Advice please on 4x4 vs RWD first time buyer

4x4 = zero regrets or buyers remorse.
4x2 = always wondering what-if....

 

If you are asking which you are, then you should get it. It comes down to one question you have not completely answered. Can you afford it? If you can, 100% get it. Nominal to no drawbacks to having 4WD.

 

You are not unpopular with me brother. And if civil war breaks out, I'll be standing next to you, fully armed. It feels like we need to already.

 

How much snow do you get in nashville? I have been driving RWD Tacoma's here in chicago the last 9 years. The only time I was not able to get out was in 2011 when we had a 24 inch snowstorm and I had a 3 1/2 foot snow drift down my driveway. I don't think the 4x4 would have even made it through anyway. If that is your deciding factor the RWD with a good set of tires and sandbags in the back has always worked just fine for me.

 

I created an account just to reply to this tread. I lurk here all the time. I guess it was about time to get involved.

I live in Nashville and currently drive a 2007 Toyota FJ TRD. The 4x4 is absolutely worth it. Even if you only use it the 1 week out of the year that we actually need it for our roads, I will never go back to 2wd. But people here in Bellevue seem to get their panties in a wad if you're out on the roads and they cant be. So just drive slow and smart. I turn off 4x4 on i40 but turn it back on, on surface streets.

I don't worry about the 10 Miles a month. I just use it when I can, dirt roads, trails if I can find them etc... I replaced the Diffs and Transfer case oil with Amsoil and it keeps a really good coating on the parts. I have a gas station 1 mile from my house, so I will occasionally put it in 4x4 on my way home from there, keeping it under 40mph.

With all that said, if you get 4x4 you will find yourself wanting to use the 4x4 searching for places to go off road. And having fun in the snow covered parking lots.

 

This is correct. Unless you have different diameter tires on the front vs the rear.

And the locker can only be ENGAGED at less than 5mph. Once it's locked, it won't unlock itself on its own. You can lock your truck in 4lo and redline it in top gear and it won't unlock.

 

It's better to have it and not need it. I don't need a hooker tied up in my shed but I've got one. 4x4 will help in the snow for you but take it OFFROAD a few times and you will be glad you did and will start modding the hell out of it

 

Read my sig.

 

Haha shame, just read your quote. That mark epitomizes the image conscious poseurs that use the 4wd as an extension of their man hood and validate their worth to other suburban dads; not to mention it is a prime example of why some advice on this forum is usually so pitiful.

Good luck OP.

Tyler

 

You have my support too! Stay safe.

 

For resale value and easier flipping down the road, the 4x4 will be the better purchase.

6' all year? We've been known to get that in 24-48 hours. Also, I'll take the powdery mountain snow you guys get in UT/CO all day over the wet lake-effect snow we get here in NY.

Tires > Drive-type

Given the option of two BMW 3-series vehicles:
1) RWD + Snow Tires
2) AWD + All-Season Tires

RWD will have better traction all day long.

Also, FWD vehicles generally have the weight of the engine over the drive wheels, which helps aid in traction (which is why vehicles that are RWD will sometimes supplement with sand bags in the rear).

If you have proper snow tires, you shouldn't have an issue.

 

I would have never thought RWD with snow tires would be better traction than AWD with All season tires. Interesting.

 

I lived in Nashville and now Cleveland. In 4 years I saw 2 days where 4wd would be useful. I personally would go 2wd and put sand bags in the bed of the truck for weight in the winter. 4wd is great, but make sure you actually need it before you spend the money on it

 

In 4 years i saw 2 days where 4wd would be useful while living in nashville. In cleveland its 200 days out of the year

 

Yeah, about. The seasonal total was just compiled 7/3/16, the NWS uses September to June as our seasonal snow year. Here in town we had 73.2" at 5.080' elevation. It doesn't take much elevation to make a difference. Estes Park, which is about 30 minutes west of us but still in Larimer County got 138" at elevation 8,380'. It's actually fairly dry on the east side of the mountains, but we're usually good for a couple of good storms every winter. We had a pretty big one in March, about a foot with lots of wind that drifted. You go up to the Divide and their snow totals will be higher. Loveland Ski Area, right at the tunnels on I-70 gets around 400" over the winter. But their base is 10,800'.

 

Another way to look at it is... When I was younger and driving a 2wd truck, it did most of the things I asked it to but there were quite a few instances where I thought "I sure wish I had a 4x4." Now that I've owned a 4x4 truck for 7 years and when I was driving my moms 4x4 Toyota back in high school, I've never had that thought of "Man I sure I wish I had a 2wd."

 

Not sure about BMWs, but with a Tacoma, in snow, I would rather have the 4 wheel drive with all season tires rather than Rear wheel drive with snow tires.

 

There's no one right way but my thinking is like @EJ257, I'd probably would take the good snow tires over 4WD. Tires make the most difference. And I've driven 4WD trucks since forever and wouldn't give it up for anything. But I'm also realistic, snow tires are where it's at. I should clarify, I'm talking about true snow tires, like Blizzaks, even though our CDOT (our highway people) and State Patrol also recognize 4WD or M+S tread as acceptable when restrictions are in place.

I will also say this is a budget decision because you shouldn't run your winter tires in the summer, that will wear them out super fast and your mileage takes a little hit. So factor in having two sets of wheels with 2WD compared to running 4WD with a reasonably good tread on one set of wheels is probably the same cost over time.

 

as someone who has a 2wd taco...my next truck will be 4x4. try to save and muster for the 4x4. you will not regret it.

 

This thread lol...7 pages and it's just the same back and forth, over and over.

OP if you really aren't convinced by now that you want to spend the extra for 4x4 then just get the 2wd. You don't live in a harsh winter climate, doesn't sound like you are interested in recreational off roading, the 2wd will likely suit you just fine.