4x4 driving experience

Questions and Answers

Anyone out there been on one of these 4x4 off-road driving experiences?

Q) What are they like? Any good? I'd love to hear your experiences.

A) I've not done one of htose, but I used to drive in RTV off road competitions on weekends, absolutely brilliant. if you've never driven off road take any chance you can. it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

I am considering driving to the Alps to go skiing will I need winter tyres or snow chains?

Q) I am planning to go to Megeve around Christmas time and will be driving a 4X4 which I thought would be OK but I am now having doubts! Has anyone had any experience of driving there and are the roads generally clear and easy to drive on?

A) You'd be better off with snow chains, as you can remove these when your holiday is over.

anyone have any experiences with driving on the sandy 4x4 beaches above corolla NC?

Q) We are renting a house in that area and i want to ensure we are fully prepared for what to expect.

A) It's great. Good idea would be a tow rope, small plug in aircompressor if you plan on airing down your tires for better traction, and watch the tide.

Can anyone give me tips for buying a 1999 Ford F150 Extended Cab 4x4, Tips and what to watch out for?

Q) I am planing to buy an 1999 Ford F150 Ext Cab with 4x4, XLT or Larient Trim. I have $8-$12K to spend, i'd prefer to buy it at around 8K. The truck will have around 100-140K miles. I am looking for a reliable truck that will be able to do everything. Is this truck a good choice for the millage that it has? Also, can you guys give me some tips to check out when I go for a test drive/check out the truck. I have consumer reports and have been looking at various Ford websites for tips, but I would like to see what you guys have to say from your experiences. Is it worth it to get the 5.4L V8 over the smaller, one because of similar gas millage? I don't plan to haul trailers. I plan to use the truck as an everyday driver and also road trips across a couple of states. What are some common problems these trucks experience at the stated millage? What are some red flags to look out for? Thanks. Im in PHX, Arizona if that helps.

A) Good truck. The 5.4 is a good work horse and like you mentioned, not pulling a trailer that motor will not disappoint you. If I knew where your approximate location was I could give you some pricing info, but I bet you have done that yourself. I really think properly maintained that Truck can last many, many seasons and be a joy to drive.

Does anyone drive a Chevy Trailblazer 4X4?

Q) We're thinking about buying one and we would like to know what kind of gas mileage they get. I don't want the average mileage from the road tests done by chevy or comsumer reports or something like that. I'd like to know from real experience.

A) I have a 2003 and it's a great vehicle, I have 38,000 miles on it and have replaced nothing but the ordinary wear items like air filter and fuel filter, it has had 1 recall for brake lights and they fixed that. It does use some gas as any 4 wheel drive vehicle will but not really bad enough to get rid of it, I drive to Columbus Ohio from where I live and it takes me 1/2 tank of gas and it's 200 miles and I believe it's a 25 gal. tank on it.

People who have had both AWD and FWD, please...?

Q) I understand the difference between AWD and FWD, but have not had the driving experience in adverse weather conditions. Is AWD worth the extra cost and reduced mpg? I am getting an '08 Taurus, and will occasionally be driving in snowy and icy conditions. I'm used to 4X4 and RWD. Thanks for sharing your experience...

A) my wife has a awd subaru...we love it....if u can afford the lower gas milage.get it..we live in VA mountains

what are your thoughts on buying a FWD V's 4X4?

Q) Hello everyone I'm interested in a small SUV Ford Escape XLT v6 to be exact. I live in NYC and thats the most extream driving condition i have to deal with. some people suggest that i go with the 4x4 model while others suggest the FWD. Its about 2 G's different in price. A part of me is saying go for the FWD model but another little voice said do the 4x4 you might need it. My question to you is do you think its woth paying the extra money for the 4x4 option? also please don't start comparing to other cars bashing ford i really dont care lets just stick to the main question. am looking for solid info 4x4 owners and FWD owners tell me about your personal experience.

A) It is my op-ion that if you have to drive to be somewhere the 4x4 s the best. If you can stay home then a fwd or 2 wheel will be good. Let the road crew do their job

What kind of used vehicle should I purchase?

Q) $4,000 tops. My preferences right now are Toyota, Subaru Legacy (because of the All-Wheel Drive - I live in a snowy state), or perhaps a Ford Ranger 4x4 (I don't need a big truck, I'm trying to save on gas). What would you buy? Toyota's have always needed less maintenance in my experience. Thanks! I should add, I'm not really looking for a truck. Sedans mostly. Corolla, Malibu, Civic, etc. But will consider smaller trucks. I'd even consider an older Mercedes.

A) Avoid the Ford Ranger at all costs. I had three in my day and all of them were nothing but trouble. Never again.

Problems with the dome light on 2003 Toyota Tacoma?

Q) My dome light only works some of the time. I drive a 2003 Extended Cab Tacoma with 4x4 TRD and SR5. I looked at the holder and that could be a problem, but I couldn't get it to work no matter how I worked with it. Does anybody have experience with this problem? It works some of the time, no matter what setting it is on. Also, I have flipped it over to the "ON" position and tried all the stuff and still no luck.

A) possible weak connecton,bulb need replaced,broken or short in wireing,or weak on/off switch.usely if you take to a toyota dealership drive to serivice area some times they can help with consern.

My early 80's Chev K20 Suburban will not go into 4x, it has auto front hubs, what may be the problem?

Q) The drive shaft turns when it is in 4x and doesn't turn when its in 2w drive. So there seems to be power going to the front when the 4x is engaged. But the wheels aren't getting power. The unit had been sitting for about 3 years, could the auto hubs be fouled up with corosion causing them to stick and not engage? The unit has a standard transmission. I have no experience with 4x4's, maybe I am not engaging the 4x properly? If anyone has any experience with these vehicles I would sure like to hear from you. Thanks

A) It sounds like the hubs. Does it make any noise? Jack the front up....drop the rear drive shaft, put in 4wd and observe the front tires moving. Shut off truck and put in park or 1st gear on standard and hand turn the front tire with one on the ground. See if you can feel it "give". See if the drive shaft turns when it gives. If the drive shaft doesn't turn, you need to open up the front diff and check the spider gears when you do this test. If the spider gears don't move then it's the hub, if they do, it's somewhere in the pinion or the limited slip clutch. Good luck.

HOW RELIABLE? 2000 Jeep : Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4?

Q) Im looking into buying a 2000 Jeep : Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with 98,000 miles on it, it has a brand new A/C and brakes, with tires at 80% tread life left, and i get a one year 10,000 mile warranty. The asking price is $5,995. So my question is HOW GOOD OF A DEAL IS THIS? Is this going to be reliable enough to drive well for another 20,000 miles? If you own this SUV let me know your experience. Thanks.

A) GREAT I have a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 and is has 270,000 miles. Best Car of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pavones Costa Rica?

Q) Hi! Has anyone driven to Pavones? We are planning a surf trip in June and would like to experience Pavones. We usuall rent a 4x4 and drive everywhere but I have heard it is a difficult track to Pavones. For anyone familiar witn Costa Rica we drove from Tamarindo to Mais Pais last year, we drove straight down and it was quite difficult, also Negra can be a tough drive at times, how will Pavones compare? Im trying to put it in perspective and decide if we should just pay someone to take us. Any help is appreciated.

A) For directions to, as well as current conditions in and on the way to Pavones email Alan "Capt.Zero" Weisbecker or you can use the email at the bottom of the Pavones page. http://www.pavones.com/ Have a great trip!! Wish I was going with you.