4x2 or 4x4
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 69
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From: Minnesota
Nicely said polarbear!! I would also like to add that I don't understand why 4x2's cost less to insure than 4x4's other than the cost difference itself. Surprisingly enough, I haven't had to insure one so I don't know. I would think the opposite in MN as those in 4x2's have a greater chance of sliding into the ditch in the winter and wreaking their trucks or getting hurt. Anybody out there an ins agent who could enlighten us all???
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 348
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I'm not an Ins agent, but my guess is they figure you own a 4x4 so your going to be four wheeling with it. Four wheeling normally means more Ins Claims.
4x4's can get you going in ice, snow and mud etc. But I'm not sure you can stop any faster with a 4x4.
4x4's can get you going in ice, snow and mud etc. But I'm not sure you can stop any faster with a 4x4.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by tmoney67
Nicely said polarbear!! I would also like to add that I don't understand why 4x2's cost less to insure than 4x4's other than the cost difference itself. Surprisingly enough, I haven't had to insure one so I don't know. I would think the opposite in MN as those in 4x2's have a greater chance of sliding into the ditch in the winter and wreaking their trucks or getting hurt. Anybody out there an ins agent who could enlighten us all???
1. They cost less initially
2. They cost less to repair
3. They are worth less if totaled or stolen (and less likely to be stolen)
4. They generally sit lower and are less prone to rollover
5. They are generally in fewer accidents (people don't get them out in bad weather just to see if they will go-also, have you noticed that most of the vehicles in the ditch during and after a bad storm are 4X4 because people don't know how to drive them and don't realize they don't stop any better than anything else?)
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,393
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Originally Posted by osbornk
4X2s are cheaper to insure for several reasons (some in insurance think)
1. They cost less initially
2. They cost less to repair
3. They are worth less if totaled or stolen (and less likely to be stolen)
4. They generally sit lower and are less prone to rollover
5. They are generally in fewer accidents (people don't get them out in bad weather just to see if they will go-also, have you noticed that most of the vehicles in the ditch during and after a bad storm are 4X4 because people don't know how to drive them and don't realize they don't stop any better than anything else?)
1. They cost less initially
2. They cost less to repair
3. They are worth less if totaled or stolen (and less likely to be stolen)
4. They generally sit lower and are less prone to rollover
5. They are generally in fewer accidents (people don't get them out in bad weather just to see if they will go-also, have you noticed that most of the vehicles in the ditch during and after a bad storm are 4X4 because people don't know how to drive them and don't realize they don't stop any better than anything else?)
Excellent summary, osbornk!
Number 5 is the one we see every day out in the desert... Guys with 4x2 seldom drive down into the dry river sand 'just because they can' and thus don't have to be towed out near as often, and when was the last time you saw a 4x2 with the paint scrapped off the side from 4 wheelin by a bush?
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
"Guys with 4x2 seldom drive down into the dry river sand 'just because they can'"
Is that because.......they can't?
osbornk- ever think that the reason you see 4X4's in the ditch during snowstorms is because the 2WD's are in the garage?
I know, I know...the 4WD's really don't stop any better- but it's still darned hard to come up with a sensible reason not to have one if you live in an area where it could prove useful.
Honestly, the reason I sound so biased is that I've watched our southern neighbors move up here for decades, bringing their 2WD PU's and SUV's along with them. The very first storm that hits, they make two key discoveries:
1. The snow is really wet and sloppy up here and
2. We've got hills. Hills that would qualify as ski resorts in other parts of the country.
3. All you have to do is travel 50 miles East or West and you'll be at 5,000 top 7,000 ft elevation...or in the middle of the Columbia Gorge, a nortorious weather engine.
Is that because.......they can't?
osbornk- ever think that the reason you see 4X4's in the ditch during snowstorms is because the 2WD's are in the garage?
