vB Easy Archive - FWD

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FWD > RWD
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Posted by: hybrid.09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBsE58m0OWg

On topic, which do you prefer, AWD, FWD, or non-winter friendly RWD?

Posted by: ZOMGuy

I live in Florida, so given the choice, I'd choose RWD any day.

Posted by: ajponu

That car at 15secs sounded so f-ing sweet!

Posted by: oddsocks

RWD with mechanical 4WD.

I've never actually heard a Mazda sound decent, and those did. The guy in the BMW just doesn't know how to drive.

Posted by: huskyfan23

I like AWD and RWD. There aren't many FWD cars I'd want.

Posted by: Skylinepilot

Being a fan of having throttle-oversteer available, I like a car that has most or all of the power in the back. Your front tires are doing enough with turning and braking and usually holding the weight of the engine.

But when it comes to auto-x the minis, VWs and Civic Si can give a Corvette or an STI a run for its money.

Posted by: Heavy Fluid

I have owned all 3 now. Not in any kind of order:

1992 Cavalier - FWD
1993 Eclipse GS - FWD
2003 Focus SVT - FWD

1995 Trans Am - RWD

2005 Audi A4 - AWD

Everyone says that FWD is better than RWD in the snow? I don't know about that. I felt more in control in the RWD to be honest. This will be first winter with the Audi, so I am a little excited to see how it is. I find FWD to be lame to be honest. I will never own another car with it as long as I can help it. I do know that last year, my wifes 2003 Ford Escape XLT AWD was a heaven sent, since my Focus was a POS in the snow. I got stuck in my own driveway numerous times.

Posted by: MasonDoctorJT

I Prefer RWD over FWD in almost all weather situations. Never had a problem getting stuck in RWD, but have seen and had many problems turning in a FWD in snow. RWD if you happen to go into a corner a little to hot, you can most always gas it and get it to do exactly what you want. FWD you can use the e-brake, but it's still not as controllable. But I agree with oddsocks. RWD with part time (mechanical) 4WD FTW!

Posted by: thumper80

rwd or old school 4wd

I hate fwd cars in the winter

Posted by: Extraordinary

They all have advantages. I cant pick.

Posted by: MapleLeafs

rwd>awd>fwd

My opinion, of course. btw i own a fwd car but my previous car was rwd, and I have a pretty extensive history with cars.

Posted by: i0wnj00

RWD is doable in the winter. You just have to watch your speed and turns that's all. I don't use the 4WD (part time) feature unless speeds will be over 45 mph, there's at least of 3 inches of snow on the road or I'll be slogging up an unplowed road. It saved my butt a few times so I'm glad I have it.

Posted by: oddsocks

4WD with lunchbox lockers in the front and rear axles is a very fun way to drive. Not for the faint of heart, and definitely not safe to let anybody else drive it.

Posted by: Tyffany100

RWD is a better drive, FWD makes me sea sick...

Also dont forget the best part of RWD is that they dont cram all the crap in the front engine bay giving more room to work.

AND it is more easy to design a balanced car with RWD... BMW anyone?

although I hear FWD is better in the winter because the you have more mass over the truning wheels... but inwinter you are more likely to slip, so FWD means you are dead but RWD you can easily get out of a fish tail...

only thing to remember with RWD when you are skidding as you are turning into the skid you give MORE GAS!!!!! braking bakes it worse...

Posted by: Prolab

^^Actually, you let go off the gas, get your grip and point the car where you want it to go. If you drift and give er gas - your just going to end in a ditch or do a 180.

AWD!

Nothing beats a 2-step on AWD and more grip on snow.

AWD + Snow tires = FUN!

Posted by: jsarino

RWD>FWD>AWD>4WD

I drive more FWD partly because I autocross alot in mine, but I've grown to enjoy RWD through the years both on the track/autocross and on the street. If I still plan on getting a 3rd car next year, I prefer it to be RWD...that way, I'll have FWD, 4WD, and RWD in my stable.

Incidentally, a number of RWD owners that have ridden with me in the Prelude (some have driven it too) say that my car handles like a RWD. The combination of the ATTS technology (torque-actuated FD differential) and my suspension is dialed in a way that it has practically no understeer (it didn't have much to begin with), and has moderate oversteer. As for snow, when I used to drive it in the winters, I slapped on a set of snow tires and I'm good to go.

