We get along fine in our carolla, it doesn't get much less like a 4wd car than that . They do a pretty good job keeping the roads plowed here when it snows. It's not like Seattle where the whole city shuts down for 2 inches of snow.

Cougy_Monster wrote:

4WD still stops like 2WD, but studded tires stop like a lock-down cover corner.

Great job bringing in FB to this thread.

Short_Changed wrote:

Depends on where you live really. If you're living on the bench or on a pretty big hill 4WD will be very beneficial, if not then don't worry about it.

It's nice to have if you go up to Sundance or Park City. I used mine around the county 9-10 times this winter but I live in the foothills in South County right at the snow line.

Cougy_Monster wrote:

The key is to get studded tires in the winter. That will do more for you than 4WD. I would blow past the trucks in the canyon with my cleats on my car, even in big snow storms. Just buy the studded tires and pay the $80 or so to get them put on and balanced every winter and store them in your garage the other 3 seasons.

Or have them mounted on a spare set of wheels so you can swap them out yourself at the change of season.

My take is this, if you have to ask if you need a 4x4, you probably don't need one. Those who need them really know that they really need them.

BTW I cried last month when gas prices forced me from the Jeep to the sedan....

Tyler1830 wrote:

I second what everyone else has said. Sure there are a couple days each winter when 4WD is nice to have, but in my opinion it's not worth the extra $. It's Utah County, not Minnesota.

I've lived in Minnesota for the past 5 years since graduation, and though Minnesota snows more than Provo, they do a lot better job plowing during snow storms here than they ever did in Utah. I've never needed anything more than FWD here in Minnesota--and I don't think my traction control kicked in all winter despite having 3-4 storms that dumped between 6" to 12" on us.

To answer the original question, I'd agree that FWD will generally be sufficient in Utah Co., especially if you have some good all weathers (or switch to snow tires in Dec).