MN Owners

Thank you all for the time you took to reply to my thread. I am not well versed on 4wd systems as much as AWD, especially on trucks, but of course know they are useful all around.

Knowing more about the technology from the users (you all) makes it easier to understand what you experience behind the wheel for comparison purposes.

Definitely feeling better continuing in the direction of a truck than 'settling' for the Subaru. Like one of you said, the use of a truck for me is why I would go that route primarily.

Thanks for the input.

 

Subaru aren’t too bad. Used to have a 2017 Toyota 86 (RWD) and drove it in 2 winter with snow tire. Drive like a breeze, even on really bad blizzard storms.

I missed my 06 Tacoma off-road so I traded for my 16 Tacoma sport. I wanted the off-road but the price difference of TRD Sport and Off-road is flipped for 3rd Gen. Like why do off-road cost more? I only got my sport because I drove my buddy 2012 sport. LSD with good tire isn’t too bad. Blizzak tire would been better choice. (Currently have BF Goodrich K02)

 

On the assumption that this is a real question, the primary extra costs are likely for the rear locker, off-road traction control (ATRAC/MT-Select/Crawl-Control), and maybe the bigger rear diff (albeit you can get that on a Sport 6MT). Keep in mind that the off-road traction control has mechanical components (hydraulic brake booster) as well as electronic components.

 

I'm not in MN but right next door to the west so close enough.

The storm this weekend dropped drifts about 10" deep in my neighborhood so since I didn't get to drive through much snow last year, I headed out before the plows came through. Driving through the neighborhood in 2WD, I had no issues provided you don't get a happy right foot. Put down too much and the back end will walk out pretty quickly but the traction control straightens you out pretty well. I drove about 2 miles and that happened twice but the first one was intentional to scare the kid a bit.

Putting it into 4HI made the drive completely uneventful. Even under a heavy boot it stayed straight. The downside is when you hit a dry patch and are turning, the 4WD system binds up, which you obviously don't want.

The interstate here is usually kept pretty clear so even if I need 4WD to get moving in town, I'll kick it off on the interstate. If it's bad enough to need 4 on the interstate, it's bad enough that you're not going over 60MPH anyway. Besides, $ miht get you going on ice, but it doesn't help you stop!

The AWD system like what's in my wife's Highlander is good for her - she doesn't need to think about doing anything. It's just always in AWD and sends power wherever it needs to, basically like the Subaru.

 

Good to hear!

Thanks for replying to that post. Good to know more about the additional components to the Off Road model.

Thanks for sharing this. Yeah, my wife drives the Outback and I don't have any concerns except for the people around her. True points about the road conditions and drive selection.