I miss my 4x4 for plowing snow, pulling a cart filled w/wood, And to be honest, very little else.
My buddies would all yell "go in that mud hole" and I replied "you guys can pull me out" and they did.
I did have a full lock up Suzuki like aaronkelly just the 250cc model before the KQ.
Now, the 4x4's have advanced as far as power and suspension by leaps and bounds.
I rode my buddies 450 wolverine 4x4 and was impressed with the handling and power.
He then went in a mud hole and me and my 300ex pulled him out.

IMO, I think it's all about the rider as far as who gets stuck. Many many times i've been told that me and my R could never go here and there. Needless to say, I went most everywhere. The cpl times I had a problem I was able to pick the machine up and out.
I get my skinny 250# butt over the rear tires and watch me go..

I think a correct statement would be, if mudding w/4x4, don't do it alone.
4x4 lets you get in farther and once stuck, lifting it out can be hard. Usually a winch is needed.

I remember going over rocks as tall as the machine. A 2' tree,,no problem. Hop right over. There are fun things to do w/a 4x4 but mudding will take alot of $$ for lift kits and big knarley tires and such.
I wanted to jump and go fast and the 250 zuk wasn't for me.
I wish I had the Renegade option back then (1988). They rock!

My point to all this being, I think the topic starter should be aware of other options plus ppls expierience.
He can then make a intellegent decision on what fits his needs.