Here in the SF Bay Area, it's (4wd) not needed either. However we go to
Tahoe a few times a year to ski, and it's a LOT easier to flip a switch to
go to 4WD, than get out and put on chains when restrictions are in place.

Funny thing is that when I lived in MA and CT, I never had 4wd... couldn't
afford it. But, where it snows regularly, they don't ever seem to require
4wd or chains anyway. My theory is that here in CA, folks aren't used to
driving in snow, so they make us chain up or use 4wd for everyone's safety.
I still follow the rule I learned when I learned to drive in CT... if the
roads are foul, don't drive unless you absolutely have to. Sometimes though,
in the Sierras, unforecasted weather can move in quick, and catch you off
guard.

Additionally, being in construction, job sites can be a mucky mess when it
rains, and 4wd get's me out in a hurry.

--Mike

"Johnny" Johnny @any.com wrote in message
. ..
Here in Michigan I wouldn't be without 4WD, but it wouldn't be necessary
in Florida.
Like Mike said, 4WD makes it nice to pull on a slippery ramp.
4WD does have more moving parts so the wear factor does increase, not to
mention the fuel consumption!
"Mike" wrote in message
...
I've had 4wd vehicles for the last 20 years. Not once have I had to have
the transfer cases serviced. So no, they don't cost any more for repairs.
4wd sure makes pulling a heavy boat up a slippery ramp, a piece of cake.

--Mike

wrote in message
...
Question for me now is whether or not to get 4wd on my new(er) truck.
My old Nissan is 4wd and my old Dodge is not. I have never needed 4wd
here in FL and when I lived in AL I used it only a few times, a couple
times when it snowed and several times for caving. When we go to WY,
we may use it both winter and summer although that is a very small
fraction of our time. We also could do without it in WY even in
winter by being careful. My experience with 4wd is that it makes
repairs a lot more expensive. Thoughts?