Tom pretty much said it all. I would just add that in low-traction situations, FWD is just safer FOR MOST PEOPLE. Having the front wheels pull, as opposed to the rear wheels pushing ( often at a tangent to the intended direction of travel), makes for better directional control.

The argument initially raised regarding the soulessness of FWD is rather misdirected; Most modern cars either FWD or RWD are souless, and appliance-like. Such is what "the public" evidently wants.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags