FWD vs RWD

[XZeroII]

Living in Wisconsin, I prefer FWD over RWD because of the handling in the winter time. I know that RWD is much better when you have a performance car, but for everyday driving, FWD seems a better choice.

Your thoughts?

 

[Colt45]

AWD

 

[Jumpem]

Northern NY, FWD or AWD.

 

[jagec]

When I was in Indiana - RWD or AWD
Now that I'm in Seattle - RWD or AWD

If I moved to Maine - AWD

There's never a good time for WWD.

 

[Engineer]

I tend to favor FWD or AWD. We don't have a huge winter season here (KY), but I've been caught just enough with RWD cars to make the switch. That said, it limits the choices of "Luxury" cars to those with AWD as very few have FWD (Volvo S80, Lexus ES350, a few others). AWD cars seems to suck gas more.

I've looked at the Volvo S80 a few times and really like it's interior (exterior is OK) but my heart keeps going to a AWD Mercedes E350. But that costs much more than the Volvo.

Anyway, FWD or AWD.

Oh, how well does traction control work on a RWD vehicle?

 

[fstime]

RWD summer car.

AWD winter car.

Only thing that would probably give you the best of both worlds would be a S4 or S6 but you'd still obviously need to change out the tires/wheels.

 

[nismotigerwvu]

I live in Morgantown WV, and if you didn't know this already, the roads are pretty windy and hilly and we get a pretty decent amount of snow (not a ton, but enough to mater) and I drive a 240SX (super lightweight, RWD sports coupe) and as long as you have a manual transmission I actually prefer it over FWD in all situations besides a dead stop. Unless you are moron and mash the gas going around a turn (which would cause loss of control in a FWD as well) it is just far more maneuverable. All you do is turn your wheels where you want to go and lift off the throttle. Its more myth and bad experiences with older large cars (with more importantly a floaty suspension that also happened to be RWD) that add to the perception that wrong wheel drive is beneficial. The only benefit is a reduced manufacturing cost and increased difficulty in service (meaning shade tree mechanic is less likely to do the repairs and more likely to bring said car to dealership).

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: nismotigerwvu
I live in Morgantown WV, and if you didn't know this already, the roads are pretty windy and hilly and we get a pretty decent amount of snow (not a ton, but enough to mater) and I drive a 240SX (super lightweight, RWD sports coupe) and as long as you have a manual transmission I actually prefer it over FWD in all situations besides a dead stop. Unless you are moron and mash the gas going around a turn (which would cause loss of control in a FWD as well) it is just far more maneuverable. All you do is turn your wheels where you want to go and lift off the throttle. Its more myth and bad experiences with older large cars (with more importantly a floaty suspension that also happened to be RWD) that add to the perception that wrong wheel drive is beneficial. The only benefit is a reduced manufacturing cost and increased difficulty in service (meaning shade tree mechanic is less likely to do the repairs and more likely to bring said car to dealership).

So you don't agree that the added weight of the motor over the pulling wheels gives you a better traction?

Sounds like a benefit to me.

 

[garkon]

^^Nope, i dont agree. Give me RWD or AWD on a vehical, preferably RWD unless you have huge power. That being said i drive a front wheel drive car, but it's my comfy comuter, when i spend cash on a new car, it will be RWD and MT. I live in california.

EDIT: Well, i guess for snow/crappy weather it is the safer route, but theres alot to be said for just driving safely for the conditions

 

[ponyo]

RWD. I live in Georgia so I don't really have to worry about snow or ice.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: garkon
^^Nope, i dont agree. Give me RWD or AWD on a vehical, preferably RWD unless you have huge power. That being said i drive a front wheel drive car, but it's my comfy comuter, when i spend cash on a new car, it will be RWD and MT. I live in california.

EDIT: Well, i guess for snow/crappy weather it is the safer route, but theres alot to be said for just driving safely for the conditions

Sorry, I meant for snow and ice. I have found that FWD gives me much better traction (not necessarily control) than a RWD vehicle in snow and ice.

