Just bought a 2WD and moving to MI

So currently I live in GA, and just bought a 2008 Tacoma pre-runner 2 WD. Me and my wife just made the decision to move back to Michigan where we are from. Am I going to be pissed at myself for just buying a 2WD truck and moving to where there snow/blizzards 4 months out of the year? If you guys were in my shoes what would you do?

 

If finances are not a problem then get a 4x4, but if that's not easily attainable just get a set of winter tires/wheels for winter.

 

what part ?

I'm in the Mid Michigan / just outside of Lansing area

we had a pretty easy Winter this year, I didn't need to use 4WD once

 

Clarkston/Lake Orion/Oxford area. What about last year or the year before?

 

@Yoda's TRD do you have a remote starter on your Taco

 

the last few Winters around here have been mild

no, I don't have a remote start, but I would like to get one

works great in the Summer as well

 

The 4wd is some huge insurance in Michigan. I drove a 4 beater Caliber through two storms, I will never go back after getting the 4wd. But 2wd will do it as long as you don't live on a back road.

I'd recommend trying to trade up to a 4wd, but if you can't afford it won't kill you. This is just my experience with the thumb, out west and north is another story.

 

I use to live in the Upper Penninsula. Put some weight in the back, get a set of winter tires. Take it slow. 4x4 isn't needed as much as you think unless you live in a very remote area.

 

You'll be a stone's throw from Windsor, ON... I would go 4WD myself. The past two years' winters have been pretty "good" for snowfall around here, and I definitely enjoyed having the 4x4. Colder temps have made many of my friends appreciate their remote starters, but I don't have one. I installed a block heater to help things get going after the really cold nights.

 

Trade for a 4x4. What price do you put on peace of mind?

 

If snow is an issue get a set of snow chains or cables for when the roads are really bad.

 

I have always been used to 4WD trucks. I can't imagine not having one.
I've not enjoyed my Tacoma this winter in the snow. It has the stock tires on it and because it's a smaller truck it has no weight in the back. Makes for a bad combination in the snow. I'm sliding everywhere compared to my full-size in 2WD. I have bad tires, so that's my issue, but I'd be upset if my truck was 2WD and I had to put up with that all the time.
I'm part of the group where if you have a 2WD, you don't need a truck. Heck getting around a wet field can suck with 2WD but I digress.

Me: get 4X4 before you move. Your 2WD will have better value where you are and 4X4s will be more expensive in MI.
The other option is to make sure you have great tires and put some weight in the back in the winter and see how it does. If you hate it after a year or so, then trade it in.

 

in either situation 2 or 4wd a good set of tires, (if you dont want full dedicated snow / ice tires, something like the michline ms2) will help immensely.

 

I love sweeping generalizations.