2WD or AWD?

[ssblaze]

Hi this is my first post :) I am 100% positive this is the truck for me and I plan on purchasing it in the upcoming months after the holidays. Well my question is 2wd or AWD? Do you loose a noticeable amount with an AWD? Are you still able to shorten the life of your tires at will with the AWD? Is the AWD capable of the same HP numbers as the 2WD (is the front drive system strong enough for more HP)? Is there anyway to turn off or disable the AWD system?

A lot of questions I know, I'm just looking for fact before I decide. One of the biggest determinants in this decision though is the fact I live in Minnesota. So I assume the 2WD doesn’t fair too well in the snow. But I don't know. So let me know what you guys think.

[blktbz]

im not an SS owner but i can say this:
- You cannot turn AWD off, there is no switch
- If you have any sort of snow in your area, im 100% sure most SS owners will agree you need an AWD...RWD will be too powerful in any sort of bad road condition

Welcome to the community!:)

[Dave]

Minnesota = snow = AWD. Driving a Mustang might be easier in the snow compared to an SS. At least it is closer to the ground.

[The Dark SSide]

I live in Toledo, OH which is about an hr south of Detroit. We get a good amount of snow and I have the 2wd SS. Its not that bad, we havent had anything more that about 4"-5"s since I bought it but it goes through it ok. I use my truck for work and have about 22k on the stock tires and they will be fine to use this winter. You just have to realize you are drive a heavy suv that has 405lbs of tq. Give yourself more room to stop and take sometime in an empty parking lot to feel what you need to get going.

I am not saying that it's better than AWD just giving my opinon. When my wife is driving and my 3 mo old son is in the car, I think I should have bought the AWD. At the time I didnt know she was prego and didn't know as soon as she drove the TBSS she wouldn't want to drive her car anymore. Stabilitrak is a great but I dont depend on it, but it will save your a$$ once in a while.

[tcb35771]

I think all this agonizing over AWD vrs 2WD is silly. Maybe because I am a little older but I remember a time when ALL cars were Rear Wheel Drive. Man what in the world did all of us poor people do without AWD or FWD. Look it just takes a little longer to learn how to drive the vehicle. That is what we all love to do here right is drive? I mean yes if you live in the UP of Michigan or maybe Minnesota or in the Mountains somewhere, you might really need AWD. But in the general Midwest states I do not see a real need for it. Just my 2 cents worth. By the way I love my Trailblazer it is the best decision I ever made to ditch my grand prix GXP and buy this truck.

[ssblaze]

one thing that i am wondering about this 2WD/AWD situation is... with the AWD the way i see it, you may have a better potential as far as launching the car goes. it may take a tenth off the time with minor performance upgrades but say later down the line i go with a turbo set up... wouldn't the AWD be more beneficial then? because you may be able to launch at higher RPM without wheel spin, thus spooling the turbo up higher.

[faSSt]

It depends on how much HP your gonna throw at it. There are a few turbo guys that have a hard time getting enough traction with rwd.

[Dave]

I think all this agonizing over AWD vrs 2WD is silly. Maybe because I am a little older but I remember a time when ALL cars were Rear Wheel Drive. Man what in the world did all of us poor people do without AWD or FWD. Look it just takes a little longer to learn how to drive the vehicle. That is what we all love to do here right is drive? I mean yes if you live in the UP of Michigan or maybe Minnesota or in the Mountains somewhere, you might really need AWD. But in the general Midwest states I do not see a real need for it. Just my 2 cents worth. By the way I love my Trailblazer it is the best decision I ever made to ditch my grand prix GXP and buy this truck.

I remember back that far also. Personally, I think today's drivers are spoiled by all of the electronic driving aids they put in a car. They think ABS/TCS/Stabilatrak/AWD/4WD was built to make them a better driver but they can't help people trying to break the laws of physics.

But since I ski a lot, the 4WD is great for heading to the resorts. And the TB/EN is tall enough to clear the deep snow, while Subies and Audis are pushing it with their front air dam.