First RWD car

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Dumac

Dumac

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,391
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I've only driven FWD cars, but I am planning on buying my first RWD car.

Is there anything you think I should know? I've been reading about understeer vs. oversteer (power and lift-off).

Some people say that in daily driving, assuming you drive safely, the difference is negligible. Others say that you will no doubt crash ;)

Tips?
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
The biggest issue is in when it first starts raining, and wet roads period.

I suggest something with decent traction control, and only play with it off while in a safe area.
 
C

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
Dumac said:
One of you wants me to die.
Click to expand...

Especially don't accelerate through corners when it's wet/icy.

Even at low speed I nearly lost control of my Mustang making a quick turn early this year. Luckily I regained control quick. Traction control does kick in pretty quickly, though, but it won't stop a slide.
 
M

MixMasterTang

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
3,167
176
106
With traction control on most modern day cars there is nothing to worry about under normal driving conditions. If you turn off TC and try to push the cars limits is when you may need to start worrying.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
What kind of RWD car are you buying? Nearly all cars sold are setup to understeer and nearly all cars these days have traction control, some of which cannot be completely disabled. Good luck experiencing oversteer in any of those cars.

In any case, if you're looking to experience power oversteer on public roads then you're an idiot.
 
brainhulk

brainhulk

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2007
9,376
454
126
Traction control is for the lose, it robs you of power just when you need it. I turn mines off
 
Throckmorton

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Of course you can accelerate in corners but don't go overboard... until you really know how the car functions.
 
satyajitmenon

satyajitmenon

Golden Member
Apr 3, 2008
1,911
9
81
I don't get it... My trucks RWD (until I turn on 4WD). My Miata is RWD. My motorcycle is RWD.

What's wrong with RWD? :hmm:



I love it. :awe:
 
Atty

Atty

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2006
1,540
0
76
Have we established OP is buying a RWD sports car where any of this advice matters?
 
nerp

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
106
Just go easy. Depending on how much power you've got, don't try to be a hotshot.
 
T

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,034
127
106
nickbits said:
Not good in snow
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That depends too. My miata is actually pretty damn good in the snow the few times I've accidentally been caught out in it. I don't drive it in snow more to avoid the salt than lack of grip. 50/50 weight distribution and a torsen rearend make it pretty good with decent tires, doesn't even have traction control.

Just drive like a normal person and wait a couple days before drifto
 
Dumac

Dumac

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,391
1
0
JulesMaximus said:
What kind of RWD car are you buying? Nearly all cars sold are setup to understeer and nearly all cars these days have traction control, some of which cannot be completely disabled. Good luck experiencing oversteer in any of those cars.

In any case, if you're looking to experience power oversteer on public roads then you're an idiot.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at the FR-S, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. It does have traction control.

Sorry, I meant that I was looking into understeer as a RWD phenomona rather than oversteer which is more typical of FWD (if my reading is correct at all). I don't know if I would turn into the slide by reflex to correct understeer. Although, I've heard the FR-S doesn't understeer easily and is more of an oversteer car.

Either way, I just want to steer normally lol

Atty said:
Have we established OP is buying a RWD sports car where any of this advice matters?
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Probably not. Only 200HP on an FR-S, but I wanted to pick a car that couldn't get me into too much trouble. I'm not a terribly experienced/proficient driver.

thedarkwolf said:
Just drive like a normal person and wait a couple days before drifto
Click to expand...

Yeah, definitely planning on it.

On that topic, is engine break-in something you should actually worry about?
 
Last edited:
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Any car of "normal" power level will be perfectly fine to drive, whether it be FWD, RWD, or AWD. On dry pavement, I have to drive like an asshole (with stability control off/relaxed) to get my CTS-V to act out, and that has twice the power of an FRS (and over 2.5x as much torque).

Go to a couple autocross schools (grab an instructor to ride with you!) and you'll get it figured out in no time. :)
 
Sulaco

Sulaco

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2003
3,825
46
91
JulesMaximus said:
Retard

Another retard

It's good to let stupid people drive powerful RWD cars

I hope he gets another Corvette

Moar oversteer idiocy At least this one was on a closed course.
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I say this as a proud owner of a wonderful '08 Z06, but it's been my experience that a disproportionate number of vettes are either driven by dowdy old men, or complete and total douchebag "bro" wannabes.

It's obvious why; it's a HELLUVA lot of power at a pretty cheap price, but it's sad to see fools who have no idea what they're doing endangering other people behind the wheel.
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
81
a FR-S/ BRZ isn't going to be too much of a handful. A lot of people stated it is very easy to make them slide around. But you will not have issues like those fools in the videos. Its a VERY VERY well-balanced car from all the reviews.

I drove a stock S14 240sx SE for a month and never had any issues in the rain/snow/dry. I got on it a couple times in the snow too just to see what the big deal was, i was able to hold it down w/o any stress. This coming from driving FWD automatic cars all my life and now a AWD g35.
 
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