Purchase advice - 4x2 snow performance, etc.

OP says they won't be offroading and a locking diff is of zero use on road with snow

 

I would guess that your father-in-law grew up driving RWD cars/trucks with open differentials. The 4x2 Tacoma would probably suffice. If they are worried about it, they can get some snow tires in the future. My 4x2 handles just fine in the snow/ice.

 

I'm thinking this was a wrong use of words here. Inhibiting drifting when going around a corner would be a positive. You don't want any slippage at all, right? Since the locker keeps both wheels turning at the same rate of speed, it would actually cause slippage and/or drifting.

 

The locker will help getting unstuck or for having fun lol.

I would recommend getting the 4x4 in case they would need it in bad snow conditions. I watched a tacoma prerunner in front of me trying to go up a slight hill on a busy road in a little bit of snow/slush and he couldn't get started. I had to go around him because he was struggling to go anywhere lol

 

fixed, yes.

 

No. 4X4 requires the V6, hence the large price disparity.

 

I should also add that my in laws are very down to earth, humble people. They have bought exactly one new car in their lives (the aforementioned Taurus which is literally falling apart).

So I'm maybe being a bit selfish when I say that I'm not eager to drop an additional $5,000 if it's not really necessary but I'm also cogniscent of the fact that my in laws would literally freak out if they end up with a $30,000 truck.

We'd literally buy a truck for them with wind up windows and they'd love it. But that's not an option and the SR5 package is probably what we're looking at since I think the back up camera is a real safety bonus.

Thanks again for all the feedback... to be honest, I'm probably more confused now than before the thread but I greatly appreciate your experiences and insight.

 

First off, I'm a Florida boy. In my opinion, I would go for whatever they think they will want. Easiest way to find out is to ask his opinion. you say he's wanted a truck for a while, so its certainly something he has thought about. Pretend that you were talking to a friend, that was looking for a new truck, about it and wanted his opinion.

He will know whether HIS driving habits will warrant it or not...

Since you're looking for an SR5, most dealerships will negotiate more than they will with TRD models.

 

DCLB SR5 4x4 gets my vote

 

We did that recently when the Mega Millions was so huge by asking him what he'd buy with his winnings... he wanted a very basic, 4 cylinder, double cab truck. As I said.. pretty laid back people. I'm happy to buy that truck but if 4WD really is a safey issue for semi-daily winter use in NY... then that's what we'll buy them.

 

I have a prerunner and have had no problems in the snow. Vancouver weather is very similar to NY. Even when the roads arnt plowed, as long as you keep the wheels spining and get some winter tires (which I dont have) you'll be totally fine. Ive only got stuck once and it was on a extremly steep/short hill off a parking lot with over 1ft and half of untouched snow. Otherwise, ive never sliped in the snow even without winter tires.

The 2wd has handled great for me. Ive had it offroad on some pretty hard trails and still was able to get down, even tho going back up had some problems. Theres some videos and pictures in the Vancouver meet up thread in the Canada section.

Get the 2wd, you'll be totally fine in the snow.

 

in my opinion i don`t think 4x4 taco ac is that good in snow, in that case i would not even consider a 4x2.in 2wd mode and light snow i would not even be able to back out of my drive way on a very slight incline.pickups dont have any weight on rear axle and putting sand bags in the bed is a pain in the back ,plus storing the sand bags, loading unloading.plus resale is better with 4x4 in areas with snow fall

 

say wut

 

You are thinking of deep snow when offroading. You'd never use 4Low on a plowed street, so the locking rear diff will never be used. A basic 4x4 with standard auto-LSD will more than suffice for the OP.

 

I think he is talking about the prerunner, with off road package. They have a rear locker also.

Anyway OP, I personally would want 4x4, but that's me. But I knew a guy who drove a 2wd above the snow belt in PA and did just fine, granted it was a full size Ford, but he was driving through pretty deep snow. If your father in law knows how to handle the snow, which I'm sure he does. He we be fine. And from what I have read so far, it really seems as though you are steering away from the 4x4. If you feel like he wouldn't want it, than don't get it.

 

Well 4x2 is not going to be a "safety issue". As others have stated, safety will be had with a little knowledge of how to drive in the snow. If they are that laid back, chances are they are not going to drive on non-plowed roads or roads that haven't been salted. Its NY for crying out loud. If he is that plain-jane, why even bother with the SR5? The money saved from the SR5 and 4x4 could easily get him a set of rims and snow tires for when the time comes.

I'd assume you are looking at about a $22-23k truck after negotiations.

 

I think a 2WD would be fine for someone that knows how to drive a RWD vehicle on city snow. I only had the electronics kick in a couple of times on mine, and that was when I was pushing it a little to find the edge. I found it and the electronics did their work and kept me going straight -- although the beeping kinda freaked me out at first.

A base DC 4x4 would be my second option if it can be found. The local dealer here did have one, and it had the 4-leaf pack good for carrying those home improvement loads. And it doesn't have too many fancy add-ons (try to explain Bluetooth to someone at Luby's).

A TRD Sport would be a slightly more expensive fall-back, but probably too many extras.

So it sounds like the priorities are:

1. A truck to carry shit
2. 4 real doors and seats to carry rug rats
3. As safe in snow as what he is used to driving
4. Simple, not too many buttons
5. Reasonably priced

So a base DC would probably be best, but a base DC 4x4 might make the OP feel a little better, if it can be found.

 

I drove a extended cab 2wd Tacoma for several years in Iowa snow and did just fine. As long as I could take my time. My fwd Camry was always better in the snow than the truck. Eventually, I found that the 2wd truck was staying parked most of the winter.

A few years ago, I found that I was hauling my family around more and more, so I needed a double cab. I was also under a time constraint of having to pick my daughter up at daycare by a certain time. I decided to upgrade to a double cab 4wd. I did not want to deal with snow tires (although that may have been a good option). I usually drive the truck in 2wd until it starts slipping around, then put it in 4wd and it really strightens out. I don't drive any faster, but I am more confident that the truck can handle more than the old 2wd truck could.

If it is a truck that he does not have to drive in the snow, then 2wd would be fine. However, 4wd has its advantages and has better re-sale.

Another option is to find a low milage used truck. I know you want to buy him anew truck, but my dealership sent me an email that the have a 2011 on the lot with <5k mi.

If you went the 2wd route, would he have a place to store snow tires. Maybe take some of the money saved by not buying 4wd and buy him a set of snow tires mounted on rims.

 

I lived in NJ the first 29 years of my life and never owned a 4wd vehicle and a couple were trucks. I never had a problem. That's not NY, however, so could be worse up there.

 

Another vote on this^. Get them a well equipped Tacoma and make them very