PCA Forums

how many people really need AWD or 4x4 .
what percent of the owners of these cars really ever use them .
in trucks im betting for the most part they are never engaged.
but the auto makers sure love to sell them .
it seems like a real waste of extra cash to me.
i have a 2002 Saturn vue FWD and have never been stuck .
but it seems like the auto makers really want to sell you a 4x4 SUV .and some are not even avail without this feature.

and a second question for you that have them (4x4 ) how many time have you really need it ?


im in the market for a new car . and it just pop in my head .

Avoid it and get a Front wheel drive.

It all depends where you drive and what "fun" you want to have

4x4 and awd are completely different.


My brother needs his 4x4 (F250 that pulls a 37' toy hauler)

awd is more for sport cars, like an Audi TT, they just plan stick to the road.


4x4 also helps if you are near snow often

I do not believe you need 4x4 for towing...just torque.

SUV's are 2 different breeds as well. Some are true suv's where they are rear wheel drives then I would suggest 4x4 as an option. If it is more of a car based suv (vue, murano, etc) where they are fwd, then they are fine.

All my current rides are 4x4, 2 are constant and my truck is engaged when I tell it to...both are nice. I like 4x4 far more then awd.

I drive a Mustang 99% of the time. My wife has a Jeep Cherokee. That AWD is helpful the few days we do get snow here in southern Ohio. Although we rarely get more than 3 to 4 inches in a storm, our road crews suck. An AWD is about the only was to get around the hills around here when it's that bad.

Several years ago, we had a Jeep Wrangler 4x4. We got a massive ice storm and we were one of the few that could get around. That Jeep was a blast to drive too.

4x4 and AWD are nice when the conditions persist. AWD is great in a sports car.

It all depends on what you plan to do and what conditions you drive in. Keep in mind that you will typically see a 2 to 3 mpg hit with AWD or 4x4's. They also cost more. An FWD is fine for the majority of people. Just don't get cheap when you buy tires. A set of tires can make or break the handling of a car.

All my cars have been RWD... and there have been a few times I wish i had 4x4. That time was just to have fun in a muddy field. for the most part 4x4 is a waste. AWD in a sports car is a good thing but other then that 4x4 is a waste on anything your not willing to dent up or scratch.

Pugsley wrote:All my cars have been RWD... and there have been a few times I wish i had 4x4. That time was just to have fun in a muddy field. for the most part 4x4 is a waste. AWD in a sports car is a good thing but other then that 4x4 is a waste on anything your not willing to dent up or scratch.

my brother needs his 4x4


He pulls the 5th wheel, he needs it when he gets to the sand. So far every where we take that thing it is in the sand....

So I wouldn't say it is a "waste"

I have a GMC 2500HD 4X4 diesel. I need it pulling my gooseneck horsetrailer. Sometimes where I have to pull it, gets really muddy.

I have a Yukon 4WD, and an Explorer 4WD, and I'm here in Nebraska, wouldn't be without it on snow/blizzard days. For the record, I also have an F150 Supercab that is not 4WD, and it stays in the garage when it's snowing because it's useless.

I have a Dodge Dakota 4x4 pickup. I tried driving it in the snow w/o the 4x4 on. Useless. 4x4 is also needed for off road driving (where I go, anyways). Its also useful for pulling stumps out of the ground (need 4x4 low range) and other immovable objects. 4x4 is useless for soccer moms in there SUV's that won't drive in inclement weather that warrants it. Even heavy snow, a FWD with decent tires is enough. I've never been stuck in a FWD (with decent tires). I've been stuck with a FWD with bald tires. Most small pickups that are RWD are useless in the snow, even with weight in the back.

Yeah, sand is a bitch. and you both use your trucks for more then just driving around.