View Poll Results: RWD or AWD?
RWD
15
46.88%
AWD
17
53.13%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll
All else equal: RWD or AWD?
#41
The thing is, while AWD may well have some clear advantages in winter weather, it has some drawbacks as well. Personally I'd opt for a shorter stopping distance than a faster stoplight sprint. Then there are the other 345 days of the year where the RWD car will have a decided advantage over the AWD car. To put my comments in context, I had a 530i (RWD) and my neighbor had a 530xi (AWD); my car was easily more tractable than his in anything but snow (and even then the difference wasn't enough to offset the other advantages).
#42
#43
Moderator
Thread Starter
I'd get a C63 or E63 instead. Way over budget. Would like to keep it around 35-40k OTD.
#44
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in Buffalo, NY-AWD with Blizzaks
#45
Moderator
#47
Moderator
#48
Safety Car
To clarify.
Thinking about a sporty sedan for a DD to possibly replace the F150, once we sell our trailer. I need 4 doors & something big enough to carry 2 carseats on occasion.
Looking predominantly at W205 Mercedes C-Class, available in RWD or 4Matic AWD. IIRC, the non AMG 4Matic is something like a 40:60 split F:R, but I haven't found much to specify if it is variable F:R or fixed 40:60. The AMG Sport is 33:66 F:R, again, not sure if fixed or variable.
Thinking about a sporty sedan for a DD to possibly replace the F150, once we sell our trailer. I need 4 doors & something big enough to carry 2 carseats on occasion.
Looking predominantly at W205 Mercedes C-Class, available in RWD or 4Matic AWD. IIRC, the non AMG 4Matic is something like a 40:60 split F:R, but I haven't found much to specify if it is variable F:R or fixed 40:60. The AMG Sport is 33:66 F:R, again, not sure if fixed or variable.
Here's my thoughts from owning quite a few performance cars... RWD feels the most fun because the pushing force is all in the back and the front wheels just steer. Mechanically, the front is much less complicated which translates to better steering feel, less steering effort, and a purer experience. You'll also get more power to the wheels because of less drivetrain loss.
But I'm not a particularly advanced driver with the tail out drifting through turns. I'm happy enough just being able to maintain my racing line on the track. And you really shouldn't be driving tail out on the street at all. So how often is RWD really better than AWD?
So my personal opinion is that RWD is preferable for lower horsepower cars (think Subaru BRZ, Miata, etc). But when you get into the high horsepower (400+), you want AWD. And AWD also especially helps with turbocharged cars because of their uneven power delivery. AWD can help cover up less than stellar technique. The exact cutoff comes down to a frank assessment of your driving skill, and how often you'll be hitting the twisties but to me, 350-400 HP is a good ballpark.
Some cars are fun because they are fast. These would be preferably AWD because that will give you the best acceleration. But then there are cars that are fun even though they are not fast. These should be RWD to maximize their fun factor.
#49
Azine Jabroni
Still waiting for the obligatory FWD injection
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1killercls (02-08-2018)
#50
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
I'd personally get the newer C43/C450AMG over a 6 or 7-year-old E63 AMG. Nothing wrong with those years of E63 AMG, but the newer tech is pretty sweet.
#51
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#52
Azine Jabroni
#53
This is like an ass vs. tits debate that will never end. Face down ass up ass is better hand down
By all accounts the Type-R is a stellar driver in spite the assumed disadvantage of having FWD. I was literally going to add another comment about how lower horsepower cars have no point in getting saddled with AWD, while very powerful cars sometimes AWD is great to extract their full performance, then I saw wackjum's post. But then modern traction control systems help alleviate that. On the other hand, even AWD systems these days can simulate the feeling of the back wheels doing most of the work.
I think if it weren't such a faux pas to tack on a big wing or implement active aerodynamics and aggressive splitters on your stately AMG/M archetype sedans, we wouldn't have this issue. That and maybe rear-engine placement or dramatic weight shifting to the rear. The Agera R has almost four digit horsepower and does fine with RWD.
