View Poll Results: RWD or AWD?
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All else equal: RWD or AWD?

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Old 02-16-2018, 10:35 AM
  #201  
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Sam, who cares... Opinions are like buttholes. Everyone has one.

Until proof is provided, the only winner will be he who shouts the longest and loudest. Everyone else just gets tired and walks away

im not saying anyone is right or wrong in here. There have been very good arguments from both sides. But we have gotten down to the level of splitting hairs and I'm thinking that only scientifically conducted experiments would give us firm answers... And nobody got time for dat.
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Old 02-16-2018, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
There isn't but again, by your logic, you should stop miles ahead of the Jeep right?
No idea; way too many other factors to formulate even a guess.
Old 02-16-2018, 11:22 AM
  #203  
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
Forgive me for splitting the hairs. On more than one occasion folks in this thread have maintained AWD was superior in all aspects in winter conditions; all I've been trying to do is to point out the flaw in that logic.

Regarding the extra weight; sorry, a heavier car, all else being equal, will always stop in a longer distance in the snow.
so it now comes down to the weight of a car? so in other words nothing to do with drive train... and even that isn't always the case

as tested by C&D

2015 legacy 2.5i
curb weight 3480 lb
Braking, 70-0 mph: 173 ft

2016 Accord 2.4
curb weight 3325
Braking, 70-0 mph: 178 ft

I would venture a guess and say better brakes better tires will help a heavier car stop shorter.

Last edited by YeuEmMaiMai; 02-16-2018 at 11:29 AM.
Old 02-16-2018, 12:04 PM
  #204  
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Originally Posted by YeuEmMaiMai
so it now comes down to the weight of a car? so in other words nothing to do with drive train... and even that isn't always the case

as tested by C&D

2015 legacy 2.5i
curb weight 3480 lb
Braking, 70-0 mph: 173 ft

2016 Accord 2.4
curb weight 3325
Braking, 70-0 mph: 178 ft

I would venture a guess and say better brakes better tires will help a heavier car stop shorter.
I don't understand why you and others seem to want to take everything I say out of context. The context is ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL! Since when are a 2015 Legacy and a 2016 Accord even remotely equal?
Old 02-16-2018, 12:23 PM
  #205  
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Jesus Christ horseshoez, just give it up. Even if you do win the internet today, in the grand scheme of things, you're still a loser

(I don't mean that as an insult at all. No one wins on the internet. And even if they do.. they're not actually winning!!)

Here's your participation ribbon!



Old 02-16-2018, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by TacoBello
Jesus Christ horseshoez, just give it up. Even if you do win the internet today, in the grand scheme of things, you're still a loser

(I don't mean that as an insult at all. No one wins on the internet. And even if they do.. they're not actually winning!!)

Here's your participation ribbon!



Thanks, errr, sort of. I don't do participation awards; I'm a life long competitor, and if I didn't earn the win, I don't want the award.

I guess what irks me the most is having folks twist my words into things I never said or even implied. That said, you are totally correct, 'nuff said in this thread.
Old 02-16-2018, 12:28 PM
  #207  
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Originally Posted by TacoBello
Jesus Christ horseshoez, just give it up. Even if you do win the internet today, in the grand scheme of things, you're still a loser

(I don't mean that as an insult at all. No one wins on the internet. And even if they do.. they're not actually winning!!)

Here's your participation ribbon!



When Taco is giving participation ribbons we have a problem!
Old 02-16-2018, 12:36 PM
  #208  
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Originally Posted by wackjum
With FWD, the technique to get around a turn quickly is different. You can't simply add power to step the rear out a little. The rears in a FWD car will almost always have more grip than the fronts so there's no rotation. Instead, the technique with FWD is to get a little bit of trail braking (because braking transfers weight to the front and presses down in the power wheels) and then power your way out of the turn. Point the car's front where you want to go and get on the throttle and have the front tires claw your car out of the turn (this is why FWD cars need an LSD. If either of the two tires lose grip, you're not going to go anywhere with an open diff).
One great thing about the Focus ST is that you can induce lift-off oversteer. It's not difficult to get it tail-happy. For being a FWD car, the driver can enter the turn hot on the throttle and then simply lift-off to get the rear to rotate some and thus in turn rotate the nose of the car to where you want to go. Then power through the rest. But the trick is knowing how much throttle. Obviously too much and you won't turn enough and end up understeering into the wall or side of the road. But a nice little trick.
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Old 02-16-2018, 12:50 PM
  #209  
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Originally Posted by YeuEmMaiMai
so it now comes down to the weight of a car? so in other words nothing to do with drive train... and even that isn't always the case

as tested by C&D

2015 legacy 2.5i
curb weight 3480 lb
Braking, 70-0 mph: 173 ft

2016 Accord 2.4
curb weight 3325
Braking, 70-0 mph: 178 ft

I would venture a guess and say better brakes better tires will help a heavier car stop shorter.
But it all needs to be equal!!!!

