4x2 or 4x4

[shane_c]

I'm thinking that sometime over the next few months I'll look at getting a new vehicle. I'm considering the Pontiac Vibe or the GMC Canyon. If I was to get the Canyon I would get the base model with the crew cab because it's all I'd likely be able to afford. So it'll be a 2.8, 4 cyl, with a 5 spd. The base model is a 4x2. The 4x4 is an option but an expensive one. Do you think 4x4 is really needed around Calgary? I don't do any towing and I don't ski so I'm not out in the mountains in the winter. I take transit to work so it'll mainly be used for running errands and going around different places on the weekends. Does anyone else have a 4x2? How do you find it around the city in the "winter"?

[Barnes]

Don't use the front wheels often but when I need them, Im glad I can. Don't break the bank over it but consider the 4X4 optiion. There's a big hill by my house that I'm always crawling up past people with 4X2 trucks or Sunfires and Civics after a big dump.

[4X4]

I used to have a ford ranger 4x4. I mostly drove in 2x4 because it's better on gas and pretty unnecessary.
I found the

Woo Hoo Iggy gets a goal!!!

I had a toolbox behind the cab that was made out of 5/8 plywood so that helped the weight in the rear. The other thing I did was put a 2x6 across the box cut just right to lean against the back of the wheel wells, then I put two or three sandbags behind the 2x6. The piece of lumber kept the bags from sliding forward.

I rarely used 4x4 in the city. 4x4 is only really necessary for hardcore camping. It makes the truck heavier, it adds a whole bunch of parts that need servicing, and if you have no mechanical skills, it's pretty expensive.


Good tires are a much better winter friend.


The only other advice that I deem important is know how a rear wheel drive vehicle works. Sounds pretty obvious, and kinda is, but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to swing out your arse end and smack the car beside you.

[ricosuave]

dont get the canyon - our work has one and it sucks ass.

go for the vibe, at least you got toyota reliability there.

[shane_c]

I drove a 96 Mustang GT for 1 winter out east so I'm used to a rear wheel drive in the snow. Mind you I thought I was going to die everytime I got behind the wheel and put it away in the winters after that. Considering the car was around 270 hp with tons of torque I'm sure it would be a lot harder to drive than a rear wheel drive 175 hp truck. And also the winters out east are a lot harder than they are here.

Originally Posted by 4X4

I used to have a ford ranger 4x4. I mostly drove in 2x4 because it's better on gas and pretty unnecessary.
I found the

Woo Hoo Iggy gets a goal!!!

I had a toolbox behind the cab that was made out of 5/8 plywood so that helped the weight in the rear. The other thing I did was put a 2x6 across the box cut just right to lean against the back of the wheel wells, then I put two or three sandbags behind the 2x6. The piece of lumber kept the bags from sliding forward.

I rarely used 4x4 in the city. 4x4 is only really necessary for hardcore camping. It makes the truck heavier, it adds a whole bunch of parts that need servicing, and if you have no mechanical skills, it's pretty expensive.


Good tires are a much better winter friend.


The only other advice that I deem important is know how a rear wheel drive vehicle works. Sounds pretty obvious, and kinda is, but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to swing out your arse end and smack the car beside you.

[4X4]

Yea, my first RWD was a older model cutlass with a big engine and performance tires. That taught me how to drive pretty quickly.

One other thing 4x4 wise. Last winter I drove a ford explorer. It had push button 4x4. It was pretty nice to pop it into 4x4 when stopped at a light. After take off, I just popped it back into 2x4. Believe it or not, I really noticed the fuel economy as opposed to the winter prior when I just left it in 4x4 all season.

4x4 gives some people a false sense of security. It doesn't help you anywhere except takeoffs and climbing slippery hills.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Sounds like your budget is somewhat constrained. I'd go with the Vibe and some good ice tires like Michelin X-Ice. In the ice, you'll probably get going and certainly stop better than any 4x4 truck. Those Vibe's can be had quite cheap too, and IMHO, look better than the Toyota Matrix....

[Mightyfire89]

Just my opinion, but anyone who lives in Alberta and buys a two wheel drive pickup is insane. I don't even understand why two wheel drive pickups exist...it's a mental block I have... That being said, I understand a new vehicle is expensive to begin with, and gets moreso when you add 4x4, so in the end, if you think you can do without it, giver. Me? I would sooner go with a used 4x4 instead of a new two wheel drive.

You really don't use it very often, but it's awful nice to have when you need it, and can sometimes actually be the difference between going in the ditch or not, or making it up the icy hill etc.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by 4X4

4x4 gives some people a false sense of security. It doesn't help you anywhere except takeoffs and climbing slippery hills.