Skip to 1:47 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=SywqgH7n-5g
By all accounts the Type-R is a stellar driver in spite the assumed disadvantage of having FWD. I was literally going to add another comment about how lower horsepower cars have no point in getting saddled with AWD, while very powerful cars sometimes AWD is great to extract their full performance, then I saw wackjum's post. But then modern traction control systems help alleviate that. On the other hand, even AWD systems these days can simulate the feeling of the back wheels doing most of the work.
I think if it weren't such a faux pas to tack on a big wing or implement active aerodynamics and aggressive splitters on your stately AMG/M archetype sedans, we wouldn't have this issue. That and maybe rear-engine placement or dramatic weight shifting to the rear. The Agera R has almost four digit horsepower and does fine with RWD.
Skip to 1:47 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=SywqgH7n-5g
Last edited by Costco; 02-07-2018 at 04:22 PM.
#54
Ex-OEM King
Yup that’s what I’m saying. Some part time systems do not allow you to lock it in any situations (CRV, RDX, ESCAPE for example). Those ones that do allow you to lock it are fine and give the best of both worlds. The ones that don’t allow you are the garbage systems I was talking about. I recognize that the lock mode turns off at a certain speeds which essentially means you are carrying extra weight around but it’s nice to be able to lock it into AWD for slow speed maneuvering.
The fun part is when you put it in sport mode, it switches to 20/80 F/R at all times which makes it a lot more fun.
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RDX10 (02-07-2018)
#55
This is such a conundrum to me.
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
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JT4 (02-08-2018)
#56
Ex-OEM King
This is such a conundrum to me.
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
It sucks to walk right by it every morning but summer is that much more sweet because of it.
#57
Safety Car
This is such a conundrum to me.
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
If it is a car you want to preserve, I think keeping it out of the winters is a good idea.
#58
What I was getting at is the Jeep doesn't go out of AWD when at speed if it's cold outside in the snow mode. The rear is always engaged and the lock doesn't disengage at any speed. However, it doesn't really matter all that much at high speed as you're not going to go to the track with the Cherokee but the extra drive wheels are still going.
The fun part is when you put it in sport mode, it switches to 20/80 F/R at all times which makes it a lot more fun.
The fun part is when you put it in sport mode, it switches to 20/80 F/R at all times which makes it a lot more fun.
#59
Moderator
Thread Starter
I live in Houston with you. So I don't know anything about snow traction
Here's my thoughts from owning quite a few performance cars... RWD feels the most fun because the pushing force is all in the back and the front wheels just steer. Mechanically, the front is much less complicated which translates to better steering feel, less steering effort, and a purer experience. You'll also get more power to the wheels because of less drivetrain loss.
But I'm not a particularly advanced driver with the tail out drifting through turns. I'm happy enough just being able to maintain my racing line on the track. And you really shouldn't be driving tail out on the street at all. So how often is RWD really better than AWD?
So my personal opinion is that RWD is preferable for lower horsepower cars (think Subaru BRZ, Miata, etc). But when you get into the high horsepower (400+), you want AWD. And AWD also especially helps with turbocharged cars because of their uneven power delivery. AWD can help cover up less than stellar technique. The exact cutoff comes down to a frank assessment of your driving skill, and how often you'll be hitting the twisties but to me, 350-400 HP is a good ballpark.
Some cars are fun because they are fast. These would be preferably AWD because that will give you the best acceleration. But then there are cars that are fun even though they are not fast. These should be RWD to maximize their fun factor.
Here's my thoughts from owning quite a few performance cars... RWD feels the most fun because the pushing force is all in the back and the front wheels just steer. Mechanically, the front is much less complicated which translates to better steering feel, less steering effort, and a purer experience. You'll also get more power to the wheels because of less drivetrain loss.
But I'm not a particularly advanced driver with the tail out drifting through turns. I'm happy enough just being able to maintain my racing line on the track. And you really shouldn't be driving tail out on the street at all. So how often is RWD really better than AWD?
