What do you prefer? AWD, FWD or RWD

[martinijosh]

In light of the now locked thread, vote for your preferred platform.
Keep it clean, no banter and blabber or bogan droning "rrwwdddd hhuurrrrr".

What is YOUR preferred platform for all types of cars, whether they be sports cars, family sedans, hot hatches, wagons, vans, etc. (you get the idea)

Feel free to expand on your vote and explain why you prefer that particular platform.

Note: Poll is sorted alphabetically (except for other, which clearly belongs at the end)

I have a soft spot for RWD sports cars (one of my all time favourite cars is RWD with Hicas ) So that gets my vote.

[mac_man_luke]

I think RWD can be more fun but i think AWD is a superior technology eg grippier, safer and generally faster through corners.

FWD just sucks generally (few acceptable exceptions eg focus RS)

[EF Hoon]

RWD in the dry, AWD in the wet.

Only AWD if power is biased mainly to the rear like a GTR, makes them fast and fun.

[irlewy86]

RWD for sure. Just yesterday a late model M3 reminded me of its merits with a spectacular driving display.

[martinijosh]

Agree with you both there, AWD is safer and gives plenty of grip, but if not biased to the rear as mentioned by EF hoon I think it causes under steer issues from the front wheels having too much power fed to them - depends on the setup, and more importantly on the driver.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[PHANTMXR6]

Whilst I prefer a RWD car, if I had to share with the missus, AWD for sure.

It puts my mind at ease.

[martinijosh]

Originally Posted by PHANTMXR6

Whilst I prefer a RWD car, if I had to share with the missus, AWD for sure.

It puts my mind at ease.

What do you prefer? AWD, FWD or RWD

Should have voted for what you prefer as per the thread title

[MAGPIE]

AWD... that is proper AWD not this rubbish that drives the fronts and when it detects slip it transfers power to the rear

RWD a close second now with all the TC/DSC systems we have on cars

FWD good for... ummmmm..... arrrrrrrrrr..... hmmmmmm.....

But seriously if your going to own a FWD car, Ford do make the best of them (Focus & Mondeo)

[blueoval]

I love AWD technology for handling and safety and generally getting out of slippery conditions was a bonus. But I found it very boring quickly. RWD while is fun when yuo have the power to rip it up, can get annoying if you need to push out of a corner fast due to inside wheel wanting to spin.

I like them both for different reasons. If I had the choice and if it existed, a performance RWD car that can utilize AWD capabilities with the flick of the switch. (4WD off road cars not included)

[jpd80]

For me, RWD + electric drive on front wheels, giving both AWD and hybrid features at the same time.

The system Ford is looking at for future RWD vehicles.....

[martinijosh]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I love AWD technology for handling and safety and generally getting out of slippery conditions was a bonus. But I found it very boring quickly. RWD while is fun when yuo have the power to rip it up, can get annoying if you need to push out of a corner fast due to inside wheel wanting to spin.

I like them both for different reasons. If I had the choice and if it existed, a performance RWD car that can utilize AWD capabilities with the flick of the switch. (4WD off road cars not included)

I remember an ad on TV awhile ago for the (then new) Liberty, the upper model had a dial in the middle under the gear lever that could switch between FWD, AWD and RWD.

Originally Posted by jpd80

It's a subjective question as most people associate FWD with the performance and limitations of a FWD Aurion.
IMO, perhaps we should be looking at the likes of Audi in respect to the feel of well designed FWD and AWD vehicles.

Until we get past the preconceived notions of what a FWD car would mean, most will continue to vote RWD.

For me, RWD with with electric drive on front wheels to add both hybrid and AWD at the same time.

The weight on the front would destroy handling, better to have a 4cyl with a small turbo in the front I think and an electric motor just behind the rear seats (or under them?)

And the torque an electric motor produces would destroy the front tyres without some pretty crazy TC tech to handle the 800-1200nm of torque.

[Fev]

I picked other since i like to drive all 3.. RWD are fun in the wet, XR5T are an awesome car to drive as well as the new Mondeos, AWD cars like Subys and VW Golfs grip so well..
I don't really have a big number one choice - but it depends on the car, sportyness and power

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by martinijosh JWM I6

I remember an ad on TV awhile ago for the (then new) Liberty, the upper model had a dial in the middle under the gear lever that could switch between FWD, AWD and RWD.

I wonder if its the Liberty 3.0RB or GT by STI. Any idea on which model they were talking about?

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I love AWD technology for handling and safety and generally getting out of slippery conditions was a bonus. But I found it very boring quickly.

