There are lot of 4 wheel drive trucks that never make it off-road. A lot of folks buy them because it's cool and they would be caught dead driving a 2wd and it save the cost of a lift kit. Go figure!

 

Around here (northern IL) dealers don't really stock 2x4 so unless you special order you aren't likely to find a truck equipped the way you'd like as a 2x4.

It's funny to see people say they got the 4x4 for that once in a blue moon 2" of snow they get in Texas. Even here in Chicago it is quite rare that you need to use anything other than 2wd.

 

I live in north Texas. DFW. we had less than a week with temps under freezing this year. Snow is not enough of a reason to have a 4x4. Pulling a boat? No, most boats can be pulled by cars or SUVs that are 2x4s. Added cost. Added weight to push around. Added tire wear. Added repair costs. A 4x4 made about as much since as a 60 below jacket.
All that being said, I play golf with lots of guys that pay $45 for Pro V ***** that they will loose in one weekend of golf. If you need the 4x4 on the fender, spend money you don't have to on an option you may use once in a while. If you want it and will enjoy having it, buy it. It sucks to be making payments on something while wishing you had something else.
I couldn't be happier with my FX2

 

I live in the northeast and we get snow. I also haul dirt bikes and some of those roads to where we park can be challenging. Most can be handled with a 4x2 and good tires but I know I'll be in enough situations where 4x4 will be needed so I went with a FX4. Most dealers in the north will not stock 4x2 even if most customers will only drive it on pavement. The consumer perception of 4x4 is that it will work everywhere and not think about tires (type and condition). I would bet 90% of people that have 4x4 would be fine with 4x2 and good tires.

The resale value comments is true. It cost more up front and you get it back when you sell but it's easier/faster, again because of public perception of 4x4, to sell a 4x4 over a 4x2, especially in the northern states.

As for towing boats, it doesn't help while towing but it helps when you're on a slippery ramp where the front wheels have traction and the rears don't.

 

I chose the fx2 because I knew I would be doing this to it...

 

After my first truck, I had always told myself that I would never have a 2wd with an open diff again. So, it was either a 4x4 or a 2wd with either a limited slip rear end or a locker. I was able to get a locker on my 2wd, so that compromise saved me $3+grand. With the maybe 1 serious snowstorm we get a year, I'll get by fine with 2wd. My dad has 4x4, and he has used it once in 8 years.

How did people get by in the 70's with rear wheel drive? I just think it's so funny how everyone thinks they NEED 4 wheel drive. Tires are the key factor. All 4 wheel drive will do is allow you to get stuck further out in the woods than 2wd!

 

It's good to hear these opinions on 2WD. Ever since I bought my new 2013 XLT 4x2 I've been pissed lol. Cause I really wanted 4x4 but down here in south FL they have mostly 4x2 (especially where I'm at) they only had 4x4 in king ranch, platinum, limited trims when I purchased mine. A week later they got a whole bunch of 4x4 XLT, FX4, Lariat's. Most of which I could probably afford. So my advice is to WAIT and be patient when shopping for a new truck because TRUST ME there will always be awesome ones on the lot they come and go every day. So now I'm stuck with this for a while until next year when I will be losing money and getting exactly what I want... Ill basically be losing my down payment on this one but I don't care because like it has been said it sucks to make payments on something that isn't EXACTLY what you want. I want 4x4 for when I get stuck in the mud or snow up north, I like to off road in 2WD and then use 4x4 as backup. But like its been said I guess we don't "need" 4x4 for every day driving but if you like going wheeling you WILL need it

 

I have to say to the people who say "you dont NEED 4x4 because you will almost never use it." Well to be honest a lot, if not most of the people who buy trucks these days regardless of 2wd or 4wd don't use their trucks as trucks. They consider a couple shopping bags in the bed or a suit case a heavy load and only have a truck for the status of owning a truck. Half of the guys I know spend more time waxing their trucks and worrying about dust then anything and don't even have a tow hitch. I knew a guy who got mad at someone for throwing something in the bed of his truck and scratching the inside of the bed. But in the end it comes down to the fact that its your own money and if you want a truck or car or whatever else if you can afford it and will be happy then why not get it?

 

I find it funny about the washing and waxing. For hours. And then parking in a garage. Never understood that. I know it's expensive but its still a truck. I've owned my truck for 2 yrs 5 months and I think I've washed my truck 4 times. I still have dirt/sand come out of places when it rains.

If I wanted something to wash and wax all the time and not need a truck, I'd buy a used Porsche 997 (about the same as what I paid for my truck).

 

There was no question for me. My old truck I had gotten stuck probably 6-8 times in the almost 10 years I had it (In my defense most of those were with the crappy stock tires) So I need 4wd for both winters, camping and whatnot.