2WD vs 4WD

I built my new house on a steeply inclined lot. I played the above game you mentioned quite a few times before I got a paved driveway! I usually try and reserve 4wd for oh crap moments. 4 low comes in handy so often because of the stupid tall 1st gear in the 2.7 litre trucks.

 

have tried 2wd a few times over the years...it's never that great.

 

Same here, been stuck too many times on icy inclines when i owned a 2wd. 4wd is just sooooo much better.

 

My Tacoma is an SR5 4x4. I’ve been really happy with it. My “off-roading” is mainly forest roads so I could probably get away with 2wd but I’m glad to have more traction if needed. Also good on pavement in bad weather.

How long until you’re committed to the OR you have a deposit on? Maybe keep looking a little more for an SR5 in 4x4? Should split the difference between the two price-wise.

 

I still remember the first time I switched my truck into 4WD for the first time and I was blown away. I never owned a vehicle with 4WD capabilities and I will never go back. The amount of snow I could push through without getting stuck was ridiculous. I could literally get plowed in and switch into 4WD and just drive right out. My grandpa swears by 2 wheel drive vehicles but as for me I will never go back to a 2 wheel drive vehicle.

 

An old man I new growing up told me something something that has stuck with me for over 30 years now. He said, “Aaron, owning a 2wd truck is like dating a girl without any boobs. Sure she’ll do the job but one day you’re really going to wish you had 4wd”

 

Most 4wd trucks spend 99.99% of their life in 2wd anyway. But it’s that damn .01% that will get you every time.

 

I’ll offer a counterpoint. I have had a 2wd Tacoma since 2017 in Alabama (drive in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama) and have never been in a situation where I needed 4wd. For me I like that it meets my needs and is cheaper to purchase, uses less fuel, has fewer moving parts, and requires less maintenance.

I saw several point out resale on the 4wd will be higher. I agree but my experience is that it won’t be $4k higher. Every time I check resale, the resale difference is less than the price difference when new.

End of the day - get what your budget allows and makes you happy. I personally recommend a higher emphasis on budget because putting yourself in a tight spot financially can negatively impact happiness.

 

It sounds like you might not need 4wd. It also sounds like you might not need a Tacoma if a Rogue has suited you for a while. If you are going to get a vehicle which you really don't need, you may as well get the trim and options that you really want. The extra 4k gets you 4wd, rear locker, crawl control and MTS. I think the OR is the best value in the lineup for outright ability.

I'm curious-you said you owned a farm, are you planning on doing farm work with this truck? If that's the case I would go straight to a gas F250 or F350 XL for a little more money and exponentially more working ability.

 

I second this with the obvious caveat of "within reason."

OP, cancel your order for the MGM and see if you can get them to try and allocate/dealer trade for the blue one that you want. Nothing worse than spending a ton of money on something, but not getting what you actually want.

 

Only you can decide. For me personally I have a 4x2 off-road and I've never needed the rear locker the few times I've been off-roading in it. Living in a big city and knowing that the truck would rarely see an unpaved road, it wasn't worth it for me to get a 4x4. Some will disagree but to each their own.

 

2wd is usually fine until it rains

 

Do you find yourself in mud often?

 

4x4 better resale, there when you need it.

 

Had 2wd and converted it to 4wd.... But i like to "wheel". That being said my 2wd Tacoma locked in the rear did about %85 of what i wanted. Really just when it rains or snows you need to be careful.

 

It sounds like you want a 4x4 but not the extra $200 a month . If it was me I would stay in budget but find a used 4x4 or maybe a new SR 4x4 . So I vote no to the $200 and no to the 2WD .

 

You want 4x4 in the rain?

 

[laughs in mid engine rear drive car]

I have a 4Runner now but I had a 2WD taco. I will say that it’s a remarkable difference- things that I would have to get a bit crafty with in the 2WD I now just spin the knob and crunch right over. With that said though, ground clearance, articulation, and good tires are extremely important parts of this equation. Don’t let people bully you into thinking that rear drive is useless, there’s probably a colony of spiders in their front diff anyways and they’re aggressively trying to justify their purchase.

Get what you want and don’t worry. If you’re a good driver you’ll make the magic happen.

 

Thousands of people drive RWD trucks all day every day. Everybody here drives a RWD truck until 4WD is engaged.

 

4X4 ALWAYS. ALWAYS. ALWAYS.