2wd vs 4wd

Gdetrailer wrote:
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Yep, folks now days think 4x4 is the only way to do things..

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That's the problem with this topic - there is more than 1 way to skin a cat. People always ask if 4wd is "needed", and for most scenarios, it is a matter of opinion. I "need" it to get my 5-er out in the sand, whereas you aren't interested in going out in the sand. Neither answer is wrong, just different wants and "needs".

Gdetrailer wrote:
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By the way, 4x4 on ice, doesn't stop you any faster.. Every year I see many 4x4s sliding off icy roads planting their vehicles in such ways you really wonder just how they did it..

4x4 often gives folks overconfidence and they find themselves in far more trouble far quicker than one would expect

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4wd does improve braking on ice, but it also gives some people overconfidence. Those two are not mutually exclusive. Having the others 3 wheels locked to the 4th wheel with less traction will keep it from locking up, and will do a better job that ABS.

Gdetrailer wrote:
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Resale.. by the time I am ready to give up on a vehicle it is done, totally worn out with high mileage.. I have a 2003 F250 with 5.4 right now that has 200,000 miles on the clock, with that mileage resale on 4x2 is around $5K, 4x4 would be $6.5K, a difference of $1.5K which is less than half of what 4x4 option would have cost back then

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Similarly - the financial aspect is subjective as well. People keep their tow vehicles different lengths of time, some buy new, others buy used. Some people pay for high-dollar dealer service whereas others do it themselves. Some people place a significant value on the extra insurance 4wd provides, others have no use for it.

My opinion is that I need 4wd because it takes me places that I want to go, and couldn't otherwise go with a 2wd. Others have different opinions.