2WD pros; Less maintenance, lower purchase cost, Lower running costs, better ride comfort.
4WD pros; Goes places a 2WD can't, more macho image, better resale value like for like.

For cons reverse pros.

I'm assuming you won't be going off road or you wouldn't have started this thread?.
How often is North Texas hit by snow and ice?. I know it gets some most years, I've seen snow in Fredericksburg and Llano, and it has snowed in Goliad a few times. But if the roads are blocked for a day or so to all but 4WDs will it affect you much?.
I was amazed at the carnage on the roads in Dallas during an ice storm, the roads weren't salted, but the biggest contribution seemed to me was mostly people didn't know how to drive on icy roads. Understandable as it happened so rarely. The friends I was staying with at the time left their cars at home and took public transport for the two days the roads were bad. Not an option outside a big city I know.

Roger.

 

FYI, if you hadn't already seen it, the Chev Colorado (sister to the GMC Canyon) just won Truck of the Year in this month's issue of Motor Trend, which I just got done reading. Sounds like a great truck (either brand); you may want to check out the article if you haven't already.

I think the pros and cons of 4wd have been adequately covered; but to be one more voice for 4WD, I don't think I'd go back to 2WD. Last three trucks have been 4WD, and although I've only used it 3-4 times a year (boat ramps, sand, sketchy road conditions, balding tires), it's nice to have IMO.

 

And Roger brings up an excellent point.

There's an old adage that on slippery roads you are better off without 4WD, because all it will do is let you go faster than you otherwise would, while your ability to stop and to turn is no better than it is with 2WD.

- Eric

 

Admittedly the drivers here in the DC area suck, but when it snows (assuming the gov't hasn't shut down), the only vehicles I see stuck off the road are the 4WD SUVs. I'll admit that these vehicles probably make up 90% of those on the road around here, so the vehicle population may be skewed, but people have no concept of coefficient of friction. I attribute at least part of that to the car ads, where Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, et al, constantly advertise how well their vehicles GO in the snow. They NEVER talk about how well they STOP or TURN, however.

 

If you've never driven on the ice down here... or anywhere for that matter, your setting yourself up for an accident, ice is totally different than snow. An ice storm down here is basically mother nature creating a skating rink on the hwy, it's slicker than owl crap. You have absolutely no control of any vehicle on the roads, and you don't belong on them, period. I'll take snow any day, I stay home for the ice storms.

They don't use salt much down here, mostly sand. The ice will melt if it gets a bit warm and then refreeze at night. Can be pretty ugly down here.

 

Thanks again for the replies and input.

Why I'm leaning toward the Frontier (though I have no interest in going to a soccer game):
- The only mid-size p/u which comfortably fits in our "matchbox" size garage.
- If the Frontier is nearly as good as our Xterra (phenomenal, 190K mi), I'll be satisfied.
- Brand new Nissan dealership opened nearby (could walk there from work or home), operated by very reputable local business.
- Service dept. at new dlrshp is very good.

I'll probably go w/ 4wd. A year ago after an ice storm, I could not get more than a block away from our home, whereas 4wd trucks were able to proceed. I need peace of mind if during such weather a true emergency happened.

I'll probably pull the trigger pretty soon. When/if I do, I'll post a pic or two.

Happy New Year to all CO-ers.