd go with the 4wd peronally.

You can add on better headunit/speakers down the road for less than a factory JBL package.

All the other stuff in the tech package (sensors, dual climate, etc) are unnecessary if you pay attention to the road.

 

Yep, moral of the story is get the 4x4. You can debate whether or not you'll need that premium tech package but 4x4 on a Tacoma is a no-brainer.

 

Good lord. For 40k get a loaded full size with 4x4. You will get better MPG too

 

No, you won't get better MPG with the additional weight of a 4x4-equipped truck.

 

Under no circumstances would I ever settle for only 2WD in a pickup.

 

If I were you, I wouldnt buy one until their sort out their vibrations and howls.

 

It'll be close.

 

99% of the time you won't need it but that 1%...

In my 30 years of experience buying vehicles, I have come up with a few personal laws:

• I will never be without a truck again
• I will never buy another new vehicle
• I will never buy another 2WD vehicle

But that's just me.

 

Given your lack of experience with driving on sand, you'd be better off getting 4x4 anyway - if every time you've driven on it you've gotten stuck, all that tells me is you haven't learned how to do it. Truck isn't going to change that, neither will 4x4 for that matter - but it'll be an easier learning curve than a 4x2.

Don't blow your whole wad on a truck, you'll want to buy some type of recovery gear and an air compressor since you'll likely need both the first time you hit the sand.

 

I think he was emphasizing full size truck. For $40k you price yourself into the full size market and then you could get an f150 ecoboost engine that gets 23mpg.

 

Beat me to it. That, and "buy once cry once" are great things to live by to save yourself many headaches and a lot of time

 

You don't need it until you need it... And when you need it... You REALLY need it. I will never own a 2WD truck.

 

I use 4wd at least once per week.

 

After a trip to Pismo, you want 4x4. 2x4 is great, as long as you're moving quickly. The minute you stop or slow down to turn or turn sharply you're done.

 

Don't let folks talk you into something you might not need. Buy what fits your budget and your daily uses. Do not buy for the "1% what if" situation. A well driven well equipped Prerunner is very capable, all you have to do is look around at some of the Prerunner trucks on here and see what they have done.

You know what you will be using the truck for, so buy accordingly. A lot of the folks saying "I would never buy a 2wd truck ever again" are people who live in the mountains where 4wd is mostly a necessity and the other ones are people who believe it ain't a truck unless it's 4wd.

I have always bought 4wd trucks until I bought my 2015 PreRunner. As I've gotten older I've realized I only engaged 4wd a handful of times and that was just to make sure it worked. My needs are mainly pavement but occasionally when we go camping or off-roading I go to places where I know my truck is capable of handling it.

Tl/dr only buy what you can afford and need, don't let someone talk you into something you don't need or can't afford

 

All my buddies who bought 2WD to "save on insurance" are seriously regretting it now... Having to put on chains in the snow, resale value is not nearly as high, etc. Just get 4x4, your manhood will thank you.

 

I guess I'm not a man for owning a PreRunner

 

Get what you need. Go 4x4 if you'll be hitting the sand.

I had a 4x4 truck before my 2wd Tacoma but I don't ever take my vehicles off road. No need for it.