4X4 vs AWD....for on-road snow/rain driving, is there a difference???...what do you prefer??...<br>if you can back up your opinions with facts/websites, i would appriciate it...<br>thanks, tom

I believe this page here will answer all your questions: <a href=http://www.roadtestonline.com/ftrs/mb-4-wheel-drives-2k-01.shtml target=new>http://www.roadtestonline.com/ftrs/mb-4-wheel-drives-2k-01.shtml</a><\ br><br>Personally, I won't own anything that's AWD....it has to have a Tcase because of how I drive<br><br>Who else agrees with me?<br>David

dave, thanks for the info...<br>the webpage however does not say which is best, awd, part time 4wd or full time 4wd...<br>i am speaking about on-road rain/snow everyday stuff, not off road...<br>i recently had a dealer tell me that awd is just as good as 4wd for on road driving...<br>you say you won't own an awd because of the way you drive...how do you drive??? <br>do you mean because you go off road???<br>thanks...tom

Hey Tim(Tom??), the dealer's right, to a point. An AWD has a viscous coupling, linking the two differentials together, allowing slippage between the two ends. Now, while the newer 4wd's can offer the same thing, it's not recommended to drive around town - wet or dry on the streets - while the 4wd is engaged. It sounds to me, the best for you would be the AWD. I assume you spend most/all of your time ON the road, and not off?<br><br>And to answer your last question, I said I'll never own an AWD because of the way I drive. So yes, I do drive offroad...every weekend in fact, and the places I go, I need the Lo gears in the transfer case that I'll never get from a power splitter that an AWD has. Now, this is nothing to say anything bad about those, it's just not for me. However IF, I were to own a car with awd, I'd say it'd have to be the Subaru WRX....I got to drive one a few days ago, and good God! Nice, for a car....but I don't plan on owning a car either.<br><br>Tim, here's why I can't use an awd - <a href=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=815167&a=12169831&f=0 target=new>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=815167&a=12169831&f=0</a> and <a href=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=815167&a=12480351&f=0 target=new>http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=815167&a=12480351&f=0</a> are both my most recent times out. THIS is why I have to have a transfer case<br><br>BTW, what are you getting that has the AWD in it?<br><br>David

david, i see why you don't want awd!!<br>i have owned a 88 suzuki samari, 89 raider, 90 audi v8 quattro,96 rodeo, and i have a 89 bronco full size which i am selling..<br>i will either get a 96 jimmy slt or 95 tahoe for myself...<br>the awd (maybe) would be for my girlfriend who drives my 93 saab..she likes the 4x4 amigo 5speed. <br>i would love to get her that new wrx, but have to wait for it used...i looked at the merc mountaineers and olds bravada's for her and was surprised to see they were awd.. <br>head wise i feel better in a 4x4 than an awd..but if there is no "on road" difference i can get her a awd if necessary with a clear concience...<br>thanks, tim (real name tom..don't ask)