I will end this right now...... AWD > *

 

As I read the first/opening post of this thread, I didn't see where it was mentioned that FWD trumps RWD on the track and during extreme driving. The premise of this thread is FWD trumps RWD during normal, everyday driving on both dry and wet pavement. We all know RWD is the way to go on the track or else NASCAR, F1, Indy, etc would be using FWD platforms. Obviously the car companies have all gone to FWD platforms for most of their cars for the reasons that were listed in the original post. Are all the car companies and their engineers stupid? No, they see that for the masses, FWD is the best alternative for the average daily driver and I can say that my FWD Max can make my daily commutes more than mundane, they can actually be pretty exciting. The RWD platforms are making a resurgence b/c of the computer assisted traction controls and vehicle stability controls, abs, etc but those are still reserved for the high end models that start about $10,000 more than a loaded Max. Am I gonna have the occasion to drive my car at its limits during my ownership with it? Probably not, except for straight line takeoffs. Did you ever see the BMW commercials that list the percentage of their owners that will need the braking power, acceleration, traction control, etc? It ain't 100%. So then you need to ask yourself, is it worth it to have all of that potential built into the RWD car, far more than you will ever use on "the road" if you will never use it? It all comes down to a cost/benefits analysis and the FWD setup provides the best solution for the average driver and for those that describe themselves as above average or excellent drivers. Someone mentioned AWD, it has its drawbacks too, most notably MPG. Just my opinion...

 

Not so fast... Which AWD are you talking about? The safety conscious family hauler (like the Fruad 500) or performance (EVO/WRX) variety? The 500 still plows, the EVO/WRX still slides; if you push.

 

No, I think I said that both FWD and RWD have their advantages, and I merely wanted to recognize some of FWD's good points.

My M45 is roomier, more comfortable, more luxurious, and certainly more powerful than my Maxima. But there are some things about the Maxima that I have to say I enjoy, and some of them are directly related to FWD.

So no, I didn't make any blanket statement that I "prefer my FWD Maxima over my M45". Where did you see that?

 

Trailbraking is used to load the front tires to increase traction. Last season I raced a SSC ACR Neon and that car required alot of trailbraking to get the car to balance correctly through the corner. A good FWD corner will consist of a quick trailbrake to plant the weight over the front wheels, turn-in, accelerate as much is needed to keep the car neutral. If this is done correctly you will get a perfect 4 wheel drift through a corner in a FWD car.

Now in a RWD car (using my Spec Miata as example to the Neon) the trailbraking is not necessary, most of the time simply lifting will plant the front wheels enough to get through the corner in a neutral manner.

Mark

 

Funny you say that! I have a 450rwhp/798rwtq Powerstroke Superduty and I can drift that 7,000 lbs tank like a 240sx with a SR20DET

 

Your point makes no sense, please explain.

 

It is the balance a "driver" feels in a RWD car that makes it rewarding as a daily driver. Most people don't know the difference and is why FWD does not matter to them. I don't need to race a RWD to appreciate the handling characteristics.

 

 

Yes but my point there was is it worth the extra money to feel that "balance" as a person commutes 15 miles to and from work each day? Not for me.

 

the way you say that sounds like it would be better to have both power and steering to the rear wheels..lol, because you are saying especially when the power and steering is to the front wheels..

just caught my attention

 

Chill out Mike, i'm just joking with you.

 

I think that the FWD/RWD argument is a hard one to settle, because most people are really used to one or the other, but not both (yeah, yeah... I know that some of you have both FWD and RWD vehicles).

I was recently at a Mazda track event where I had the opportunity to take a stock Mazda Miata, Mazda 3, Mazda 5, and Mazda 6 around an autocross course. I realize that the Miata should be the fastest car around the course, but I ended up following a much cleaner line with much more control in the FWD models.

That does NOT mean that FWD is superior to RWD or that the Mazda 3 is superior to the Miata for autocrossing. It just means that driving hard in a FWD car requires a different set of skills and instincts than driving hard in a RWD car. The only RWD vehicles I've ever owned have been pickup trucks and my Jeep Wrangler. Needless to say, I didn't ever auto-x in those cars, so I didn't have to perfect my RWD driving skills the way that I've worked on my FWD driving skills.