You weren't driving the right type of roads then

I loved nothing more than pushing my WRX around tight & twisty back roads (wet or dry), and the tighter the turns the better because it keeps it legal (under 100kph).

[martinijosh]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I wonder if its the Liberty 3.0RB or GT by STI. Any idea on which model they were talking about?

No mate sorry, would have been atleast 5 years ago. I'll do some snooping and try to find it.

It might have actually been the Legacy?

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by martinijosh JWM I6

I remember an ad on TV awhile ago for the (then new) Liberty, the upper model had a dial in the middle under the gear lever that could switch between FWD, AWD and RWD.

Nope, it's the SI Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) alters the mapping and shift points nothing to do with the driven wheels.

Edit: the only other dials they have is the DCCD on the WRX STi (that does alter drive to the wheels)

[DENKO]

RWD any day!! So much more fun, even in the wet!!!

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

You weren't driving the right type of roads then

I loved nothing more than pushing my WRX around tight & twisty back roads (wet or dry), and the tighter the turns the better because it keeps it legal (under 100kph).

More like I wasn't driving the right car. The subaru I had was a MY01 wheezy 2L n/a wagon.

What I wouldnt have given for a Liberty GT by STi at the time. If I went back to Subaru, it wouldnt be in anything less than something turbo charged put it this way.

[martinijosh]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Nope, it's the SI Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) alters the mapping and shift points nothing to do with the driven wheels.

Okay, but I'm sure in the ad the car had the ability to switch driven wheels.

It was driving in the desert/possibly a salt flat with another car next to it.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by martinijosh JWM I6

Okay, but I'm sure in the ad the car had the ability to switch driven wheels.

It was driving in the desert/possibly a salt flat with another car next to it.

I know what commercial you mean, it was the Intelligent SI drive. It probably gave more power to the rear wheels with the different mapping but doubt it had ability to switch between front or rear completely.

lol. got me all excited there for a minute.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by martinijosh JWM I6

Okay, but I'm sure in the ad the car had the ability to switch driven wheels.

It was driving in the desert/possibly a salt flat with another car next to it.

Negative (not on a production model anyway)

Like I said the DCCD on the WRX STi is the only function that can change the drive between wheels and it is not switching drive between the wheels it is merely increasing or decreasing to either front or rear.

[martinijosh]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Negative (not on a production model anyway)

Like I said the DCCD on the WRX STi is the only function that can change the drive between wheels and it is not switching drive between the wheels it is merely increasing or decreasing to either front or rear.

No worries, happy to be corrected

[Ben73]

Cannot say I have driven many RWD car's But I think they will be my favorite, although AWD is fantastic when you wanna go fats in corners....... hmm actually AWD is my fave, as long as it is slight Rear Biased.

[MITCHAY]

I have a WRX so have to say I prefer AWD. When you get used to it and learn about your car you can get it sideways if you want.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by martinijosh JWM I6

The weight on the front would destroy handling, better to have a 4cyl with a small turbo in the front I think and an electric motor just behind the rear seats (or under them?)

And the torque an electric motor produces would destroy the front tyres without some pretty crazy TC tech to handle the 800-1200nm of torque.

The system I referred to is one that Ford is actively studying for RWD/AWD.

[TZENU]

For track and Dandy mountain runs I would take the 4WD (especially after driving an R32 GTR recently!!) ... For fun and the strip I'd have the RWD any day of the week...

[EvilNemo]

.....

[Raptor]

It's no accident that my Territory is AWD

Whilst I don't consider one drive configuration best for all applications a proper AWD will always get my vote

The Poll has been edited to close after 30 days - I can't stand open-ended polls that still collect votes years after the thread has served it's useful purpose.

[DJM83]

Having had RWD cars all my life (probably one of the handling falcons, the AU) i moved recently to a smaller car.
What i can say that is my old TE50 was the best handling car id ever drivin due to the IRS IMO being the best set up ever in an aussie Ford.
In my small time owning my XR5 i can garrantee you this id love to see my old TE keep up with my XR5 on ANY road with some corners, it just isnt in the same league as my Focus. And they can be made even better with the addition of a Quaife.
RWD cars can be made to handle i know that ive seen plenty, but one thing you cant change (well in a road car) is in most instances it the heavy weight penalty.
AWD is a different kettle of fish again, id love to own an EVO as i see these as the epitome of proper handling characteristics (First hand).
IMO you cannot base your opinion on any drive characteristic until you have drivin one that was actually meant to have some performance pedigree ie i30, corolla
I guess at the end of the day its what you want your car for.

[JC]

Originally Posted by EF Hoon

RWD in the dry, AWD in the wet.

Agree with this, so I went AWD