4wd/AWD in Texas

[Shorts]

Why? First...yes i get that in 'Merica we can buy what we want whether we need it or not. Buy a Corvette and make your commute more fun, tear up the track on the weekend or whatever. Buy a 4wd and get crappy mileage, worse handling and come on...way more guys push their Corvettes abilities than 4wd owners do. So its all image and big boy toys if you arent using it for work or really taking it off road.

Even Subarus i dont get here. It doesnt snow. This isnt Colorado.

*anyone who needs it like in construction, oil or ranching and farming exempt.

**Yes i have owned trucks including a 4wd in the midwest where it you know...like actually snows.

Dont run me over in your lifted 4x4 with huge steel bumpers while im zipping around in my small car...K? Thanks!

Sounds like you already know the answer but you just don't like either 1. the way someone else uses it or 2. doesn't actually think they should have what they want.

Does anyone really need a gun?
Does anyone really need hi cap mags?
Does anyone really need semiauto rifles or handguns?
Does anyone really need...?

Come on man. To be free means you have to let others be free. Otherwise you aren't any better than the Pelosis and Feinsteins and everyone else trying to take our guns away from us or tell us what health care plan to buy. Be better than that.

Over the recent years I've realized this myself and there are things I don't like that people do. But I asked myself the same thing I just said to you. If I expect to be free then I have to let others be free. Yes, some things involve me and when they do, I react. Until then, I go about y day to day with the idea of 'go live your life other there and I'll happily live my life over here' sort of way. I guess it the live and let live attitude. I have to, or my blood pressure will cause my eyeballs to pop out of my head.

 

[rsayloriii]

It's all like a firearm, fire extinguisher, parachute, etc. You might not need it NOW, but when you DO need it, and don't have it, you're SOL. Why should I have to wait for a cop, fire fighter, coroner, or tow truck when I'm capable of taking care of the issue at hand IF I have the tools that I need at hand?

There's been more times than I care for that 4wd would have gotten me back on my way, or allowed me to go elsewhere if I had it. Do I need it every day? No. Do I need a truck every day? No. But that's the great thing about this Country. We can do what we feel like doing, so long as someone doesn't get their panties in a bunch over something that doesn't, and never will, affect them and get some feel good legislation passed that infringes on my rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

 

[rsayloriii]

I don't understand why you even ask the original question. That's like asking why someone buys a V6 when a 4 banger would make the car go and why have a corvette if you're not gonna race.


As far as AWD goes, it improves handling in all driving conditions. ESP heavy rain, sleet, and ice. Texas has more ice problems than snow problems. The 4WD can help and has helped me before when there was a lot of skeet on the ground but a lot of people forget that it won't help you stop.

And for those shiny jacked up trucks with oversized wheels and low pro mud tires (completely counterproductive) that never leave pavement. Well, that's all about the pussy.

In high school I was all about lifted trucks and looking for places to use them. Now I don't want the handling of a lifted truck. I didn't have a 4WD for a while and at the time would have fit that "don't need one" category but there were several times I really could have used it.

How many times we gotta tell ya to stay OFF the middle of the gun range ...

 

[Shorts]

Drive whatever the heck you want. Don't be an inconsiderate prick or an aggravating ahole on the road. Those types drive all models and all brands.

 

[breakingcontact]

Im no socialist saying your monster truck should be outlawed. Im just trying to understand the thought process of most people who dont really use them to buy such a machine.

 

[TundraWookiee]

Have you ever seen The Boondock Saints? A 4wd vehicle is my rope.

You don't know what is best for me and perhaps I'd rather have a lifted 4x4 that never sees mud than a Corvette that never sees a track.

My daily driver is actually 2wd and I regret the purchase. The loss of utility isn't worth the minor gains in mileage or anything else. Thank goodness I still have my Jeep.

Sent from Kate Beckinsale's closet.