Originally Posted by horseshoez
I don't understand why you and others seem to want to take everything I say out of context. The context is ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL! Since when are a 2015 Legacy and a 2016 Accord even remotely equal?
An AWD model and a RWD model are inherently unequal by design.
Old 02-16-2018, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
An AWD model and a RWD model are inherently unequal by design.
Here are four "all else being equal" examples:
Old 02-16-2018, 01:46 PM
  #211  
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^ and I just showed you how a heavier AWD car outperformed a lighter fwd car in your claimed braking scenario.. the legacy has better brakes and the accord (dual piston vs single piston) and slightly better tires... those two factors (brakes/tires) have the largest impact on stopping distance.

look what we have here (again from Car and Driver)

2016 BMW 330i
Curb weight: 3981 lb
Braking, 70-0 mph: 171 ft

so despite being 500lbs heaver than t he legacy and 600+lbs heavier than the Accord, it stopped 2ft shorter than the Legacy and 7 feet shorter than the Accord...again thanks to brakes and tires not RWD lol
nice try

Last edited by YeuEmMaiMai; 02-16-2018 at 01:51 PM.
Old 02-16-2018, 02:00 PM
  #212  
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Originally Posted by YeuEmMaiMai
^ and I just showed you how a heavier AWD car outperformed a lighter fwd car in your claimed braking scenario.. the legacy has better brakes and the accord (dual piston vs single piston) and slightly better tires... those two factors (brakes/tires) have the largest impact on stopping distance.

look what we have here (again from Car and Driver)

2016 BMW 330i
Curb weight: 3981 lb
Braking, 70-0 mph: 171 ft

so despite being 500lbs heaver than t he legacy and 600+lbs heavier than the Accord, it stopped 2ft shorter than the Legacy and 7 feet shorter than the Accord...again thanks to brakes and tires not RWD lol
nice try
The point you keep missing is there are way too many factors to make such a comparison; I mean seriously, a 6,000 pound Bently Mulsanne Speed will stop way faster than any of cars you referenced, and yet a 2,332 pound Miata Club will stop faster still.

Unless you strictly compare apples to apples for everything but the AWD vs RWD drivetrain, all argument/comparisons are moot.

Do you understand now?
Old 02-16-2018, 03:29 PM
  #213  
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Some good data from CR including use of snow and all season tires.
And a comparison of Subaru, HOnda and Toyota small crossovers 4wd and AWD systems

And if you can stand his voice Engineering Explained has a great tutorial on the various 4WD systems.
It's not simple and black/white but worth watching.


Last edited by Legend2TL; 02-16-2018 at 03:42 PM.
Old 02-16-2018, 03:57 PM
  #214  
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
I've been saying "all else being equal" since this thread started.
Originally Posted by SamDoe1
But that's not a correct assumption to make.
Well the thread title itself began the discussion with "all else equal"... so he's not that far off-base as that was more or less the OPs original intention...
Old 02-16-2018, 03:58 PM
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^ True & I think it's about run it's course. Some good information was presented.
In the end, the original reason for my post has come & gone, and the F150 will stay for now.
Old 02-16-2018, 04:09 PM
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^ Par for the course with threads like this. People disregard the original intent and twist it to fit their narrative. Like I said a few pages back, everyone has their own opinion and this thread can go on and on forever as everyone wants the last word. At this point, it's probably useless to you, but others may still want to have a say

PS - get rid of the F150 and get a Tundra
Old 02-16-2018, 04:32 PM
  #217  
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Not quite RWD vs AWD but there was an interesting thread on TLX AWD vs TLX FWD...
https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-g...sh-awd-936701/
Old 02-19-2018, 09:45 AM
  #218  
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Originally Posted by juniorbean
^ Par for the course with threads like this. People disregard the original intent and twist it to fit their narrative. Like I said a few pages back, everyone has their own opinion and this thread can go on and on forever as everyone wants the last word. At this point, it's probably useless to you, but others may still want to have a say

PS - get rid of the F150 and get a Tundra
Nah, the F isn't going anywhere anytime soon, unless this sunroof issue stays unresolved.
If I got another truck, it'd likely be another F150, then maybe a Sierra/Silverado, then a Tundra. Doubtful the Ram or Titan would even get a look.
Old 02-19-2018, 01:03 PM
  #219  
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does 2WD or 4WD have anything to do with braking? in snow or in dry?

I mean unless you are stepping on the brake and the gas paddle together, otherwise, there should not be any power in any of the wheels when you are braking. So why does 2WD or 4WD have anything to do with braking?

Unless we are talking about 2 wheel brakings, which i dont know if it exist in today's world.

Braking is primarily about the weight or weight distribution/transfer, tires and other braking hardwares as far as i know....
Old 02-19-2018, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
does 2WD or 4WD have anything to do with braking? in snow or in dry?

I mean unless you are stepping on the brake and the gas paddle together, otherwise, there should not be any power in any of the wheels when you are braking. So why does 2WD or 4WD have anything to do with braking?

Unless we are talking about 2 wheel brakings, which i dont know if it exist in today's world.

