2wd vs RT4wd

Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
in General Civic Wagon Discussion
Hello All,

I'm torn on which one to choose from I've seen alot of great looking 2wd's/Rt4wd's and now I don't know which one I want it's obvious they look the same not sure if they feel the same when driven, but my main question is it worth buying the Rt4wd rather than the 2wd? I've been searching for the Rt4wd for some time now and still no luck & when I do find them most of the time there out of state. I keep finding 2wd locally, I'm really interested in picking up a Wagon since I enjoy Driving and Traveling around the Bay Area :D and my main purpose for a wagon is for DD/Snowboarding/Bike Riding/Surfing and maybe some occasional track days. My MR2 lacks the space for Outdoor Equipment none the less a Fantastic Car, looking for Reliability & Comfort. Any inputs would be appreciated thanks!

Comments

  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Any wagon, whether it's 2wd or a RT, will work just fine with what you want it for IMO. I have a 2wd and does great in any weather but I'm sure the RT has its advantages too. Can't speak for that as I never owned a RT before. It all boils down to what you want to do with your wagon. San Jose doesn't get too bad with its weather, except for rain, so I'd say the 2wd is the way to go. Worked fine for me when I stayed in San Bernardino County. This is just my .02 cents, other people might tell you something different. Hope this helps.
  • bikewrenchbikewrench Wagonist
    If you plan to go boarding in Tahoe, I'd definitely get a rt. Chaining up sucks

    I'm in Sacramento and went to Tennessee to get my rt. Can't wait to get it up the mountain!
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Yeah thats the thing I do plan to go up Tahoe & Boreal don't really like going thru the whole rental car thing when I can take a RT4wd then in the summer off roading nothing crazy but enough to have some fun. True in San Jose it never snows only rains was thinking of maybe just getting a 2wd then if I want the Rt4wd i could just sell the 2wd BUT i'll be alittle more patient and if I can't find one then i'll just go 2wd. Read about the Rt4wd having issues with drivetrain/axles? is this true can maybe the Rt4wd cats can elaborate Transmission issue suck.
  • byrne_06byrne_06 New Wagonist
    When i was looking for rt i looked on craigslist and all the forums i could everyday. In the midwest everyone thinks there worth gold so when i found the one i wanted but it was 5 hours away so i let it sit for a while then got it cheap. The Rt have the normal problem of the rear end clunking, and there are posts here that people have fixed the problem.
  • pre-ownedpre-owned Band Wagon
    I have the 2wd, and as far as bay area weather goes, it does better then my 2004 jetta! I occasionally take it too the snow, and as long as it isn't snowing it handles surprisingly well. not too comfortable with it in sand though...haven't tried much, it just scares me.
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    I wouldn't mind going with 2wd but the HP is pretty low the Rt4wd is rated at I believe 125hp I know I can mod the 2wd and If I do go with 2wd i'm not trying to go cheap on my Wagon. I never go cheap on my cars always maintain them well so they run superb if anything for a wagon I may be looking at 150-175whp I would like to enjoy the Wagon when driving and not having Beastly power were my Wagon couldn't handle.
  • pre-ownedpre-owned Band Wagon
    then just throw a b16 in there. probably push around 170 with vtec. you'll be able to smash with out worrying about rattling your bolts lose like a k20
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Alright so I found a Wagon 2wd with 260k mileage 2nd owner did maintenance every 3,500 interior is 9/10, exterior is 9/10, No Rust, Stock Engine, Clean title is in Good Condition & Wagon is Brown asking price $1400 is there anything I should check while i'm at it? is the mileage to High? Oil leaks? Transmission? Suspension? anything I may have left out.
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    See if he'll go down a bit. I bought mine from the second owner and got it for $1000 with one rip in the passenger side seat. Check for leaks and listen to how it runs when you check it out personally. Is it all stock?
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Seller did mention it had intake other than that it's all stock.
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    I'd say if it's that good inside and out than 1400 is a good deal. But the cheap ass in me says 1200. Still up to you though. A ls in a wagon is still good for mountains. I use to do some snowboarding and my wagon made it up to Big Bear Lake area no problem with the single cam.
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Thanks man good to know these wagon can pull thru!
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Oh heck yes they can. I stayed in San Bernardino, the mountains were 30-45 minutes away and the beach was about an hour. I would go to both(not in the same day) with my wagon with no problems at all. My drive to Idaho was a little slow cuz I had about 200 extra lbs in the car and the mountains/hills are terrible but my wagon still made it through. They're tougher than they look lol Hope my words help and good luck with your search.

    EDIT:It was more than 200lbs that was in the car on my way to Idaho. Everything that was in my room was somehow in my wagon.
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    If it falls thru i'll be on my search still and maybe I can get a sweet deal like my MR2 if i'm patient enough.
  • SONY4059SONY4059 Band Wagon
    Gray Fox wrote:
    If it falls thru i'll be on my search still and maybe I can get a sweet deal like my MR2 if i'm patient enough.