 

[Shorts]

Im no socialist saying your monster truck should be outlawed. Im just trying to understand the thought process of most people who dont really use them to buy such a machine.

Don't think you are (ETA: I don't say that in a way to antagonize). You're attempting to dismiss each reason why folks say they do (ETA: by using individual reasons and characteristics). Yall went through the safety aspect. Then something about luxury. I know you said you're "trying to understand" but I don't think you really will (ETA: I don't think you will be able to understand if you only focus on specific characteristics because you already have your preferences, which is why you drive what you prefer to drive).

Perhaps instead of the focus being on understanding a particular characteristic of a vehicle, understand people's style, background, history, lifestyle, tastes etc. Make it analogous to firearms that folks select for conceal carry. In choosing a gun more than one single factor is considered. It isn't solely based on capacity. It isn't solely based on size. It isn't solely based on caliber. It isn't solely based on color. It isn't solely based on action type. If it were, every one of us would carrying the same gun.

I think in choosing vehicles, it is similar. (ETAA selection can be based on the spec sheet and characteristics, but personal taste & style and those things that can't be measured also influence vehicle selection.

 

[TundraWookiee]

Let me apply the same question you asked in your original post to little cars like a Civic....why?

I mean it sits lower to the ground and has less visibility, has no real cargo capacity, doesn't fare well on poorly maintained roads.... get my point? The short answer is that there is some overriding factor that the owner decides is more important to them.

Sent from Kate Beckinsale's closet.

 

[breakingcontact]

Nah, im open minded but also analytical. I get the "better to have it it and when you need it" argument to an extent. So i suppose its like insurance in a way.

I suppose part of it comes from experience with poor road conditions in the winter where i found 4wd as nice but not necessary but im not experienced trying to pull a trailer out of a muddy field.

So ill accept the insurance argument, nice to have. But it does to me seem a luxury or a non-necessity for most.

 

[TundraWookiee]

Nah, im open minded but also analytical. I get the "better to have it it and when you need it" argument to an extent. So i suppose its like insurance in a way.

I suppose part of it comes from experience with poor road conditions in the winter where i found 4wd as nice but not necessary but im not experienced trying to pull a trailer out of a muddy field.

So ill accept the insurance argument, nice to have. But it does to me seem a luxury or a non-necessity for most.

So people should only own what is necessary? How big is your tv? I'd wager its a non-necessity but you want it or enjoy it. Thats all you need to justify it. Seems to me that it is almost a jealousy thing. Why not question the guy with the 650 hp Ferrari that just commutes in it?

Sent from Kate Beckinsale's closet.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

I would say its most definitely a luxury for the majority of drivers, I can't say I know many folks that actually NEED it and use it on a regular basis. That being said I'd say roughly 90% of the truck owners I know including myself drive 4WD pick ups, not lifted monster trucks but 4WD non the less. I could probably count the number of times I've used it in a given year on a hand or maybe two but I'm glad I had it when I needed it. It's very expensive and hard to get wrecker out to a hunting lease in the middle of no where. Not to mention I can't pull my bass boat behind a civic and when you're having to launch or retrieve a boat on a muddy or sandy low water ramp like we've been having to do these last couple of years, it sure makes it nice when the rear end starts digging a hole under you. So, necessity.... No not really but it's there when you do need it and sure beats the alternative.

 

[NeckBeard]

So far you guys are 0/2. You are really using them.

Let me expand. I see lifted 4wds all the time around here without a scratch on the body or the fancy rims. Also...lots of rich women running all over from store to store in Suburbans and Lexus SUVs. Why?

This isnt a jealousy thing. If you got the money go buy a Ferrari or Mercedes.

those huge lifted pickups are called "sorry about your penis, bro" vehicles. I am convinced they're owned mostly by people who are compensating for something.

I drive a subaru but only because i lived elsewhere before moving here. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it any not have it. I hate airports so that means i drive everywhere, even to colder/snowier parts of the country.