Posted by: Heavy Fluid

The beauty of AWD. Listen at 11 seconds in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ27PL7WwM0

Posted by: Zaku_4

facepalm for the bmw

i prefer rwd, it gets along in its own little way in winter; just drive carefully.

Posted by: hokie77

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsarino

RWD>FWD>AWD>4WD

Very interesting that you rate FWD above AWD....reasoning?

I would of course say from a purist point of view, RWD is the best. Ever wheel is doing what it should. However there are always exception, which I find most frequently in AWD, but sometimes in FWD. Plenty of AWD cars have been engineered to be incredible and provide far more grip to put done the power, ie GTR, Evo, etc. As long as it is strictly a performance oriented AWD system, the advantages can be hard to match. That all said and after having all sorts, I generally return back to RWD

Posted by: bodeh6

I have only had 2 cars, 1999 Ford Contour V6 FWD and now 2006 Subaru Legacy AWD. I used to get stuck sometimes in even my own neighborhood with the Contour. I have yet to get stuck with the Subie. The AWD is simply awesome in Michigan rain and snow. In FWD cars, if I slam the gas in rain it is gonna spin the wheel. With AWD, I just press it and go.

Posted by: Heavy Fluid

AWD in Michigan is almost necessary. I don't know how it is for you bodeh, but they don't clear the streets here for bunk. After a huge snowfall, it can be up to several days before we see a snow plow in our neighborhood.

As much as I don't want it to be winter yet, I really want to test out that Quattro.

Posted by: jsarino

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokie77

Very interesting that you rate FWD above AWD....reasoning?

Well, I've noticed that alot of people rate AWD highly because it's easier to drive it in all conditions. I do admit it is the easiest to drive (especially in snow), but maybe it's the race driver in me, but I enjoy driving cars where I'm mostly in control. What I like with both FWD and RWD is that I’m able to direct the car how I want it, and can adjust on the fly (for the most part

) if things go awry. With AWD, I have this feeling that I’m relying on the car to drive me, not the other way around. I’ve raced a couple of AWD cars (WRX and STi), and though I drove them well (well enough to win

), I never felt like I was able to wring out what I want out of either car.

So, to summarize…for daily driving purposes, AWD is a nice, convenient choice for driving in all conditions. Not as fun IMO on an autocross course or roadcourse. On dirt or gravel or snow on the other hand...woohoo!

Posted by: Myclue

poor 335.. i feel bad for that car

Posted by: wizard8873

for me, RWD (or AWD which has power to the rear wheels until they start slipping), AWD, and FWD. had AWD cars until the M45 and honestly find RWD so much more fun. there are plenty of good cars out there that are FWD but i'll take a RWD one over it any day. not really that hard to drive a RWD car in the snow if you have good tires and know what you're doing.

Posted by: B0000rt

I like the longitudinally mounted engines which allows more room for the steering components which allows for a tigher turning circle. Damn stupid front transverse mounted engines with their horrible turning circle radius

Posted by: Gadget14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasonDoctorJT

RWD if you happen to go into a corner a little to hot, you can most always gas it and get it to do exactly what you want. FWD you can use the e-brake, but it's still not as controllable. But I agree with oddsocks. RWD with part time (mechanical) 4WD FTW!

I'm not to sure of that, I always been driving in the snow 5-6 months a year, I had FWD and with the time you learn how to use the handbrake at the good time. I was on a track with a old Sentra '91 and it was faster on the ice/snow than a RWD. The opinions will be different between each others ,the most part of the time, when your drinving on ice or snow it's not the car that will make the difference but the driver.

Posted by: rovert

Well explained by the guy behind the camera...LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu3-LuoVxrQ

Posted by: Ryan1524

RWD or AWD.

Posted by: chillin858

ive had experience with all three as well, and in the winter awd is the clear winner. my dad has an 03 escalade paired with michelin x-ice tires and last winter i tried on numerous occasions to GET stuck lol. it went through anything tried. i personally drove a 99 sts with winter tires, but i was constantly getting stuck, and spinning the front wheels in the winter....
as for rwd, my bro drives a 03 g35, with winter tires, and had no problems last year at all....

