Purchase advice - 4x2 snow performance, etc.

The SR5 package is somethign we're considering because of the rear view back up camera (something I find extremely helpful in my own vehicles), the sliding glass rear window and the improved comfort (at least to my butt) of the driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support.

Yes, we're hoping for very, very low $20's.

On a related note... and again, apologies for the dumb noob question... but how much would a reasonable set of used wheels and new snow tires probably run for a Taco? That might be an excellent solution!

 

if you are hoping for low 20s just buy an older-mid used 2nd gen. nothing wrong with a clean used taco!

notice how most of the people saying you dont need a 4wd live in places that get little to no snow? Listen, a 2wd truck is THE worst vehicle you can drive in the snow. A FWD honda civic is better in the snow than a 2wd truck. Please just get the 4x4 so you dont regret it next winter because I guarentee you will. The extra 3g is very worth it the first time you get to a snowy incline or a very slippery intersection and people are crawling through it at 1mph or spinning their tires like crazy sliding sideways and you can just roll through completley fine with no drama and just drive relaxed. You can probably figure 700-900 for some average AT tires which will do perectly fine in the snow.

 

I get snow, and I said get 2wd.

 

i dont get it....why? coming from the guy in pitt with a 4x4?

 

I said it in a post before, ther OP the way I am reading it, really seems to not want 4x4. Atleast thats the way I was taking it. He seems to think his in-laws want as basic of a truck as possible. Also he said they have an AWD vehicle for when they need it. I said that I knew a guy who lived above the "snow belt" in PA, who drove a full size Ford with only 2WD and did just fine. I personally would not want to not have 4x4, but if his in-laws live in a area well plowed and its pretty level, then I think it would be just fine, as long as you know how to drive in it. We have a ton of hills around here, so I would'nt even think of not haveing a 4x4, I only use it when I'm on a hill also. I don't need it when I'm on the level, in the snow.

But to repeat myself, I personaly would not want a 2wd truck.

 

^^^ X2 you DONT need a 4x4 to get through snow. It makes it easier and all but if you watch your speed and plan a route acording to the conditions, you'll never have any problems.

4x4's are great and Ill def be getting one for my next truck, but OP is aking will a 2wd make it through the snow, and under a 1' or tracked snow, answer is YES.

 

I just bought a prerunner TRD sport and I live in Harrisburg PA, we can get a lot of snow but most of the time it's not that bad. The roads are cleared pretty quick. I don't see the point in spending the extra money for a 4x4 if you are just going to use it a few times a year. I had a Jeep Liberty and a Ford Escape before my Tacoma and they both were 4x4 and I used it maybe 6 times a year at most for a few minutes. Not worth it to me. Now if they live in an area that may not get plowed for a few days that is a little different. I say a 4x2 is fine and save the money.

I think some people just think they have to have 4x4 if they have a truck.

 

OP , when you say an hr outside of NYC are they north, south, which way if you don't mind me asking?

 

My in laws live in Monroe, NY. It's located close to West Point and it is located just North East of the city.

 

I agree and if I were buying the vehicle for me, I'd probably buy a CPO tacoma. But I'm buying something sight unseen from more than 3,000 miles away. Plus, we hope this to be a big surprise for my in laws and while they'd be overwhelmed with a nice used truck, they'll be blow away by a new truck with full factory warranty, etc.

 

with the same logic they would be blown to the moon with a SR5 DCLB 4x4

 

I don't disagree but getting the V6 and 4X4 adds at least $5,000 or some 20+% to the cost. And they don't need the V6... but would probably apprecaite the 4x4 a few times a year.... hence my conundrum.

 

I've driven only 2wd trucks for 25 years in WI, IA, and CO (KS too but I'm trying to forget). Your folks will do fine with 2wd.

2-4 60lb tube sands in the bed make all the difference.

 

Makes sense to me. SR5 males sense then, but that's going to raise the price as well. You might get to $23 with the options you're looking for with some good negotiating. Check that regions Toyota site and see if you can get any incentives that will offset some of the cost.

I have driven in the snow several times and know that 4x4 is defiantly nice to have, but not essential. More can be had by picking a good line.

I can understand this. That's what I did. Peace of mind is worth a lot. CPO usually have a warranty to 100k...if that is worth anything...

 

For what it's worth...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...totaled-taco-belated-story-picts-lenghty.html

 

4x4 is not necessary but why not have the piece of mind? No, 4x will NOT help a truck from sliding out while braking or cornering in snow, every vehicle is limited due to the nature of it being a very heavy object married to the road via slippery rubber tires. FWD vehicles are great in snow. My Mazda hatchback and Integra were excellent in snow, albeit limited in terms of ground clearance. They want a truck though, naturally light in the back end. I am new to trucks but a veteran of snow driving. Trucks are simply limited in this capacity and RWD makes certain situations more challenging than necessary. Heck I remember not being able to get out of a parking lot without 4x with very light snow (stock tires no less) without 4x4. Simply put, do it right from the get-go if money is not a huge issue, no regrets. Get a used Taco with 50K for a reasonable price otherwise, Toyota is what it is because of their rep for reliability after all.

 

Do your parents want the extra cost in poor mpg?

 

The CPO warranty is good to 100K miles on the powertrain. However, this being a Toyota, it's not the powertrain I'm concerned about. My experience is that a properly maintained Toyota/Lexus drivetrain will run damn near forever. It's all the other doo dads that I'm worried about.

Plus, since I'm not in a position to personally inspect any vehicle I'm buying for them, buying new has another advantage.

 

Definitely not. And this is one of the reasons why I'm hesitating. In order to get 4x4 you need to get the V6. Since they won't tow, won't go offroad, etc. they're going to pay all year for a heavier, thirstier truck that they don't really need but for perhaps a few days a year. The easy answer is to just pay the additional $5,000 for the better equipped truck but that's more gas, more maintenance, etc. over the life of the truck for something that will likely rarely, if ever, get really used.

Argg... If Toyota still offered a 4 banger 4X4, I think I'd be done.

 

4x2 Double Cab 2.7L Automatic for the win. They will love it.