Tips on Buying Cars: 4 wheel drive vs normal, gas mileage, pankaj

Question
what is the difference between a 4-wheel drive and a normal car? how do i choose between the two?

Answer
Pankaj,

The difference is substantial.  A 4 wheel drive vehicle is made for offroad driving, or driving in mud, snow, etc.  What it does is send power to all 4 wheels allowing them to all spin, rather than only two as in 2wd models.  This allows you to get better traction and gripping while driving.  It is not recommended to drive in 4wd unless you need it, as it can burn up the transfer case a whole lot quicker than if you simply use it when you need it.  

As for how you choose.  That is up to you.  If you typically drive in areas where you need a lot of traction and more power behind the wheels, suck as on dirt/mud roads, a lot of snow, on rocks, etc, then I would get a 4wd.  If most of your driving is on the highway or in the city, then it is a waist of money for you.  It also decreases the gas mileage that the vehicle gets.  Not much anymore, but 1 or 2 more miles per gallon can make a big difference.

Only get a 4wd if you need it regularly, would be my opinion.

Hope this helps out.

Thanks -

Jeremy