GM Reviving the Trailblazer. That didn't take long...

[Bubba1]

With the exception of this past winter, Philadelphia winters have getting increasingly mild with very few significant accumulation snow storms. This past winter was milder but we had more than normal snow, so I question the value of buying such a rugged vehicle now unless one has off road ambitions.

I bought my 4 Runner after experiencing the blizzard of '96 in 240SX. It was actually kinda fun sliding around in that car. But I can count on both hands the number of times I've engaged 4WD in that 4 Runner since then, and on one hand the number of times I engaged the low range (for the times I actually went off roading, and then only part of the time because the low range gulps gas). Most of the times I engaged 4WD was for short 200' bursts in the alley behind my house after a blizzard if I want to depart/arrive home before the township plowed the alley. Seems odd to me that many people love to wag their car's tails on dry pavement, but then feel they must get AWD because they're afraid to get the tail to wag in cold wet weather.I'm not so sure I'd buy another truck based SUV again at this point, though I'm not planning on selling my old 4 Runner anytime soon .

[MinisterofDOOM]

Seems odd to me that many people love to wag their car's tails on dry pavement, but then feel they must get AWD because they're afraid to get the tail to wag in cold wet weather.

EXACTLY.

Around here, AWD is really, really popular, but I always feel like people are so terrified of a little snow that they neuter the fun of their car for it. Their are AWD 3 series EVERYWHERE. Same with AWD CTSs and STSs. If it comes in AWD they want it. Which seems silly because, while we do get some nasty winters here, we also get 3 other distinct seasons for which AWD is not needed. Everyone's so scared of RWD it's ridiculous. It makes my dad shake his head, too, and he just points out that when he was my age you didn't have a choice. You just got good tires and learned how to $%^#ing drive.

THAT is really my outlook toward winter: get good tires. That's it.

[Looneybomber]

I personally DO NOT like AWD. You rarely need 4 tires work for you, so the loss in gas mileage doesn't make it worth it...I doubt my family ever owns an AWD. I even made a post a while back looking for a 4wd crossover (for the wife) with more than 300hp back when my income was a lot higher, because all I could find was AWD and I wouldn't have it.

When I want all four tires pulling, I want it to do so when I want it to because it really changes how my explorer handles. The majority of the time I leave it in 2wd and steer with my right foot.