 

[Younggun]

Try pulling a boat up the ramp when the temps drop below freezing. All that water that was making it a little slick is now ice.

Also, consider some of those luxury cars that pull luxury boats to the lake in the summer. I've seen a lot of people spinning tires on a slick, mossy boat ramp trying to lug the nice boat out of the lake. Flip a switch in that freeway cruising Escalade and suddenly it's a nice smooth pull without leaving 1500 miles worth if rubber on the ramp.


Sometimes the reasons are less obvious, but even without one it doesn't matter. I don't like 4 door jeeps, but some people do so why should I gripe about them. I'm not the one who has to drive it.

 

[Younggun]

How many times we gotta tell ya to stay OFF the middle of the gun range ...

I don't tell you where to drive, I would appreciate the same curtesy.

 

[breakingcontact]

Try pulling a boat up the ramp when the temps drop below freezing. All that water that was making it a little slick is now ice.

Also, consider some of those luxury cars that pull luxury boats to the lake in the summer. I've seen a lot of people spinning tires on a slick, mossy boat ramp trying to lug the nice boat out of the lake. Flip a switch in that freeway cruising Escalade and suddenly it's a nice smooth pull without leaving 1500 miles worth if rubber on the ramp.


Sometimes the reasons are less obvious, but even without one it doesn't matter. I don't like 4 door jeeps, but some people do so why should I gripe about them. I'm not the one who has to drive it.

Whos griping? Im asking questions and pointing out my observations.

Boats have been mentioned several times. A big boat is a luxury. So if a truck is necessary to have a boat, its again a luxury.

I suppose what i grew up with was people who really used their simple (often 2wd) trucks to work and now i see these luxury 4wd mostly being used to play.

 

[Younggun]

Most if what you own is probably a luxury.

I guess we should all get rid of our luxuries and only have the most bare and basic necessities.


Just curious, does your car have power steering, A/C, a radio? Kinda wasteful don't ya think. You really don't NEED those things. And what about those alloy wheels, plain steel would do just fine wouldn't it? And why do so many cars have a spoiler now, they don't need those.

This could go on for pages with things cars don't need and a library worth of books filled with luxuries in other areas of life.


My question is, if it doesn't bother you, you aren't upset, and you won't accept anyone's answers; why did you even ask the question?

 

[breakingcontact]

Most if what you own is probably a luxury.

I guess we should all get rid of our luxuries and only have the most bare and basic necessities.


Just curious, does your car have power steering, A/C, a radio? Kinda wasteful don't ya think. You really don't NEED those things. And what about those alloy wheels, plain steel would do just fine wouldn't it? And why do so many cars have a spoiler now, they don't need those.

This could go on for pages with things cars don't need and a library worth of books filled with luxuries in other areas of life.


My question is, if it doesn't bother you, you aren't upset, and you won't accept anyone's answers; why did you even ask the question?

No. I dont have AC in my car. Of course we could take the luxury logic to the extreme and im not chasing that rabbit.


Ive found some acceptable answers. Its a necessity for very few, a preference and form of insurance for some and a luxury for most.

Ive got what i came here for.

 

[Younggun]

Obviously.

 

[TundraWookiee]

No. I dont have AC in my car. Of course we could take the luxury logic to the extreme and im not chasing that rabbit.


Ive found some acceptable answers. Its a necessity for very few, a preference and form of insurance for some and a luxury for most.

Ive got what i came here for.

Any car is a luxury. This thread was pointless.

Sent from Kate Beckinsale's closet.

 

[breakingcontact]

Any car is a luxury. This thread was pointless.

Sent from Kate Beckinsale's closet.

A discussion about why so many drive 4wd vehicles in Texas when most dont really use the capabilities is pointless? Got it. Next time ill start a 9 vs 40 vs 45 thread, those are much more productive?

Also why comment if you think the thread is pointless?

I didnt even get into the deeper psychology of why people drive what they do and people are already upset.