OH, and again, does traction control on a RWD vehicle really help?

I would also assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that a limited slip differential (positive traction?) would be beneficial on a RWD vehicle?

 

[SithSolo1]

Georgia, RWD.

 

[MegaVovaN]

South Texas, RWD

 

[MovingTarget]

Central Alabama - RWD

 

[MDE]

Chicago, RWD

 

[SparkyJJO]

Ohio, had a FWD until recently (car died, 93 taurus just rusted all to heck and the suspension broke), now I have a RWD. This could be an interesting winter... I'll have to report back and tell you how it went That is, if I remember to

 

[gpse]

toronto, Ontario

Always owned FWD, but after driving a few RWD car's I'm in love with them.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Engineer
Sorry, I meant for snow and ice. I have found that FWD gives me much better traction (not necessarily control) than a RWD vehicle in snow and ice.

OH, and again, does traction control on a RWD vehicle really help?

I would also assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that a limited slip differential (positive traction?) would be beneficial on a RWD vehicle?

TC on a RWD car would help just as much as FWD. Failing that, a LSD would be useful, and if you have a light rear end, putting sandbags in the trunk during the winter helps. With the sandbags, you have just as much traction as any WWD car...more, on uphills.

My car is MR, so I get the advantages of RWD, plus the weight of the engine over the driving wheels for inclement weather.

 

[natto fire]

This thread, and it's views, have been beaten to death. So much that a horse might be envious.

That being said, I am a purist and still love my RWD powertrain layouts.

I live in central Ohio, which used to have quite a bit of snow. (before global climate change) That being said, we have really not had much snow in the past 4 years which could be called decent.

It is funny how people assume that RWD is terrible for snow but forget to obey simple physhics. FWD cars are preferred merely because of there weight balance. There is nothing that actually makes a FWD superior to a RWD configuration it is merely the weight distribution. While a 60/40 split is great for snow traction, it really makes for poor handling dynamics the rest of the year, which is why FWD platforms are continually lambasted in automotive press for there inherent flaws.

LSD is a whole 'nother beast, and can be examined, per your situation, on how it will be used, as certain types exhibit strengths were others present weakness.

That being said, like many things automotive, it all boils down to tires. 90% of the time, the tires are the weak link between your power and getting it to the ground, and should be adjusted accordingly.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Another Wv guy I have one of each. I drive the miata most of time including winter unless it is snowing then I bust out the FWD minivan/crap hauler. The miata really isn't bad in the snow, 50/50 weight distribution, but it has summer only tires on it and I am too lazy to swap them. Really doesn't snow much here anymore anyway.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Central MN, rwd. Drove a 70's pickup w/ 250lbs of sand in the back for a winter. 4 speed manual, 5.2l v8. Positraction rear end . Had no problems in ~10 inches of snow.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
Central MN, rwd. Drove a 70's pickup w/ 250lbs of sand in the back for a winter. 4 speed manual, 5.2l v8. Positraction rear end . Had no problems in ~10 inches of snow.

Thank you. I know plenty of realists see this point from day to day, but a stigma is hard to shake, and as far as pressing tires to the ground during any type of precipitation, more mass has always equaled better adhesion.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
Central MN, rwd. Drove a 70's pickup w/ 250lbs of sand in the back for a winter. 4 speed manual, 5.2l v8. Positraction rear end . Had no problems in ~10 inches of snow.

Thank you. I know plenty of realists see this point from day to day, but a stigma is hard to shake, and as far as pressing tires to the ground during any type of precipitation, more mass has always equaled better adhesion.

Just don't throw that weight around and you'll do just fine. Slow and steady wins.

 

[dug777]

On gravel I much prefer RWD to FWD, and AWD to both.

General driving RWD or AWD, but I can't say that I really care that much

 

[HannibalX]

Eastern TN. I prefer RWD cars. I am not a truck person.