I know, I know...the 4WD's really don't stop any better- but it's still darned hard to come up with a sensible reason not to have one if you live in an area where it could prove useful. Honestly, the reason I sound so biased is that I've watched our southern neighbors move up here for decades, bringing their 2WD PU's and SUV's along with them. The very first storm that hits, they make two key discoveries:
1. The snow is really wet and sloppy up here and
2. We've got hills. Hills that would qualify as ski resorts in other parts of the country.
3. All you have to do is travel 50 miles East or West and you'll be at 5,000 top 7,000 ft elevation...or in the middle of the Columbia Gorge, a nortorious weather engine.
Last edited by polarbear; Sep 5, 2005 at 09:33 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 12
From: Wichita Falls TX
This thread reminds me of the one asking which is better, SuperCab or SuperCrew. One is not better than the other, both have their strengths and weaknesses based on need and use. Glad there is a choice. Same with this. If you have the need for a 4X4, then that is what you should buy, and if you only need a 4X2, get that. Ford makes a heck of alot of both, so we can all buy the one we want.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Originally Posted by Eric Landstrom
I also live in Minnesota and hold that most people driving 4x4s are victims of good marketing. With a limited slip, a 4x2 gets around just fine while being less expensive to insure and operate.
My experience is: given the appropriate slick conditions which are fairly common in a lot of areas in the U.S. (previously-mentioned oil on roads from new rain as well as snow/ice) there is a substantial difference in traction between two- and four-wheel drive systems, even when the two-wheel drive systems have a limited slip differential.
As long as one is willing to drive gingerly, many times a two-wheel drive system can provide enough traction. But most people end up in trouble when they overestimate the available traction of their 2WD vehicle.
If traction was my priority, I would choose from the following in descending order of preference:
All-wheel drive
4WD ESOF
4WD MSOF
Front-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
An easy way to test how well 4WD works for you is to try driving without it. When your back tires spin or the rear slides out on you, then you'll know when 4WD probably would have helped.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Originally Posted by osbornk
4X2s are cheaper to insure for several reasons ...
Anyone who has questions or doubts about insurance prices can do the same or check with their own insurer.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 93
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I second.
As the couple of quotes I did for myself, the thing is:
for r/c, 4X4 is $30 cheaper,
for s/c, 4X4 is $4 higher,
for s/crew, 4X4 is $20 cheaper.
So I think it's reasonable that the benefit from safety of 4X4 overwhelms the off road risk for r/c and s/crew.
And for s/c 4X4, relatively more people go off-roading and risky driving, but the risk still almost evens out with the 4X4 safety benefit, or averagely probably better driving skills on road by these drivers.
These are just guesses. I believe the ins diff comes from statistic outcome.
As the couple of quotes I did for myself, the thing is:
for r/c, 4X4 is $30 cheaper,
for s/c, 4X4 is $4 higher,
for s/crew, 4X4 is $20 cheaper.
So I think it's reasonable that the benefit from safety of 4X4 overwhelms the off road risk for r/c and s/crew.
And for s/c 4X4, relatively more people go off-roading and risky driving, but the risk still almost evens out with the 4X4 safety benefit, or averagely probably better driving skills on road by these drivers.
These are just guesses. I believe the ins diff comes from statistic outcome.
Originally Posted by timhood
This is an old myth that may have been true at one time, but is no longer. I checked into this before buying my F-150. It was really easy to go to progressive.com and get a quote for both 4x2 and 4x4 F-150's. Exactly $0 difference in price.
Anyone who has questions or doubts about insurance prices can do the same or check with their own insurer.
Anyone who has questions or doubts about insurance prices can do the same or check with their own insurer.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
There's no way those trucks on dealers' lots r gonna increase in value as year end is closing. Don't you think so?
Probably Ford wants to keep those trucks because they love their products too much to reluctantly sell them away. The inventory of F150 in my area hasn't stopped increasing yet.
Probably Ford wants to keep those trucks because they love their products too much to reluctantly sell them away. The inventory of F150 in my area hasn't stopped increasing yet.
Originally Posted by drogers100
More confused than ever! And now that I have procrastinated so long it has cost me at least $500 in the rebates that where being offered. Oh well!