So my personal opinion is that RWD is preferable for lower horsepower cars (think Subaru BRZ, Miata, etc). But when you get into the high horsepower (400+), you want AWD. And AWD also especially helps with turbocharged cars because of their uneven power delivery. AWD can help cover up less than stellar technique. The exact cutoff comes down to a frank assessment of your driving skill, and how often you'll be hitting the twisties but to me, 350-400 HP is a good ballpark.
Some cars are fun because they are fast. These would be preferably AWD because that will give you the best acceleration. But then there are cars that are fun even though they are not fast. These should be RWD to maximize their fun factor.
These are 330 to 240 hp cars, C400 & C300.
A C450 or C43 would be great, but the ones I've found locally are high mileage or over budget.
#60
There is no perfect place to live, is there...
#61
Safety Car
I'm keeping an eye out for a clean C400, which is AWD only, ideally. But, am going to give a C300 (RWD or AWD) with the sport package/suspension a drive & see what I think.
These are 330 to 240 hp cars, C400 & C300.
A C450 or C43 would be great, but the ones I've found locally are high mileage or over budget.
These are 330 to 240 hp cars, C400 & C300.
A C450 or C43 would be great, but the ones I've found locally are high mileage or over budget.
#62
Ex-OEM King
I always considered the system in your Cherokee to be very unique however I had no idea just how variable and unique it is. I really like that a lot actually. I never knew it was even possible to have it set at 80:20 Rear/front. You continuously pique my interest in the cherokee. My friend owns a trailhawk as well and I had no clue how capable their vehicle was. I also love that you can get a leather stitched dash in the overland trim, that’s crazy for the price point. Definitely something to consider down the line. Very very interested right now.
It's a lot of fun and far more capable than people think.
But what about that one guy you know who has to shovel his driveway all the time so he can pull his 1998 Subaru Legacy out of the driveway while his 2017 M5 sits clean-but-dusty inside the garage and drops almost a thousand each month in depreciation?
There is no perfect place to live, is there...
There is no perfect place to live, is there...
#63
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#64
Trailhawk has a stitched dash too, it's just not real leather though I don't think the one in the Overland is either.
It's a lot of fun and far more capable than people think.
If someone can afford a 2017 M5 then they can probably afford the depreciation on it. It all comes down to priorities though, if you are able to make it happen then go for it. If not, it's not like there aren't alternatives...
It's a lot of fun and far more capable than people think.
If someone can afford a 2017 M5 then they can probably afford the depreciation on it. It all comes down to priorities though, if you are able to make it happen then go for it. If not, it's not like there aren't alternatives...
If someone can afford a 2017 M5 he should also buy a nicer winter car
#65
CTSV,TL, Audi Q7 & A5SB
This is such a conundrum to me.
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
If I had a nice, powerful sedan, I would probably want to drive it year round if there was snow. But part of me hates the idea of road salt slowly eating away at my car. But why buy a nice car only to let it sit in the garage for months out of the year?
#66
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#67
GEEZER
#68
Azine Jabroni
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#69
#70
Senior Moderator
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Interesting debate and maybe I read the topic wrong... but I took this thread as more of a "what would you prefer" versus "what is better".
I definitely do not think there is a one-size-fits-all here so it would be tough to say what's better... but everyone would certainly have their own preference...
I definitely do not think there is a one-size-fits-all here so it would be tough to say what's better... but everyone would certainly have their own preference...
#71
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^ This. Like half the responses, it depends on the purpose of the car. I vote AWD for functionality but RWD for fun Then again, not to be an Acura fan boy, but the SH-AWD system is pretty fun around the corners. Good luck drifting with it though......
#72
Moderator
Thread Starter
Interesting debate and maybe I read the topic wrong... but I took this thread as more of a "what would you prefer" versus "what is better".
I definitely do not think there is a one-size-fits-all here so it would be tough to say what's better... but everyone would certainly have their own preference...
I definitely do not think there is a one-size-fits-all here so it would be tough to say what's better... but everyone would certainly have their own preference...