Braking is primarily about the weight or weight distribution/transfer, tires and other braking hardwares as far as i know....
The only things missing are the drag on the transmission and your contact patch of tire/road.
Old 02-19-2018, 01:27 PM
  #221  
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It's at least an additional 200 pounds that the same size brakes need to stop also
Old 02-19-2018, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
does 2WD or 4WD have anything to do with braking? in snow or in dry?

I mean unless you are stepping on the brake and the gas paddle together, otherwise, there should not be any power in any of the wheels when you are braking. So why does 2WD or 4WD have anything to do with braking?

Unless we are talking about 2 wheel brakings, which i dont know if it exist in today's world.

Braking is primarily about the weight or weight distribution/transfer, tires and other braking hardwares as far as i know....
Simple answer, 2WD weighs less and as such, will stop in a shorter distance, all else being equal.
Old 02-19-2018, 03:25 PM
  #223  
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I think the 'all else equal' is being used in the sense of 'in a vacuum' application, which wasn't my original intent.

My original purpose was that a car like the Mercedes C300 can be had in RWD and AWD, in multiple trim levels, but is otherwise identical. Didn't really intend on something like a RWD Charger vs an AWD Legacy as it's not a straightforward comparison.
Old 02-19-2018, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
I think the 'all else equal' is being used in the sense of 'in a vacuum' application, which wasn't my original intent.

My original purpose was that a car like the Mercedes C300 can be had in RWD and AWD, in multiple trim levels, but is otherwise identical. Didn't really intend on something like a RWD Charger vs an AWD Legacy as it's not a straightforward comparison.
Agreed, from an engineering perspective, keep the variables to a minimum and then compare the performance differences. The list I supplied in an earlier post is a good set of "all else being equal" RWD-AWD cars.
Old 02-19-2018, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
Simple answer, 2WD weighs less and as such, will stop in a shorter distance, all else being equal.
So the real reason is the weight, not 2WD vs. 4WD.

Because you can have 4WD cars that are lighter than certain 2WD cars (from different brand). the drivetrain themselves do not help or worsen braking distance.
Old 02-19-2018, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
So the real reason is the weight, not 2WD vs. 4WD.

Because you can have 4WD cars that are lighter than certain 2WD cars (from different brand). the drivetrain themselves do not help or worsen braking distance.
Okay, I need to shut up now.
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Old 02-20-2018, 09:12 AM
  #227  
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Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
I think the 'all else equal' is being used in the sense of 'in a vacuum' application, which wasn't my original intent.

My original purpose was that a car like the Mercedes C300 can be had in RWD and AWD, in multiple trim levels, but is otherwise identical. Didn't really intend on something like a RWD Charger vs an AWD Legacy as it's not a straightforward comparison.
My point was that, while they both come in RWD/AWD, they may not actually be identical in regards to things that aren't drive wheels.
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Old 02-20-2018, 01:14 PM
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I'd forgotten there were even some F1 and Indy cars with AWD, not successful but one almost won in Indy (with a turbine engine no less).
Here's Derek Bell driving the McLaren M9A which was AWD.

Old 02-22-2018, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
I think the 'all else equal' is being used in the sense of 'in a vacuum' application, which wasn't my original intent.

My original purpose was that a car like the Mercedes C300 can be had in RWD and AWD, in multiple trim levels, but is otherwise identical. Didn't really intend on something like a RWD Charger vs an AWD Legacy as it's not a straightforward comparison.
So given that: Audi A4 Quattro > A4 FWD IMO. I'm OK with the extra weight. I just have a preference for AWD. Now, if it were C300 vs. C350, well, I'd take the C350 for the extra HP.
Old 02-23-2018, 08:25 AM
  #230  
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Originally Posted by mrmako
So given that: Audi A4 Quattro > A4 FWD IMO. I'm OK with the extra weight. I just have a preference for AWD. Now, if it were C300 vs. C350, well, I'd take the C350 for the extra HP.
Right.
The Audi comparison makes sense, as they're essentially the same car, with the difference being what is required for FWD vs AWD.
The Mercedes, though. The C350 was discontinued (except for the W205 C350e), so not a direct comparison, for C300 vs C350 in the W205 generation. But the W205 has the same as the Audi, in that the C300 in RWD & AWD are the same, aside from what is required to add AWD.
Old 02-23-2018, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Right.
The Audi comparison makes sense, as they're essentially the same car, with the difference being what is required for FWD vs AWD.
The Mercedes, though. The C350 was discontinued (except for the W205 C350e), so not a direct comparison, for C300 vs C350 in the W205 generation. But the W205 has the same as the Audi, in that the C300 in RWD & AWD are the same, aside from what is required to add AWD.
I was thinking the previous gen C class. Not really fond of the new body style for the C or E. But the previous one had a C300 4matic or non. And yep, the 350 was RWD only, however it always appeared to me a touch lower in stance than the 300, and more HP is a nice thing.
Old 02-23-2018, 07:40 PM
  #232  
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All else being equal - more fun or physically better/faster/more control?
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