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4WD useful in TX for daily driver?

Discussion in 'Texas' started by drewcwsj, Sep 30, 2007.

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  1. drewcwsj

    drewcwsj Rookie

    Apr 7, 2007
    32
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Drew Childress
    #1 drewcwsj, Sep 30, 2007
    I am about to buy my GF a new Lexus RX350 before we move to Austin. Up here in Chicago everyone gets the 4WD version. Seems like in TX that is a complete waste. Should I change my order to 2WD? Oh and an added benefit of 2WD is about 200 pounds lighter than 4WD and $2k cheaper.
     
  2. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    24,905
    Dallas, TX
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    Jim E
    #2 jimpo1, Sep 30, 2007
    You've got it right. My last 2 SUV's (Tahoe and Suburban) were 4x4's. When I bought my latest, I saved myself a few grand and bought 2 wheel drive. You don't need it here.
     
  3. Bimmerista

    Bimmerista Formula 3

    Feb 7, 2004
    1,765
    Carrollton, TX
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    Mike
    #3 Bimmerista, Sep 30, 2007
    Definitely don't need a 4WD here...especially in Austin
     
  4. drewcwsj

    drewcwsj Rookie

    Apr 7, 2007
    32
    Austin TX
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    Drew Childress
    #4 drewcwsj, Sep 30, 2007
    Thanks that is what I thought.
     
  5. f1_nix

    f1_nix Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 12, 2005
    2,184
    Ft. Worth, TX
    #5 f1_nix, Sep 30, 2007
    My front wheel drive RX300 sometimes has problems on steep slick surfaces as weight transfers to the back. It would not happen if it were rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.
     
  6. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sep 5, 2001
    26,465
    Panther City, Texas
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    WJHMH
    #6 WJHMH, Sep 30, 2007
    Only if you live or work on a ranch.
     
  7. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Nov 26, 2001
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    #7 GrigioGuy, Sep 30, 2007
    Been here 39 years, never owned a 4x4. Just FYI
     
  8. ChunkyMonkey

    ChunkyMonkey Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2006
    1,582
    Texas, duh
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    Chad
    #8 ChunkyMonkey, Sep 30, 2007
    Wife and I just bought our first awd car. We purchased an MaxdaSpeed6 at the beginning of August. We were really just interested inthe 6 speed and turbo, the awd was a standard feature with the MS6.
     
  9. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Dec 1, 2000
    63,974
    Southlake, TX
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    Rob Lay
    #9 rob lay, Sep 30, 2007
    I only use it because I hunt and fish a bunch. I would still be out in the pasture today 20 miles from any town if not. Never use it otherwise though.
     
  10. Chris Taylor

    Chris Taylor Karting

    Aug 11, 2004
    122
    Elroy, TX
    #10 Chris Taylor, Sep 30, 2007
    It would be fun the once every 2 years it "snows", but RWD is probably 2x as fun then, anyway. ;)
     
  11. Duck_Hollywood

    Duck_Hollywood Formula Junior

    May 21, 2006
    326
    Dallas, Tx
    #11 Duck_Hollywood, Oct 1, 2007
    having had a Discovery and now a Range Rover, I dont think I will ever buy a 2WD SUV. Whole point of owning an SUV is so you can do SUV things. Ice is not that big a problem, but when it rains in Texas, it poors! AWD makes a difference in the rain
     
  12. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
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    Austin, Texas
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    #12 TexasMike, Oct 1, 2007
    Yep, we have lots of flash floods here in Austin.
    We use 4WD's when we go hunting or camping and they always come in handy. If you live in the city you probably won't need it but if you have any land in the Hill Country you'll definitely want a 4WD.
     
  13. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    #13 jknight, Oct 1, 2007
    I live in central Texas and both my Chevy diesel trucks are 4x4's - wouldn't have it any other way (but then I don't live in the city). I use my 4x4's - there not just for looks.

    Carol
     
  14. hcj

    hcj Rookie

    May 17, 2006
    24
    #14 hcj, Oct 1, 2007
    i doubt your gf will ever need the awd version of the rx, but like they have said during the rain it could be helpful, even just a light sprinkle here will make the roads slick with all the dirt and oil. my father has the awd rx400h and uses it at our ranch on the maintained roads and it does alright
     
  15. drewcwsj

    drewcwsj Rookie

    Apr 7, 2007
    32
    Austin TX
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    Drew Childress
    #15 drewcwsj, Oct 1, 2007
    Thanks for the feedback to all. Unfortunately I just heard back from the dealer that Lexus does not ship 2WD RXs to the Chicago region. So I guess we'll have it just in case we ever decide to go off roading.

    Thanks again,

    Drew
     
  16. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
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    #16 agup48, Oct 3, 2007
    Not trying to be a smart ass, but why are you buying it in Chicago when your going to have to transport it to Austin and you can get the 2wd, as you said lighter and cheaper. Unless you are driving it down.
     
  17. drewcwsj

    drewcwsj Rookie

    Apr 7, 2007
    32
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Drew Childress
    #17 drewcwsj, Oct 3, 2007
    because my gf would never trust her furs or jewelry to a mover. So she will drive down with all her precious items.
     
  18. justhrowit

    justhrowit Formula 3

    Feb 12, 2004
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    #18 justhrowit, Oct 3, 2007
    Ditto!
     
  19. exproject

    exproject Karting

    Sep 9, 2006
    106
    Denton, TX
    Full Name:
    Cameron R.
    #19 exproject, Oct 7, 2007
    Nah, 4WD isn't necessary. Usually once every winter it will ice over, but thats not enough to merit needing 4WD, just needs either a precise foot or being good with opposite lock.
     
  20. Houston348

    Houston348 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2006
    2,297
    #20 Houston348, Oct 8, 2007
    4 wheel drive is a waste unless you plan on going off road
    unless you buy a sweet yellow jeep with a 4'' lift and 33x12.5 tires like i have... all for the looks lol
     

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