    Ur rite that. Thats how I got my wagon after not get a 95 ex. Wagon came alone.
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Tax money return=Wagon time
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Yeah Buddy I found a wagon with 135k and it's RT4wd wants $2600 is $2000-2500 a decent price for one of these? owner said there's no Rust and it had never been modified clean title as well 100% stock the Wagon is out of state though guy sounds like a older cat who's honest BUT you never know.
  • jraneyjraney Band Wagon
    So do the 4wd wagons generally have more issues?
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    ^I think one thing to worry about is the drivetrain/transmission other than that everything else should be fine. I'm just glad in my area the junk yards have everything I need for spare parts and stuff when the time comes.
  • Drewby230Drewby230 Band Wagon
    Im not sure about them having more issues than a 2wd wagon but when you think about it in mechanical terms there is more stuff in the 4wd thats getting more normal wear such as the rear axles and driveshaft than a 2wd. But mainly I think the major questions are, do you NEED the 4wd for snow or rough backroads? The fwd goes amazing in almost any weather or road but with the fwd you also have more swap options then a swapping a rt4wd if you plan on keeping the 4wd.

    RT4WD most common and easiest swaps are the ZC dual and single cam. The harder swap for the 4wd is the B20 out of a 4wd CRV so you can use the transmission too.

    With the fwd wagon you have almost complete freedom to swap in any B, D, or even a H or F in you have $ to play with.

    Ive seen a few threads surface up lately with rumors and efforts on trying to build up a k24 CRV rt4wd swap into a wagon but thats going to be some serious $$.

    Gray Fox I hope you finally found "that" wagon. Ive always had a love for MR2s. Glad to see you have one of the harder to find turbo editions.
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Drewby230 wrote:
    Im not sure about them having more issues than a 2wd wagon but when you think about it in mechanical terms there is more stuff in the 4wd thats getting more normal wear such as the rear axles and driveshaft than a 2wd. But mainly I think the major questions are, do you NEED the 4wd for snow or rough backroads? The fwd goes amazing in almost any weather or road but with the fwd you also have more swap options then a swapping a rt4wd if you plan on keeping the 4wd.

    RT4WD most common and easiest swaps are the ZC dual and single cam. The harder swap for the 4wd is the B20 out of a 4wd CRV so you can use the transmission too.

    With the fwd wagon you have almost complete freedom to swap in any B, D, or even a H or F in you have $ to play with.

    Ive seen a few threads surface up lately with rumors and efforts on trying to build up a k24 CRV rt4wd swap into a wagon but thats going to be some serious $$.

    Gray Fox I hope you finally found "that" wagon. Ive always had a love for MR2s. Glad to see you have one of the harder to find turbo editions.

    Hey thanks for the feedback I have also thought just buying a FWD wagon like you mentioned alot more swap options I can choose from Wagon will be used mainly for commute/traveling/Camping trips seen so many great looking wagons so much inspirations it's beautiful still looking for a clean wagon I've been finding used and abused ones i'll be patient like I said before and wait, as for my MR2 it might be going for sale :( I love my MR2 been reliable to me for the 2 years I've owned it never had any problems but I came to conclusion I would like to pursue my dream it's still unsure If I will sell her time will tell. Also alot of wagon owners have complemented my MR2 or their likes for the MR2 cool to see Honda owners showing some love, ahaha always hatin' on one another not me though I have love for alot of cars exotic/rare/classics 'cause they don't make'em like they used to too many electronics nowadays I like nice & simple :D
  • ludemanludeman Wagonist
    Really if i didnt live in north dakota and had to drive it in a bunch of snow I would rather have a 2wd wagon with a b-swap probably. Better gas milage, more options on motors, and possibly better ride quality. But that is just me, i really really do love the rt4wd just wish i could put a better motor in there
  • KaervakKaervak Band Wagon
    My family had a FWD one in northeast Ohio. Did just fine in the winters from what I remember. Naturally the type/quality of tires helps a lot as well.
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    I can't wait to get mine only mods I would do is suspension/wheels/alarm system to many Honda's stolen in my part of town, also I don't think FWD came in Red and now White for sure, i'll finally be able to bring my dog with me to places aha he looks huge in my MR2, tires are a necessity for wet/snow weather, my car is RWD it's a must have or else she'll be tale happy.

    I'm learning more about swap options to which is a plus later down the road if I want more power not looking for a crazy amount maybe in the 200whp.
  • RiskEverythingRiskEverything Wagonist
    Regarding stolen Hondas:

    Buy a SPOT and wire it into your car, hidden away somewhere like behind the center console.
    If anyone steals the car just increase the rate that it transmits its location, hunt them down with some friends and get all Muppett on their asses.

    gang-beat-down.jpg
  • Gray FoxGray Fox Wagonist
    Grover is tha MAN!
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