Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis and Susan Daley
Is a 4x4 absolutely necessary?
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This topic has been debated several times on here since I joined just a couple months ago. You just opened the classic can of worms! My answer which is absolutely sure to be countered is: No, it isn’t a requirement but there are a lot of very good (and as you will see debatable) reasons to go with it.
The additional cost is very small
Resale is exceptionally good
No difference in maintainence costs
No difference in ride on NEW models
4x4 does NOT sit any higher that 2x4 on NEW models. Yeah 20 years ago they did.
In many areas of the country (certainly in the South and around oilfield or farming country) there simply are not a lot of 2x4 trucks at the new car dealerships. It is often the case that you will have to special order a 2x4 and that will end up costing you more. That's especially true if you want the higher end trim packages and almost a certainty if you want a tow package.
Likewise, they can be a little more difficult to sell in areas where 4x4s are king (there will definitely be folks argue that point but remember I said in "certain areas").
Like a parachute, great to have if you need it but you will regret if you don’t
Your gonna hear a worn out old adage from the detractors that 4x4 will only get you stuck deeper in the woods. That is only true if your a redneck mudhogger. Used wisely, 4x4 can in many cases can get you out of a bind!
There will be those that will also argue that you will never need 4x4 if you don't got into areas where you typically expect to use it (IE: muddy roads, the woods, ice/snow etc...). I will counter that there have been times when it was handy to have 4x4 just to help pull out of a given area (like say a soft gravel camping spot after an unexpected rain, just to pull up a steep hill, or launch a boat or something). You don't have to be a wild mud runner to occasionally use 4x4. There have been a lot of times when I would have had to have someone else pull me out of an UNEXPECTED situation if it hadn't been for that shift on the fly knob on the dash!
I have worked for two major oilfield companies. The fleet managers for both (who bought thousands of vehicles) would not even consider 2x2 for ANY vehicle that had a4x4 option! Not because of the rough duty but because of resale value. I’ll defer to that level of expertise any day of the year!
In the end it is your money and no one knows your situation better than you but I can't think of single good reason NOT to get a 4x4. I for one will never ever buy a truck without it because of those UNEXPECTED situations that crop up more often than you might think!