Posted by: Inclemental

i had droven all AWD, FWD, RWD, 4x4
i will perfer RWD for the fun of driving, it gives me all the responses as i want from a car. and it is fun to drive in the winter as it can really train my driving skill in both hand and foot co-ordination. i have no problem of driving a RWD with a set of winter tires in the city except for the BMW 745Li.
AWD is nice to have for all condition as daily drive. i don't have to worry much as the car will ensure the most stability for me. only down side is the gas-consumption vs FWD and RWD.
4x4 has the combination of AWD and RWD for me. but it is not much useable for me as i don't go off-road at all. and the vehicles that i drove before ain't that great. (mazda MPV SUV and GMC jimmy)
i am not a big fun of FWD, control is really limited compare to RWD, can't really control the car well during turns.

Posted by: jsarino

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inclemental

i am not a big fun of FWD, control is really limited compare to RWD, can't really control the car well during turns.

You are referring to understeer, which is a common issue with FWD cars in turns. With both the motor and drive wheels in the front, the majority of the momentum shifts to the front on turns, giving less traction for the front tires to grip. When I'm instructing on the roadcourse or autocross, I always tell drivers to do most, if not all of your braking before the turn, and feed back into the throttle as you rotate around. That should alleviate most of the understeer issues...unless you have crappy brakes and/or tires.

Some FWD cars can rotate better if they have a LSD or some variant to transfer power where it needs to. I sometimes like the challenge of racing in a FWD car because it requires a bit of work to drive it faster than you could in a comparable AWD or RWD car.

Posted by: icanttype

awd ftw

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Posted by: icanttype

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prolab

^^Actually, you let go off the gas, get your grip and point the car where you want it to go. If you drift and give er gas - your just going to end in a ditch or do a 180.

AWD!

Nothing beats a 2-step on AWD and more grip on snow.

AWD + Snow tires = FUN!

agreed this is always the most fun and you cant go wrong with awd in any weather scenario

Posted by: M5Rahul

I've owned a few rides..

1) Early 90's Subaru .. which was AWD and fun with that puny Turbo lol.. thing would jump outta snow like a raped-ape!!

Loved it till the tranny took a crap..

2) Moved into a 1997 Mazda 626 .. FWD.. POS! Not the FWd, but the car itself was pure garbage.. But, it was a lease so was stuck!

3) Bought a new 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT.. FWD 3.8L.. Thing was a BLAST, except Torque Steer

But, it made me a fan of GM!

4) Traded it in for a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP [ SLP GTX conversion pre-installed] FWD 3.8L, Eaton Blower!! It was pure sex

Got hooked with mods.. Pulley swaps, exhaust, headers etc etc.. The look on people's face when that 4 door grocery getter made a 12 sec pass at the track was priceless!!

Threw a rod, and it was never the same again.. RIP GTX!! Easily one of the BEST rides I owned..

5) Bought a 2001 Pontiac Trans AM [not WS6] A4, Black, 3.23 gears.. OMG! Instant RWD orgasm!!

I wish GM didn't kill the bird

LS1 was a whole new experience.. low 13s bone stock.. wow! Then came heads, exhaust, headers, gears, stall, Magic Stick Custom Cam.. and high 10s.. amazing motor!!

6) Went through a '01 Acura 3.2 TL / '02 'Vette LS1 / '02 Ford Lightning / '04 *Loud ******** Terminator [Mustang Cobra] / '06 LS2 Goat [GTO] / '07 Acura TL and now the 07 M5 + 08 LS7 Z06 ..

I love RWD, but that doesn't mean FWD aren't good.. Hell, I'd love to get another '99-2003 Grand Prix GTP some day!! But, RWD is just my thing and I really couldn't enjoy FWD as much anymore..

Posted by: joen270

awd all the way

Posted by: FullStrength

RWD > AWD

FWD is not good in a panic, stomp and steer situation. The wheels can't steer and accelerate at the same time. So a car can slide. I prefer RWD , as long as you can start off your fine in snow. AWD is too much in some instances, and RWD is too little. Part time AWD is best.

Posted by: Steve.G

I drove a fwd with studded tires up in Alaska.. I got great control in turns of all sorts. The fact that it was a manual made it more fun. I can remember people (first timers) in little Jimmys, s10, and stuff getting stuck on my road.. I'd stop, help get them unstuck, and continue on my merry way.