4 Wheel Drive - Research

Research your options and needs before buying a 4 Wheel Drive

The term '4 wheel drive' is a broad categorisation that takes in agricultural vehicles and family sedans right through to luxury vehicles. So popular is the demand for some form of propulsion to all four wheels that some cars will even engage four wheel drive without involving you in the complexity of changing gears.

Although buying a 4 wheel drive car or SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) demands many of the decisions that you would encounter in any car purchase, these vehicles are designed for very specific purposes and you will need to match your planned usage with your choice of vehicle.

When you are actually buying a 4 wheel drive the number of different options may be confusing and it can be difficult to decide which is your best buy. The Buyz123 three step guide - Research, Evaluation, Purchase - is designed to assist you in this buying process.

The Research step firstly involves investigating essential features of 4 wheel drives available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a 4 wheel drive.

In the Evaluation step you focus on how well the different features of individual 4 wheel drives meet your needs, and then how well the most suitable 4 wheel drives compare in detail, one to another.

Finally, in the Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the 4 wheel drive, what questions to ask and what information you should seek on warranty, customer service, and after-sales support.

As you work though the Buyz123 purchase strategy you will clarify your thoughts about your intended purchase, confidently compare 4 wheel drives one to another, and then purchase a 4 wheel drive that really does meet your needs.

Step 1: Research

In order to end up with the 4 wheel drive best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of 4 wheel drives are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a 4 wheel drive.

Research the market: 4 Wheel Drive essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the 4 wheel drive market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Types: 4 wheel drive body styles are generally in the form of utility vehicles with large wheels to improve traction on rough, uneven and slippery surfaces however many family sedan and station-wagon manufacturers have also incorporated the extra transmission gear into their standard designs.

4 Wheel Drive Engagement: 4 wheel drive vehicles may be permanent 4 wheel drive (also known as 'full time four-wheel drive', or 'all-wheel drive') or optional (part-time) 4 wheel drive. For optional vehicles there is the choice of manual selection, where the driver decides when to engage 4 wheel drive, or auto selection, where a computer determines via sensors when 4 wheel drive is necessary.

Engines and gearboxes: Engine sizes and fuel types tend to be dictated by the size of the vehicle. Smaller vehicles will be petrol driven, whereas larger vehicles are likely to be diesel fuelled. More basic vehicles will have two stick shifts; one for normal driving and another for the low gears and power transfer to all four wheels. More sophisticated designs leave the gear changing to sensors and a computer.

Finishes and Fittings: At the basic end of the market, the vehicles are expected to be heavily used, so the trim will be easy-clean and additional equipment will be at a minimum. At the luxury end of the market, you choose what you want including leather interior, passenger DVD players and built in GPS.

Cost: The smallest four wheel drives compare well in price with a standard family sedan. A four wheel drive version of a sedan will cost as much as double the price of the standard model and a luxury four wheel drive will cost about three times the price of a family sedan.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a 4 wheel drive. For example, will you use the 4 wheel drive only for weekend camping trips?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I driven a 4 wheel drive before?
	If you have driven a 4 wheel drive, work out what you did or didn't like about the 4 wheel drive. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What exactly does a 4 wheel drive need to do for me?
	You may be planning to go mud plugging, towing or to have mainly a show vehicle for the school run.

How comfortable do I need a 4 wheel drive to be?
	Some 4 wheel drives are pretty basic vehicles and are not designed for distance travelling. Others are specifically designed to be as good on the long haul as they are across rough country.

How many people will I need to seat?
	4 wheel drives can seat anything from 2 to 8 people.

How much do I want to pay?
	There is a premium to pay getting drive to two more wheels. Check your cash and look up some good financing deals.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of 4 wheel drives and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.


Video Links

Kia Sorento LX 4WD - Review The 2003 model Kia Sorento LX. Based on a truck chassis, and with the less upmarket brand name of Kia, the Sorrento nonetheless manages to impress with its substantial list of features and off-road performance. (2m 34s)

Hummer H2 & Cadillac Escalade vs Range Rover - Promo Jeremy Clarkson pitting the American Hummer H2 and Cadillac Esplanade against the British Range Rover in a race up a desert hill. (10m 34s)

Honda Crossroad 2007 - Review Review; the new crossover 4x4 from Honda, available in 1.8L and 2L is a reliable and affordable vehicle for everyday driving. (3m 09s)

Buyz123.com Research Links:

4 Wheel Drive Overview

4WD's defined

How 4 wheel drive works

Do you need a 4 wheel drive?

Choosing a 4 Wheel Drive

The difference between 4WD and AWD explained

Which wheel drive?

Get the right wheel drive for you