Looking to get 2020 OR 4x2 or 4x4 in SoCal

Hello,
New to TW but longtime lurker. I will be getting a new truck at the end of this month. Down to Ranger or Taco. Love the seats of the Ranger (like to sit upright), but I like the whole package of the Tacoma. The new power seats seem better than a 16' I previously had. Traded that in (high residual) to help get a new car for the wife. Drove her previous lease until now.
Anyway, I live in SoCal. I don't think I ever went off roading in previous Taco -- more to the beach carrying gear. Leaning toward another OR 2wd, but with premium and tech package. Love the sunroof idea (wish leather was not part of the package). However, I see many 4x4's around here.
I like the OR better than the Sport mainly to deal with the shitty streets where I live and commute to.
Any thoughts from OR 4x2 or 4x4 owners welcome. Looking forward to getting back in a Tacoma. Specially curious to hear from 4x4 owners who might have bought a 4x4 for a "just in case" reason.

 

Thanks. yes, definitely will get LEDs.

 

Similar situation here in North Florida. Don’t need 4x4 here and I don’t necessarily want it either. But I love my 4x2 OR!

 

I have 4X4 TRD Off Road.. I live in SoCal as well, and don't use the four wheel drive mode often, only when i take it to places like Gorman, Dry Lake, etc. most places are about 1.5 hours from me. Basically for fun only..

 

SoCal here.

4x2. Yet to encounter anything my 2WD couldn’t handle.


Whatever you choose, it’s a good choice. Why?

Because Tacoma.

 

Here in SoCal as well. I do have the 4WD because we do go camping and exploring at least once a month. Remember the good ol' saying.. better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Either way as everyone has stated its a great choice!

 

Always go with a 4x4 truck. It never hurts and when you need it will be worth the price of admission. Who knows you may get into off-roading too and regret not getting the 4wd. I sold my 17 Taco earlier this year and actually got a Ranger. Both have pros and cons. The Toyota has the better name,reliability, and resale. Not a fan of the tranny and engine though. Ford you can get way cheaper with the end of the year rebates but it’s a Ford. Way more fun to drive though. Good luck get a 4x4 no matter what.

 

Thanks Andrew. Still considering Ranger. Drove XLT Sport 4x4. Drives nice. Love the seating. Power folding mirrors are a plus for where I park at night. Felt the bumps on the road a bit more, however. Tacoma just felt more solid when I drove it. Wondering if you considered the FX4 package.

 

Go 4WD for sure. The difference in fuel mileage in negligible and if you decide to get into off-roading, skiing, overlanding, etc. in the future you are good to go.

 

I wish I got the FX4 package but most of them were tied up into more expensive vehicles. For reference I got the XLT Sport 4x4 for 30,300 which included a line x bed liner. Sticker was over 38. For me all stock shocks suck and get changed out. But I agree the Toyota stock shocks are better. FX4 shocks are better but still suck.

 

4x2 with a rear locker is almost as good as a 4x4 without a locker IMO

 

4x4 turning radius sucks. I’ve always owned a 4x4, it holds its resale value better too. Just the thing that bugs me the most is the tuning radius especially a long bed, worse than a dodge Hemi 2500 4x4 I once owned

 

I personally wouldn't consider a 4x2. Matter of fact, we just traded in the wife's SUV from FWD to AWD because of the places we could go...

 

Get the 4x4. I'm in socal. You are 1 hour away from the mountains where 4x4 opens A LOT of fun.

Also, the $3-4k more you pay now, you will 100% get all of it back when you sell the truck. The 4x4 will always be worth more.

 

I’ve only owned two wheel drive trucks, never gone off-roading, and don’t have any intentions of doing, so I went with the TRD Off Road 4x2. The 4x2 suits my driving habits just fine.

If you have any indication of off-roading, I recommend the 4x4.

 

Sure, the 4x4 will be worth more because it costs $3,000-$4,000 more.

 

It will be worth more because it is more desirable.

 

A 4x4 has a $3,000-$4,000 higher price tag than a 4x2. Based on pure logic, the 4x4 will retain a hold a greater value than a 4x2 throughout the span of depreciation.

 

Get what you can afford, but there may come a time where you wish you had 4x4.

I live in SoCal and 4wd comes in handy on slick boat ramps.

 

4x4 can also be used in rain. I use it all the time when it rains, truck feels much better during take off and cornering.