BIG RED

so i have come to notice a lot of the more top of the line cars tend to have rear wheel drive. well atleast most lexuses, bmws, and mercedes' have rear wheel drive. however, why would they put rear wheel drive into most of their cars? like why would they choose it over front wheel drive or even better yet, over all wheel drive? the only reasons i could think of on my own is if someones interested in getting a little drift in their drive and so that they could feel the power more coming from the engine. i was just wondering about this because i live in chicago and a rear wheel drive car kinda sucks to own during the winter season cuz if a really bad snowstorm comes by, your car isnt gonna get you anywhere. ive just been looking into getting a new car and a lot of the cars that i picked out had rwd. this is kind of a more general automotive question. im not a complete idiot about cars but i definitely dont know everything there is to know. sooo any help on this one would really help out

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Troll alert troll alert.

Raptor2k

Because RWD pwnz.

refugeefrompistons

Lol, god learn a website. Its called google.

EdwardsB

Because they know nothing, did no testing, and just thought that RWD sounds cool to say.

AndrewE

dude FWD is economy, for 2 reasons
1 - FWD make better use of the power provided to them, less drivetrain loss
2 - FWD uses a more compact setup therefore Lighter = better gas mileage

Rhawb

Vehicle dynamics.

WoodsOfGreenRx8

AWD tends to be a heavy drivetrain setup. Be my guess.

rglbegl

FWD = better economy

RWD = better fell, better handling

AWD = better chance your tranny will explode

Spin9k

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear_wheel_drive and follow the links for more.

Luftwaffle

*Brace for Failure*

faboo

turn ur drivers license into the DMV and forget about cars ....

the stig

that is when you abuse it or you don't know how to drive a AWD car.


FWD= understeer, cheap, you dont need a long drive shaft go to the back.

RWD=oversteer. good handling, power put out, drifto.

AWD=good handling, VERY good traction, that is why good in snow, rain, dirt.


when people who don't know how to drive AWD cars they might drive it like RWD or FWD. the quick and easy way to make your tranny explode is launch you AWD the wrong way. if you launch it like a RWD or FWD car your tranny life is shorter than your tires.

Startl_Respons

This thread really sucks.

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure I can find this by a simple google search or something but since we're on the topic... what is the correct way to launch an AWD? I think I've seen Evo's or STI's launch by bouncing the rev limiter and dropping the clutch but I can only imagine that's terrible for the tranny....

refugeefrompistons

... FWD does not make better use. Its sharing the axle with the steering causing more drivetrain loss.

remixlp

iTrader: (2)

I have been driving my 8 this winter because school saw to it that i couldn't afford a new car lol. Althought it sucks driving it in the snow, i still like the fact that its rwd. I dont think i need to list the benefits of rwd. Google and all the other rotor heads is gonna rescue you on that one.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

XDEEDUBBX

cause you cant turn a B16 around backwards..they also dont make a 5 speed reverse

alfy28

becaues watching somone drift in a FWD car is free comedy at its best

4me2

+1+1+1

b'Eight'

FWD cars suffer from torque steer (unequal half shafts) and limit the amount of horse power a car can have.

Socket7

Because if BMW and Lexus and Mercedes made front wheel drive cars all the Honda ricers would start driving them, and ruin their professional image.

Good set snow tires and bags of sand in your trunk dude, you'll be fine in the winter

Gish

If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.

YaXMaNGTO

I bet Mugatu was saving this^^
Good timing cuz this thread sucks.