Used Truck - Do I need 4 x 4?

[coopns]

Considering two used GMC Sierra 2006:

1. 06 12.8K price and 102K miles 4 x 4
2 06 9.5k price and 139K miles no 4 x 4

Live in MA. Don't drive far to work 20 slow miles. Is it worth the extra money? Both trucks are sharp looking.

Advice/recommendations?

 

[skyactiv]

You don't need it if driving on pavement. Get the RWD truck. Buy 6-60 LB sand tubes at the Home Depot for $5 each and put in the bed when snow is predicted.

 

[Olas]

20 miles of slow commute doesn't necessitate a working vehicle or an off road capable vehicle, I suggest you save 5 or 6 grand on the purchase price and buy something lighter, more fuel efficient.

Accord/Camry/Focus/Jetta etc. the saving on the purchase price alone will pay gas, maintenance and repairs for the next few years!

 

[buck91]

For me, if I didn't need/want (ok, want) 4WD I would go with a 1/2 ton or larger van.

 

[Kira]

^^^What the Manchestarian said. Kira

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

You seem to get pounded with snow in the winters. If you are going to get a truck and can afford the 3 extra grand get the 4x4. I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".

After the last few winters we've had in southern OH, I won't buy anything else but a 4x4 from now on.

 

[Falken]

First question I'd ask is:

Do you really need a Truck.

For most people the answer is no.

Do you want a truck?

Then get the 4x4 if you have heavy snow. But you'd be truly amazed what a 4x2 can do, unless you go hunting on unplowed roads etc.

Personally I'm not a pickup person. Light rear end and exposed storage. I'd go for a reasonable SUV if I was looking to spend.

 

[hattaresguy]

Get a 4x4, RWD trucks are painful in the snow, a lot of them have an open rear end as well which is even more painful.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: coopns
Advice/recommendations?


You need to look in the glovebox on the "Service Parts Identification" tag and see if code G80 appears.

If not, the 2WD is really only one wheel drive; with the weight distribution here, even wet grass on a flat lot becomes an impediment running street tires.

 

[hattaresguy]

Yep, without the G80 you learn to fear wet grass and any slight incline.


I used to drop off wood cutoffs in my buddies back yard and had to really pick the days so I wouldn't rip up his grass, getting up a 10% grade with a 1wd truck on street tires is hard when its even slightly wet. With 1,900 pounds in the back it really helped but once you unload it you have to still get back up and out.

Now I just hit the magic 4 lock button and go right up no drama, priceless! I can even stop which with the 1wd truck was a death sentence.


Having said that if its a service or company truck I'd get 2wd to save money, they simply won't go out in the snow and their usage area would be limited. I don't want to give them a chance to track mud and tear up a job site with 4wd.

 

[mrsilv04]

I have a 2 wheel drive truck (with G80) and I've found that I really only use 4 wheel drive about 5 days out of the year.

If I really felt that I needed 'more', I'd spend $500 on 4 steel wheels and some winter tires. But after 10 years, I still haven't done it.

 

[KzMitch]

Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".

After the last few winters we've had in southern OH, I won't buy anything else but a 4x4 from now on.


If you drive in snow, you won't regret buying a 4x4.

I'm done with 2wd and front wheel drive.
Unless a smoking' deal falls in my lap, we own only 4x4, and AWD.

Yeah yeah, I know, some of you are in your easy chair yapping, "if you can drive in snow, 2wd is all you need."
And you can pound your chest all you want how you drive uphill through a foot of snow in an IROC-Z with bald Goodyear Eagles or an El Camino with dry-rotted bias-ply Wide Ovals while staying ahead of traffic.

I assure you, I can drive a car in snow.
But after 30+ years of driving in the white stuff, I've noticed that its far easier, for me at least, with 4x4 or AWD thankyouverymuch.

 

[Jetronic]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: coopns
Advice/recommendations?


You need to look in the glovebox on the "Service Parts Identification" tag and see if code G80 appears.

If not, the 2WD is really only one wheel drive; with the weight distribution here, even wet grass on a flat lot becomes an impediment running street tires.


Actually, an open diff means either 2 wheel drive, or no drive... can't have it any other way

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: coopns
Do I need 4 x 4?


That's a question that only you can answer. No one here knows what your drive is like, the amount of snow you get, and your terrain. Just think about it, and if you feel you need 4X4 or simply want 4X4 for the added security in snow, then by all means buy the 4X4. If your commute/terrain is well plowed in the winter before you get out and you're comfortable with that, then get the 2 wheel drive.

 

[Silverado12]

The G-80 is a must if you drive in any snow at all. From my experience, nothing is worse than a 2WD pickup truck in the snow. If you have a front wheel drive car for the snow, then 2WD in the truck doesn't matter.

 

[Andrew1972]

Without lsd and 2wd an icy parking spot at one wheel with other on pavement with any incline is a challenge......

 

[silveravant]

2wd with snow tires is better than 4wd with all seasons. Sometimes stopping and turning is helpful. When driving in heavy snow the most common vehicle in the ditch is a 4wd SUV or truck. Could go just fine, maybe too well, just couldn't stop or turn.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: coopns
Considering two used GMC Sierra 2006:

1. 06 12.8K price and 102K miles 4 x 4
2 06 9.5k price and 139K miles no 4 x 4

Live in MA. Don't drive far to work 20 slow miles. Is it worth the extra money? Both trucks are sharp looking.

Advice/recommendations?


In 99.999999999999999999999% of uses, you do not need a 4WD truck. Saving $3200 means it's a no-brainer. A set of winter tires are a lot cheaper than $3200.

 

[Chris142]

Depends on what you use it for. If your just going to home depo on sunny days then a 2wd is fine.

If your like me and you haul a trailer full of atv's out into the desert and you keep your driveway rough to help keep rif raf out then you need a 4x4.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
You seem to get pounded with snow in the winters. If you are going to get a truck and can afford the 3 extra grand get the 4x4. I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".

After the last few winters we've had in southern OH, I won't buy anything else but a 4x4 from now on.


I had no trouble in my Dakota last winter (you know: the worst in 30+years), and most would call that short-wheelbase, high-torque 2WD pickup the WORST possible vehicle for snow.