quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Out of curiosity, something wrong with your truck for those occasional snowy mountain trips?

Growing family. We’re at max capacity with 3 small children. Even if we don’t increase the number of people I just can’t seem to get them to stop growing.

Otherwise no, it’s been just great in the snow.

The current Super Duty has 4" more legroom in the rear than the one I have. At one point, I really believed I'd be keeping my truck for at least ten years. At the rate my three are growing, I'm not so sure anymore.

I'd wait for the vehicle you want.

We have owned 3 vans with AWD (Chrysler/Toyota/Toyota) and in addition currently have an Audi and a Tahoe. I have never noticed ANY difference in maintenance and fuel cost is minimal. I would always go with AWD if it is available.

quote:

Originally posted by Flyboyrv6:
We have owned 3 vans with AWD (Chrysler/Toyota/Toyota) and in addition currently have an Audi and a Tahoe. I have never noticed ANY difference in maintenance and fuel cost is minimal. I would always go with AWD if it is available.

Yes, I’m heavily leaning towards AWD “just because@. I posted looking for any big contrarian reasons I wasn’t aware of but so far nothing is a big enough deal to not get it. Do I need it where I live? Absolutely not. My wife will likely never use it. Ever.

But we might need it in the mountains, and the ability to bypass chain restrictions with the proper tires is a big benefit. Last time we were in the mountains we stopped to help a truck who couldn’t make it up a lightly snowed hill (by letting him take our spare chains). We had no problem in 4wd with good AT’s. That’s why I want it.

Besides, a lot of us keep guns around or extra mags in our vehicles “just in case”. Not because we plan or expect to need them but because there might be a time it is. I see that as the same thing, kinda.

So, I’m still looking for major negatives that offset that positive. Extra differential change doesn’t. Lower tire life doesn’t. Gas mileage doesn’t.

Anything else?

AWD=Subaru. The Ascent is in the first year of production but nothing like the Tribeca the say-new global platform and all that. Minivan? The Sienna didn't have the best crash testing. AWD is beneficial in any environment imo.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I love my Subaru too, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you drive it for a number of years the maintenance costs will be 40% or more higher than if you had a car without AWD. So if you live in a climate that doesn't demand AWD just pass.

I’ve been driving Subaru’s for decades and I have never had 40% higher costs. If you are driving it 300-400k miles I could see a difference in cost but not for the average Joe.

quote:

Originally posted by dry-fly:

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
OK maybe in Texas you need AWD for the mud and slick grass?

My point about living in North Texas was that it’s *not* needed, but I still wouldn’t be caught without 4WD/AWD. I don’t see the point in 2WD trucks.

Agreed!

I vote AWD.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I love my Subaru too, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you drive it for a number of years the maintenance costs will be 40% or more higher than if you had a car without AWD. So if you live in a climate that doesn't demand AWD just pass.

I’ve been driving Subaru’s for decades and I have never had 40% higher costs. If you are driving it 300-400k miles I could see a difference in cost but not for the average Joe.

Have several Sub's in the rotation - outside of normal tuneups and maint - nothing to differentiate AWD from a FWD.

My one wheel drive pickup gets stuck in the wet grass in my yard.

The AWD Juke laughs at it as it drives circles around it on the hill.

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I love my Subaru too, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you drive it for a number of years the maintenance costs will be 40% or more higher than if you had a car without AWD. So if you live in a climate that doesn't demand AWD just pass.

I’ve been driving Subaru’s for decades and I have never had 40% higher costs. If you are driving it 300-400k miles I could see a difference in cost but not for the average Joe.

Have several Sub's in the rotation - outside of normal tuneups and maint - nothing to differentiate AWD from a FWD.

We live on a ranch in Florida and often find ourselves off road in soft wet terrain. My wife's AWD Subaru's go through stuff that 2WD pickups get stuck in. We also have not seen any additional maintenance costs. My F250 Super Duty is 4WD and I would not be without it.