Question sparked by the "So much for AWD" thread. I haven't driven anything besides FWD, but I've heard that RWD is more fun than FWD. I'm curious what you folks think, and I'd be interested to hear why you prefer what drivetrain.

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1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I live in a mountainous region that sees a fair amount of snow and ice in the winter. If I'm not driving uphill, it's because I'm driving downhill. Daily driver? AWD, please.

Depends on what you are trying to do.


For me RWD>AWD>FWD.

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it's automatic.

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exactly.

FWD is the least fun of them all.
Four wheel is the most fun off road and in conditions too extreme for rear wheel.
Rear wheel is great most all the time.

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1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
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I've enjoyed excellent examples of FWD (Audi, Honda, Toyota) and RWD (Sunbeam, Mercedes). Many say AWD is superior, but the added drag and weight reduces fuel-mileage, and it typically requires more complex & expensive maintenance & repair.
With the older vehicles I drive, simpler is better. As I don't live in a remote, snowy, mountainous area, and I don't have a job that requires my being there regardless of the weather, FWD is sufficient.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

RWD unless I'm dealing with >6" of snow or mud on a frequent basis.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

I do an average of 40-60 trips a year into fairly extreme snow and icy conditions. I tend to chase snow storms.

And then there is the seemingly endless rain the rest of the year.

Given this, it’s not terribly surprising that I’ve driven my 4-matic SUV 2x the miles of my rwd 2wd over the same time span.

It’s good to have 2 MB vehicles.

Who picked FWD, and more importantly, why?

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Why not? I didn't, but the (FWD) Fiat 500 that I rented was pretty damn awesome to drive!

I haven't been too impressed with most of the FWD cars I've driven. The Ford Focus and Acura Integra were okay, but I didn't care for any of the others I've tried. I keep hoping for a Fiat 500 every time I'm authorized a rental, but I've never gotten anything good. I get another chance later this month when I start my annual training. Wish me luck.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Call the agency in advance, ask nicely, and hint that the desk guy will get a few shekels under the table.

This being said, I also test drove one with a stick shift. The guy took my license, copied it, and said "be back by closing time today - 5 pm." (It was noon.)

RWD is the best, AWD when done well is ok.


I'll never own another FWD vehicle if I can help it. I just don't like the dynamics of FWD.

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1969 280SE
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2007 Tiara 3200

Very many years ago, after owning a few RWD cars (Mercedes 180, Hillman Minx, Opel Kadet), I acquired my first FWD car - a 1972 Audi Super-90 wagon. Compared to the older vehicles, that car was a revalation. Along with the FWD, it featured 4-wheel torsion-bar suspension, and inboard front disc-brakes for a superb ride, handling & traction, though it was trouble-prone.
Later I owned an '84 Honda Accord that was much like the Audi, except better equipped (AC, power-steering), more refined and much more reliable. Since then, I've also owned a number of RWD cars that were also excellent, including a couple Fintails, a couple W114/115 sedans, a bunch of 123 diesels, a Ford Cortina GT and a Sunbeam Alpine.
My current daily-driver is a '96 4-cyl Camry. Yeah, I can hear all the groans of "soul-less and boring"! But for me, driving excitement isn't my sole criteria.
In everyday, normal driving, some of the Mercedes I've owned are equal or better in certain respects. But the Camry is still a very nice car in it's own right - comfortable, reliable, reasonably easy to work on and find parts for, plus excellent fuel-economy, with better traction in snowy conditions than most RWD vehicles.
Besides, having the Toyota, I can avoid subjecting my Benzes to all that road-salt!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

For me, I prefer RWD for the way I drive. In the snow or poor traction conditions, I definitely go slower so it doesn't matter. I also use snow tires during snow season. Since my performance car is going to be RWD and I have driven that in the snow, I like to keep all my vehicles consistent so that I can approximate how they will work instead of changing things around

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