Tacoma 2wd vs 4wd?

Hey, I am new to the forums. I am in the market for a 2nd gen Tacoma, preferably a 2014-2015 model. I have also been looking at the 3rd gen as well. My question is, do I really need a 4wd? I live in southern California and the weather is dry here. We do get the occasional rain but it's never anything too crazy, at worst, we'll get a week of rain non-stop, but other than that, it will be 1-2 days of rain, but it rarely rains here. I do a lot of outdoor target shooting at public land and most of these lands are dirt and bumpy roads, I don't plan on doing any rock climbing activities. So my question is, do I really need a 4wd or will a 2wd serve me well for my needs? To be honest, I don't have the budget for a 4wd, but I don't want to get a 2wd then regret it later down the road. So for all you guys that owned a 2wd or both, how do you like it in comparison to one another? Thanks.

EDIT: I did more research, and I have decided to go with the tacoma off-road model, which comes with a part-time 4WD system. I think this will suit me the best for my driving needs. I won't be doing crazy off-road or rock crawling. I just need a truck that I can take on flat dirt trails.

 

2wd sounds right for you.

 

I can count on one finger the amount of times I've actually needed 4wd.

That is far superior to counting on one finger the amount of times I wish I had 4 wheel drive and didn't.

How much is an off-road tow truck in the boonies gonna cost you,? After you find cell phone reception?

 

I use 4 WD often, you do not use 4WD, therefore you don’t need 4WD. For you it would be just another thing to possibly break or go wrong

 

2WD is also less weight which means better MPG. You Cali guys are paying like $5/gal still so you need any savings you can get.

 

Understandable, but like I mention, I have no plans on doing rock climbing or anything close to it. The public land that I go too for target shooting, is always flat but it's a very bumpy dirt road that you will need a truck to access, but there are no steep hills or anything. As of now, I go with a buddy who owns a truck but I feel like it's time now for me to buy a truck for this purpose so that I don't always have to hitch a ride with him. I have read a lot of comments from Tacoma owners who bought a 2wd and regret it later but those guys are always doing crazy off roading activities, whereas for me, I dont have any plans for doing that. I just need a truck that will do well on flat dirt roads and can also serve as my daily driver for work in this dry southern california weather.

 

Get a Subaru Outback

 

4WD is like an insurance policy.

 

not a fan of those cars. I need a truck, but trying to really narrow it down to if a 4wd is really needed for my intended use.

 

My 2009 is a pre-runner OR w/ rear locker. I never regretted not having 4wd until we moved to the mountains. The 2023 is a OR 4wd & 0 regrets. I've found myself several times with the 2023 where I was glad I had 4wd. Dirt road with a summer storm or the mountains when it started snowing.
Do you need it?
No, until you do.

 

By what you stated,you absolutely don't need 4wd. I'm in Indiana,and barely even use it in the winter. I'm usually driving my Outback

 

Sounds like you have a good understanding of your use case - if we're talking bee canyon, Hodge rd, pink gate, berdoo canyon, ocotillo, etc... you'll be fine. Just be smart and know your limits

 

I have a 4 wheel drive jeep cherokee xj...Only use 4 wd when pulling my 16 foot boat onto the ramp..So don't use it much. My Taco is a 2.7, two wheel drive...For my needs it is great...So if y ou don't think you will be in situations that dictate 4x4 t hen maybe a t wo wheel drive will work for you...

 

2wd will not have as high of resale value, but you are looking at used trucks which means it will also be cheaper for you to buy one. I think a 2wd pre runner will suit your needs just fine since you’ll have the ground clearance of a 4x4 but less expensive and better mpg with the 2wd.

 

Thank you, to everyone who responded and gave their opinions. I have decided that the Tacoma Off-Road model will suit me the best for my driving needs. So now, I will be on the look for an off-road model. Thanks again everyone for your feedback!

 

LOL, pink gate is exactly what I was referring too for outdoor target shooting. Thanks bro!

 

Test drive a Subaru Ascent. It's just as big as the Gen2 Tacoma, with all that bed as heated/cooled interior space. In south central Alaska we guys liked minivans because all the cargo space was climate controlled, nicer than napping in a pickup bed.
Big rig, and our local dealer (who also sells Toyota about a block away) equipped my daughter's (used) Ascent with Falken tires, which the salesman is planning to install on his '99 FourRunner.

 

I really think 2wd is probably the best option for you. If you're working with a tight budget I'd rather YOU get a year newer truck with a few less miles on it for the same money.

For ME, long term, it's 4X4 all the way. Long term the price difference is minimal. Yes, you pay more for a 4X4 when you buy it, but it's always worth more when you sell/trade later. If you can resist the urge to heavily modify the truck with 400 lbs of accessories and oversize tires there will be less than 1 mpg difference. If you modify a 4X2 and go with oversize tires you get the same fuel mileage as a 4X4 so modified.

I started with 4X4's in 1976. In 1983 I had a pretty decent car and a beater 4X4. The car was totaled in a crash 2 months before I got married. I took the insurance money, sold the 4X4 and bought the best used 2wd truck I could afford with cash. I didn't want to start a marriage with a car payment.

Drove that truck 2 years and hated every minute of it, but it was the right thing to do at the time. By 1985 I was in a better financial position and traded it for a new 1985 4X4 F150 and I've not owned a 4X2 since.

But I use 4X4 more than most. And that's not much. I may go months at a time and only use it for a few miles just to keep everything lubricated. But when I need it, I need it.

 

Son I am disappoint.

 

Is the Off-road model, a bad choice? Please explain. I just feel like for my driving needs, I don't really need a 4wd? But please explain. I am open to suggestions, and maybe you can convince me otherwise.