4wd or 2wd?

[buggslyf]

hi there! i'm posting on here because i'm less than 24 hours away from driving a new CRV. however, i've been told by my over protective uncle that i should be buying a 4wd because it's safer on the road and you have more control than a 2wd. the dealer that i'm meeting with tomorrow does not have any in stock and can probably get one in the next could months.

my car (97 4runner) went ka-put on me last week and i really want this car. should i wait for a 4wd or go ahead and buy a 2wd? i live in San Diego and we MAYBE have 2 rainy weeks a year and obviously snow is very rare. i don't go off roading (even though i know a little that 4wd doesn't necessarily mean off roading these days).

any opinions anyone can share with me would be greatly appreciated :D

[tsmithvt]

Some members will make the argument that 4WD will get you a quicker resale if you should ever decide to sell. I think it really depends on where you live and where you feel you might end up during the vehicle's life. I have always felt that 2WDs have their place as do 4WDs. The southern states seem to be 2WD heavy just as the northern states seem to be 4WD heavy.

Your description of your vehicle use would seem to favor the 2WD version.:)

[buggslyf]

i would be perfectly satisfied if i can get to and from work during the week, and to and from where ever i'm going to during a nice weekend. i don't go up a lot of hilly terrain or to too many places that have extreme weather. i may decide to drive up to northern california once in a while... but that may not even happen.

i've read a lot on here that the resale of 4wd's are great, but i plan on having this car for a while. i think i'm going to go 2wd, especially since the dealer that i'm going to will give me a fairly good deal.

now, can anyone tell me how i can break the news to my uncle? ;)

[Davecr-v]

No 4wd is a bit overrated but it is essential for resale nothing depreciates faster than a 2wd suv execept a 2wd manual SUV. FWD is fine for most snow driving except getting going which is what real time is good for but honestly a 4wd suv will hold its value

[tsmithvt]

One thing you might mention to your uncle. Your V will be equipped with VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist). The system stretches 2WD quite a bit because it is not only a yaw control system, it is also a traction control system.:)

[buggslyf]

thanks to tsmith and dave! even though you both had differing opinions ;)

this is the first time i've very joined something like this on line, but it's been really helpful from other posts that's i've read.

when i get my V, more than likely tomorrow, i will post some pictures :)

[Davecr-v]

One thing you might mention to your uncle. Your V will be equipped with VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist). The system stretches 2WD quite a bit because it is not only a yaw control system, it is also a traction control system.:)

I agree about VSC I was driving at night a couple months ago upstate the road was covered with 2 inches plus of fresh snow and piling and because it was a country road there were no plows i kept drifting around the road and any steering input led to some sliding trust me the last thing I wanted was power to the back wheels I wished I had VSC. To be honest you don't need 4wd especially living in San Diego it's just resale stuff a lot of people have the misplaced belief that 4wd means automatically you have traction in bad weather that's why when it snows you often see the sides of roads littered with overturned SUV's caused by overconfident drivers and no traction.

[buggslyf]

by the way, Dave, LOVE the cartoon. pretty darn funny. i think i'll be going 2wd and my uncle will just have to rely on me being a careful and cautious driver :rolleyes:

[PINODY]

... when i get my V, more than likely tomorrow, i will post some pictures :) ... and while you're at it, how about a few more of your avatar ;) :cool: 2WD will be fine.

[dlarsoncrv]

Just get the 2WD and welcome to CRV-OC.
Lets see some pictures!!!

[pepollock]

2WD is several hundred pounds lighter and mechanically simpler, so it gets better gas mileage and is peppier on acceleration. Cheaper, too.

[2RedV's]

2WD is several hundred pounds lighter and mechanically simpler, so it gets better gas mileage and is peppier on acceleration. Cheaper, too.No. It is about 120 pounds lighter. You must be thinking of Honda's competitors who have heavy, more complex AWD systems with more moving parts.

As to being cheaper, of course. RTAWD costs $1200 more to buy and is worth $1200 more years later when you sell it. This gets mentioned a lot. It is the only option that retains full value years later.

[PINODY]

No. It is about 120 pounds lighter. You must be thinking of Honda's competitors who have heavy, more complex AWD systems with more moving parts.

As to being cheaper, of course. RTAWD costs $1200 more to buy and is worth $1200 more years later when you sell it. This gets mentioned a lot. It is the only option that retains full value years later.So to clarify and understand this ^ statement ^ better, it means spend $1200 now (only IF you believe you really Need it) and get it back later ... OR ... Don't spend the X-tra $1200 now, and don't get it back later - and possibly make another 2WD searcher happy later.