Really? I find it also helps on iced up roads. A rear wheel drive on ice is a complete nightmare. You tap the gas and the rear end wants to whip to one side or the other, which can sometimes send you into the ditch...no such worries with a 4x4.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by mightyfire89

Really? I find it also helps on iced up roads. A rear wheel drive on ice is a complete nightmare. You tap the gas and the rear end wants to whip to one side or the other, which can sometimes send you into the ditch...no such worries with a 4x4.

I believe what 4X4 means is there are certain people who drive their 4x4s on icy streets like it's mid July. Agreed you likely have more traction with 4x4 than with would with a RW. You may have more traction if one of the wheels gets traction but if you're on ice, they're all going to slip or at least you're not going to stop as quickly as you would on bare asphalt.

[ken0042]

The one thing people will always say about imports is "they hold their value way better than a domestic." However the flip side of that is you can save a lot of money by buying a 1 year old GM. When I bought my Grand Am I picked up a 1 year old 26,000 KM one for about $10K less than what brand new would be. What that meant was I was able to get all the options I wanted, rather than having to settle. 2 years later I still enjoy my car; instead of thinking to myself that I should trade it in.

Looking at the Canyon, do you really want a 4 cyl. truck? How much do you figure it could haul?

[ricosuave]

the canyon has a saab 5 cyl in it

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

the canyon has a saab 5 cyl in it

That is one of the optional engines. However Shane was saying he couldn't afford it, and would be getting the 4 banger instead.
http://www.gmcanada.com/english/vehi...jsp#Mechanical

[4X4]

Originally Posted by mightyfire89

Really? I find it also helps on iced up roads. A rear wheel drive on ice is a complete nightmare. You tap the gas and the rear end wants to whip to one side or the other, which can sometimes send you into the ditch...no such worries with a 4x4.

You need to put some sandbags in the box... Any RWD with no weight over the rear axle will do this.

Don't want to come off as condescending, but how long have you been driving hte RWD and the 4x4s? Cause I can lay claim to probably 300k in my 11 years of licensed navigation of calgary streets, wintery roads, muddy mountain trails, paths that were barely wide enough for foot traffic, the trans canada highway... Hell, my moniker is 4x4... If anyone should be endorsing the purchase of a 4x4, it's me.

But hte truth is that it's not all that necessary. Snow... Pfft...


Hey, IMO, the biggest reason a non camper should spring the extra couple grand for the 4x4 is for resale value. Once the truck has more than 100k on it, selling a 2x4 becomes difficult. Well, not so much difficult to sell as it is to get a reasonable price.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by shane_c

I drove a 96 Mustang GT for 1 winter out east so I'm used to a rear wheel drive in the snow. Mind you I thought I was going to die everytime I got behind the wheel and put it away in the winters after that. Considering the car was around 270 hp with tons of torque I'm sure it would be a lot harder to drive than a rear wheel drive 175 hp truck. And also the winters out east are a lot harder than they are here.

Been there, done that with both the Mustang GT and the truck.

I was glad that my truck was a 4x4, because I could sure tell the huge difference when the front hubs were not locked in. If you're going to go with the 4x2, be prepared to put a LOT of weight back there to make it even remotely handle decently on snow & ice. Trucks get very wiggly and the rear tires lose traction quickly.

[Tower]

Do what I did and get a personal helicopter.... Jeeves and I have a lot of fun flying over the little people.........

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You need to put some sandbags in the box... Any RWD with no weight over the rear axle will do this.

Don't want to come off as condescending, but how long have you been driving hte RWD and the 4x4s? Cause I can lay claim to probably 300k in my 11 years of licensed navigation of calgary streets, wintery roads, muddy mountain trails, paths that were barely wide enough for foot traffic, the trans canada highway... Hell, my moniker is 4x4... If anyone should be endorsing the purchase of a 4x4, it's me.

.

Well, I'm 35, I've owned somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 vehicles of all types, including at least a half dozen 4x4s, and I currently drive a GMC Sierra 4x4. I've driven across the country a few times during all seasons, in front wheel drives, rear wheel drives and 4x4s. I was a car courier in Calgary in my younger days putting on about 200 kms/day, and I'm currently employed in a job where I average approx 150-300 km/day. I think that qualifies me in the driving experience end of things.
I wouldn't own a non 4x4 pickup. Period. Like I said, it's an awful nice thing to have when you need it.

[zarrell]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

dont get the canyon - our work has one and it sucks ass.

go for the vibe, at least you got toyota reliability there.

I have a 2004 Colorado, which is the Chevy version of the Canyon. I've had it for over 2 years and almost 60,000km. Other than the seats being a tad small and uncomfortable I've had no problems. Mine has the I5, has plenty of power and is good on gas. What don't you like about the Canyon?

[Engine09]

I drove a 2WD pickup for 16 years.

Got stuck twice, both times I was out in less than 10 mins with a small shovel I keep in the back.

I'll never buy a 4WD, waste of money.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by mightyfire89

I wouldn't own a non 4x4 pickup. Period. Like I said, it's an awful nice thing to have when you need it.

Same here...