4WD vs 2WD in Texas

In the end, only you can decide if "it's worth it". We don't know your finances, you could be a millionaire that squabbles over "small" stuff like this, or a guy living check to check that needs that extra 1 MPG, $19 a month cheaper payment, and $2 a month in insurance savings,,, or more than likely something in the wide spectrum in-between.
A 2wd will be fine in TX, but if you have family in the NE, unfortunately you may be forced to travel in the winter, of course that's a helluva haul and what most would consider flying distances. As @23TacoSR mentioned, resale is also a consideration.

 

This. ^^^^^

Lifelong Texan here. Spent the first 35 years in the D/FW Metroplex. Moved to the panhandle in ‘07 for work. If you look at a freeze map, you’ll see the line for snow/rain mix runs right through D/FW. The further south you go, the less harsh the winters are. Being in the Hill country, you’d be fine with a 2wd. But to echo others in this thread, resale value will be way better with a 4wd. Not sure what the difference in initial price is, but it’s worth it when time to sell. Just my $.02

EDIT: I’ve driven nothing but 4wd’s since I was 21 for the reasons stated above

 

My first truck was a '00 Taco Prerunner. Great truck, loved it. But one day at the hunting land, I got stuck in a bottom meadow for at least an hour in nothing but tall wet grass.

After that day, I decided no more 2wd for me, 4wd only lol.

 

To put it another way:
Take two identical pickups, same options, colors, etc., one being 2wd, the other 4wd. set them side by side on a lot. You’d get twice the interest in the 4wd vs. the 2wd.

 

Do you plan on towing or hauling? 4wd does reduce payload capacity.

 

If you’re asking, then you want it….. don’t regret buying a truck that makes you say, “I should’ve”

 

OP...you'll never miss 4WD...until you need it.

 

7 yeas with 2wd he in FL. No regrets here.

 

Needed, probably not. Really nice to have when ya do!

 

Here in the northeast, I wouldn't buy a 2wd truck, because of snow and resale value, but then again we also have a 2000 Pre-runner that has been in the family since new, and honestly as long as it has good tires on it and a little weight in the bed, it's fine in the snow. Just replaced the tires, it had 10+ year old tires with decent looking tread left, but it was terrifying to drive in the rain and snow. New Firestone Destinations (best deal I could find) and it feels like a new truck.

In Texas? Unless you're off roading a bunch, probably save the money and go 2wd.

 

What car do you drive now and did you used 4x4 or awd in it

 

If you really want to flex get a SIX WHEEL drive vehicle:




I mean, you're in Texas, Haas. Go big or Go home.

 

I moved to the Houston area from NM, lived there for 18 years, I have always had a 4x4 Toyota Pickup/Tacoma.
My main reason was because if I had to go back west in the winter, I wanted the 4WD, which did happen multiple times.
My second reason was I love going camping in the mountains of NM & CO and I am more comfortable with 4WD in the mountains.

If you dont think you'll ever need to drive it in the snow or will not go off road or need it extra tractions to pull a boat out of a lake, then go with he 2WD.

 

If you want to go off the beaten path, get 4x4. If it's gonna remain a pavement princess.....

 

If you stay on pavement, it's a non-issue in the hill country. Snow is a once every year or two event in the DFW area, ice is more likely and you are crazy to get out in it once the ice is here.

I have had both, I like 4WD for Utah, Colorado and Padre Island, but these days only use it maybe 2 times a year. I honestly dont remember the last time I got out in ice. Never had a complaint with 2WD.

Honestly on snow and ice my wifes Subaru works better than the Tacoma 4WD I have now.

 

2WD on the roads is fine, but how much of Texas do you like exploring? Driving down the coast and exploring around Big Bend and Terlingua is a lot more fun with 4WD.

 

This is my first 4x4 vehicle. I had a Nissan Titan when we had that ice storm blow through here 2 years ago and had to get my in-laws when power went out at their house. The drive is normally 30 minutes there and back but it took well over an hour and was sketchy as hell. So that was the first time in my over 25 years of driving I've actually thought about a 4x4. Still made it but would've preferred a 4x4.

So far I've thrown my Tacoma into 4x4 as often as I can, not because I need to but because the kids and I love finding mud.

 

2WD Tacoma's do fine in the northeast. They don't hide under the covers or stay in the garage when it snows up here. The roads get plowed and everyone does fine unless maybe you want to drive around during the height of the storm. If you're really worried, put a few 75 lb sand tubes in the bed, four real snow tires on the truck and find one with the tow pkg (hitch is a good hook-up point to yank you out) and the electronic auto-LSD and it will do fine. I never missed a day of work because I only had 2WD: either going in the morning or coming back home at night. I have a 4x4 at the present time, but mainly it was because it was the best truck I came across when I was looking. One of my sons is a ski resort snowmaker in VT on the night crew. He does fine running all over the place up there in his 2005 AC 4cyl stick. My 2-cents is: Buy what you really need and spend the difference you save on premium all-terrain tires and a tent-trailer.

Welcome to the forum.

 

4WD no question.

1. Better resale value
2. You won’t ever be sitting somewhere saying man I wish I had 2wd only. You may however wish you had 4wd.

 

You really don't need 4WD, until you do! Choose wisely!