[2RedV's]

So to clarify and understand this ^ statement ^ better, it means spend $1200 now (only IF you believe you really Need it) and get it back later ... OR ... Don't spend the X-tra $1200 now, and don't get it back later - and possibly make another 2WD searcher happy later.Well, sorta. :)
It is much easier to sell a used AWD one than a 2wd one. Most people get SUV's because of AWD, not in spite of it

[Davecr-v]

I think the RT4WD cant be quantified as an individual part but as a class or package. When I was buying my V the 2wd's were newer, in nicer overall condition, and coasted thousands less it's partially due to location there is more of a need or 4wd in NY then SoCal. To be honest I can't give best answer for this because the only reason I bought the V was it happened to be the only Honda (aside from the Pilot and Ridgeline) with 4wd my entire car search was based on 4 or AWD thats why I looked at Audi's and Subaru's because they were the main non SUV 4wd companies I bought the V because its an SUV which gives it personality and its a Honda so its reliable but also because of 4wd which gets me going in the snow, however, it is low on insurance and fuel cost's. Most people feel an SUV should have 4wd so obviously front wheel drive isn't going to sell to those people for the actual driver there is not much of a difference.

[catsailr]

I use the CRV in my business (land surveying) and I would not want the 2wd. I don't usually drive across fields but I have been places I would be stuck with the 2wd. I have 2 Honda 4 wheelers I use in the mud.

[Davecr-v]

I use the CRV in my business (land surveying) and I would not want the 2wd. I don't usually drive across fields but I have been places I would be stuck with the 2wd. I have 2 Honda 4 wheelers I use in the mud.

I have to disagree with that simply because she is using the car in San Diego I doubt you really need 4wd for that hell I live in NY and I have needed it maybe once this year. I should ask are you financing or leasing that could affect your decision if you are leasing higher resale may not be as important to you as long as your lease terms are good. I prefer 4WD just because I think all SUV's should have it thats kinda the point but thats just me also again if you are living in San Diego you probably never will need it unless you go out of your way to get stuck.

[2RedV's]

In leasing, resale means a lot. The higher the projected resale value, the lower the payments. However, since a 2wd costs $1200 less than a RTAWD and the lease terms are generally 24 months to 36 months, it may not make much difference.

[Davecr-v]

In leasing, resale means a lot. The higher the projected resale value, the lower the payments. However, since a 2wd costs $1200 less than a RTAWD and the lease terms are generally 24 months to 36 months, it may not make much difference.

Thats what I mean if you can get good lease rates its worth it if your financing it's tough to take the depreciation

[jeprox]

i have a 2wd and the car went through its first winter last year.
with the cheap bridgestone tires, i still didn't have any problems in snow or ice.
i guess it really depends on where you live. my area gets snow but not that bad, you can get away with 2wd cars.

i went with 2wd coz it's easier to maintain, cheaper, better on gas.
i didnt think about the resale value coz i plan to keep the car for over 10yrs. :D

[PINODY]

i have a 2wd and the car went through its first winter last year.
with the cheap bridgestone tires, i still didn't have any problems in snow or ice.
i guess it really depends on where you live. my area gets snow but not that bad, you can get away with 2wd cars.

i went with 2wd coz it's easier to maintain, cheaper, better on gas.
i didnt think about the resale value coz i plan to keep the car for over 10yrs. :DIn the past couple of years, because of improved technology (VSA, etc.) there are more and more people just like you ... making old skool 4wd thinkin' overrated! :D

[MistaCleen]

I just happened to get a new '08 V with the 4WD, and I really don't think I could get one with only 2WD. Since I live in MA, especially this winter, there was a MASSIVE amount of snow. I've also got a Mercedes Benz S550 (My dads) and a Volks Touareg, and they both handle very well in the snow. My driveway is pretty steep, so we needed something that could handle a steep slope while covered in ice and snow. Needless to say, the V had no problem whatsoever getting up my driveway, which is really saying something. Any hey, the resale part doesn't hurt either :D

-MC

[devani]

I ended up buying 4WD but made a deposit on 2WD because we waited so long....

[Cocodrie]

We're very happy with the handling of our 2wd CRV. The Gulf Coast region gets lots of rain and slick roads...........no problems.....just drive safely. :)

[X-Brawn]

Honestly, I have yet to test out the "off-road" performance of the CR-V out here in Arizona. I went with 4WD as occasionally my family goes to Colorado to see my oldest brother. Plus, it helps with traction even more so in our torrential monsoons we get out here as well. I had the same base 4WD (AWD) system in my Ridgeline and it was FLAWLESS. I never heard a tire chirp unless I made it do so.