FWD vs RWD vs AWD cars. Which do you prefer & why?

[niky]

It really depends on the vehicle, drivetrain design and specific engine.

In your case, the Fozzie is much lighter than the Starex, has more power (therefore, less trouble overcoming the weight at initial acceleration) and the old turbodiesel is really a notorious guzzler.

When you compare like-to-like vehicles, the non-turbo Impreza has worse consumption than compact sedans of the same size and speed or power.

[aizen]

AWD it gives the best control and handling

[mbeige]

As I have never driven an AWD vehicle before (to the point that I've actually "tested" its handling to say the least) I can only compare FWD and RWD.

FWD is a much more simple design for commuting and is the cheaper for maintenance costs as well as manufacturer costs. FWD is basically drive and steer whereas RWD is more like drive and steer then balance.

RWD was the standard back in the day until the onset of FWD cars in the 1970's. It's more fun to drive because I can push it more than I could with FWD cars.

When you push both vehicles to its limits, when you understeer on a FWD you just let off the pedal and it will regain traction. On RWD you cannot do this because your car might oversteer and lead to a loss of control.

What I don't like with FWD is their weight distribution. The car feels like a cue stick, heavy at one end while the other (rear) is so much lighter. This, and the fact that weight actually goes away from the drive wheels rather than towards them as it is with RWD. Also, when towing anything, FWD has a much lower maximum trailer rating than RWD cars do.

I prefer RWD cars over FWD ones; but under severe conditions, I would like to have an AWD, but RWD also works for me.

[pup2]

It really depends on the vehicle, drivetrain design and specific engine.

In your case, the Fozzie is much lighter than the Starex, has more power (therefore, less trouble overcoming the weight at initial acceleration) and the old turbodiesel is really a notorious guzzler.

When you compare like-to-like vehicles, the non-turbo Impreza has worse consumption than compact sedans of the same size and speed or power.

I did say they don't necessarily go together. They could -- but not necessarily. I guess we're making the same point, just diffrent angles.

[niky]

Hahah... yeah.

As for weight transfer... it depends on the vehicle and the suspension set-up.

In today's increasingly consumerist world, where they have to make 99% of the cars on the road idiot-proof, everything understeers.

I remember talking to a member of bmwe30cc.org, and he was talking about their last track outing. He has a rare AWD E30 325ix (one of only 20,000 made worldwide... I was kinda shocked when I saw it, as I didn't know that generation had AWD!), and when comparing his car to his clubmates' cars, they found that the RWD sedans actually had more midcorner understeer due to the suspension set-up.

A lot of modern cars are set up to understeer in 90% of situations, whether FWD, AWD, or RWD. BUT... modern suspension and drivetrain design means that you can design an an AWD to neutral-steer instead of understeer (stiff rear suspension, rear-biased central differential), a FWD to oversteer like mad (stiff rear suspension + LSD), or a rear-wheel drive to either neutral-steer (using traction control) or oversteer (using a rear LSD and a good suspension) on demand.

[dencio1976]

Hahah... yeah.

As for weight transfer... it depends on the vehicle and the suspension set-up.

In today's increasingly consumerist world, where they have to make 99% of the cars on the road idiot-proof, everything understeers.

I remember talking to a member of bmwe30cc.org, and he was talking about their last track outing. He has a rare AWD E30 325ix (one of only 20,000 made worldwide... I was kinda shocked when I saw it, as I didn't know that generation had AWD!), and when comparing his car to his clubmates' cars, they found that the RWD sedans actually had more midcorner understeer due to the suspension set-up.

A lot of modern cars are set up to understeer in 90% of situations, whether FWD, AWD, or RWD. BUT... modern suspension and drivetrain design means that you can design an an AWD to neutral-steer instead of understeer (stiff rear suspension, rear-biased central differential), a FWD to oversteer like mad (stiff rear suspension + LSD), or a rear-wheel drive to either neutral-steer (using traction control) or oversteer (using a rear LSD and a good suspension) on demand.

sir, being an enthusiast(newbie lang me), how does an LSD help in making a FWD car oversteer? Under a stiff limited slip of differential(to the point of locking) wouldn't it be harder to steer the car at a tighter corner? or does your bearing involve releasing the accelerator? Medyo nakakalito kasi ang LSD. The thing i understand about LSDs is it helps in cutting time around a large corners. (PM ko na lang sana kaso d ako marunong magquote tapos pm) Might even be useful for some readers na din. Car ko kasi FWD and was hoping to track it someday pag natapos na ang restoration nito.

Going back to topic, in terms of maintainance(from a taxi operator's point of view), i'd go for the FWD rather than the RWD. Madali lang ibaba ang tranny ng FWD as compared with the RWD tranny. That is comparing the EE100 to the Isuzu Gemini.

From a guy who drives a van(RWD), car(FWD) at a mild speed, no difference naman.

[niky]

Actually, it's the rear suspension that helps create oversteer. I sort of oversimplified...

An aggressive front LSD helps cure understeer while under throttle, which leads to a sort of neutral steer in corners.

What the LSD does is lock up the diff when your inside front wheel starts spinning. On the track, in a tight corner, you can't accelerate out of said corner easily because when you step on the gas, the unloaded inside front wheel spins away all the power, leading to a slow exit and excessive understeer. With an aggressive LSD, that power goes to the outside front wheel instead. Heck, if it's aggressive enough, it can technically be used to produce oversteer by sending all the power to the outside front wheel, but that might take an electronic diff, and it'd probably be too aggressive for street use (konting kabig lang... BAM!.. spin ka na! ).

An LSD would be great for track, but they're hard to find and/or expensive. Surplus ones are available for some cars (Hondas, Nissans), but durability of surplus items is questionable). The cheapest brand new LSD for my car is about 30,000 pesos. The best... Quaife, costs about 80,000. For that much money, you could have a full suspension set-up already. If you want to track your car, first thing you get is good tires (like Advan Neovas or Falken Azenis), then better brake pads (plus DOT4 fluid, to keep temps under control), then a better suspension. Once you've exhausted all of that, then you get the LSD. (Off-topic off)

[Jun aka Pekto]

I'd say in my lifetime, I'm not going to take any of my cars to the track. Most of my time will be spent driving on nice roads. Maintenance will also be a concern. So, I'll stick with FWD. Simplicity of build, easiest to maintain, and easiest on the checkbook. My 1G DSM was FWD. But, that didn't make it any less fun to drive. Whatever faults it had like its tenacious understeer and torque steer was compensated for by technique. That's just me, though.

I thought about AWD. I figured I'd want one if I was at a place where it rained a lot and hydroplaning was a concern. But, cops would make me slow down anyway. Same goes where it snowed. Cops go with the least common denominator. Most of the time, I'll be going too slow at situations where AWD would shine the most.

[BryanPD]

FWD
okay lang na magundersteer.... may brake naman eh

[Jun aka Pekto]

FWD
okay lang na magundersteer.... may brake naman eh

Brakes? From my experience, I powered my way through a curve. I'd floor it if I have to. It took some learning. But, I learned a lot when I raced (I was driving a FWD DSM) an IROC-Z (RWD) through the curvy parts of I-80 between Reno and Sacramento a long time ago.