As has been mentioned, being in Houston, RWD makes more sense on a lower powered car.
#73
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Living in Los Angeles metro where daytime temps are in 70*+F about 10 months of the year, I vote for RWD, which is usually lighter by 200 lbs and with a less complex drivetrain than AWD.
#74
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
So I lived in a lot of snowy places (Europe and Colorado), and a hot rainy place (Okinawa) for the last 22 years so here's my take:
In the wet (in particular, asphalt that is made of coral) I preferred the SpecB Legacy to my 2G TL FWD and the wife's Honda Odyssey FWD. The added plus was a slight 45/55 bias to the rear for some fun. But the car was unreal when it came to traction. I ran summers (Bridgestone RE02A) and the car stuck like a whore on her last meal/BJ. But they wore out very fast (same with the whore). So I swapped to Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S-C performance all weather and they were much better in length of ownership. Grip was down a bit, but no issue when I took the car to Germany and on the autobahn. They heated up nicely and stuck to the road.
In Colorado, the wife's Subaru makes about as much power as a hamster in a habitrail. But the car is OK with the 50/50 split in torque. One wheel will get grip when it's real bad, so no big deal. My Volvo is a FWD bias Haldex system, but AWD is on all the time. It will use traction control (DSTC) along with changing the bias in slippery situations. Works well. The tires BTW, are Continental Conticontact 2.
In summary, The tire/drive combination matters as does the amount of precipitation. For me, I love the Subaru system but I think if I lived in a hot dry place, I would go with RWD.
In the wet (in particular, asphalt that is made of coral) I preferred the SpecB Legacy to my 2G TL FWD and the wife's Honda Odyssey FWD. The added plus was a slight 45/55 bias to the rear for some fun. But the car was unreal when it came to traction. I ran summers (Bridgestone RE02A) and the car stuck like a whore on her last meal/BJ. But they wore out very fast (same with the whore). So I swapped to Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S-C performance all weather and they were much better in length of ownership. Grip was down a bit, but no issue when I took the car to Germany and on the autobahn. They heated up nicely and stuck to the road.
In Colorado, the wife's Subaru makes about as much power as a hamster in a habitrail. But the car is OK with the 50/50 split in torque. One wheel will get grip when it's real bad, so no big deal. My Volvo is a FWD bias Haldex system, but AWD is on all the time. It will use traction control (DSTC) along with changing the bias in slippery situations. Works well. The tires BTW, are Continental Conticontact 2.
In summary, The tire/drive combination matters as does the amount of precipitation. For me, I love the Subaru system but I think if I lived in a hot dry place, I would go with RWD.
#75
I drive a Subata.
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If I am going to track the car, then RWD.
If not, then RWD.
If not, then RWD.
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#76
Banned
Did I hear something? AWD is mostly a gammick marketed for people who wants all the bells & whistles or are scared to be scared. In some cases, it is a commodity.
In winters, here, cops and taxis get around in 2WD cars. I guess that they are no sissies.
It is very interesting that no SRT or Hellcat (event eh Demon) cars is AWD. No Corvette, Mustang or Camaro AWD either. All of them have sub 4s 0-60mph variants.
And yeah, FWD is more predictable than AWD. Meaning safer. For fun, RWD please.
In winters, here, cops and taxis get around in 2WD cars. I guess that they are no sissies.
It is very interesting that no SRT or Hellcat (event eh Demon) cars is AWD. No Corvette, Mustang or Camaro AWD either. All of them have sub 4s 0-60mph variants.
And yeah, FWD is more predictable than AWD. Meaning safer. For fun, RWD please.
#78
Senior Moderator
So for what's in my garage:
AWD for my daily driver
RWD for my fun cars
Any more questions?
AWD for my daily driver
RWD for my fun cars
Any more questions?
#79
The Third Ball
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#80
Team Owner
And the Hellcat/Demon were specifically intended to be tire shredding RWD drag cars, right out of the box. Like wtf, Saintor
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