Is RWD over hyped?
Discussion
fridaypassion said:
havoc said:
fridaypassion said:
RWD is better than FWD this is a fact.
Clio 182 Cup vs Clio V6 255? The V6 is a fairly compromised yet interesting car, not a great example of RWD IMOHonda Integra Type R (DC2) vs S2000?
Escort Mk2 vs Mk3? You are having a laugh right? The rally boys didn't get on with the mk3, hence Gartrac conversions, Fords own still born (and RWD) RS1700T.
Volvo 340 vs 850 T5? old jallopy not very good in its day versus a car 20 years its junior, dead fair comparison!
BMW 1-series vs Mini Cooper / Cooper-S?
Shall I continue?!?
And this references the current thread about FWD vs RWD. The Clio V6 had the wrong engine in it for racing (stick the clio 182 engine in and it would be better) and the wheelbase is far too short for something with power oversteer on a track. Short FWD cars are good because the back is a bit lively, but can be collected easily with power. Short RWD cars are bad because the only way to stop the oversteer is with the brakes, which will lead to lift off oversteer, and so on.
RWD is best. There's nothing quite like pedalling an old RWD car with thin tyres.
RWD is best. There's nothing quite like pedalling an old RWD car with thin tyres.
FWD to RWD to 4WD is like comparing a can of lilt, a double vodka and a cup of coffee.
Theres a time and a place for each, and some people prefer one over the other.
I used to be a soft drinks man (adding a slice of lemon with with 205...) but I have to admit, i'm fast becoming an alcoholic.....
Theres a time and a place for each, and some people prefer one over the other.
I used to be a soft drinks man (adding a slice of lemon with with 205...) but I have to admit, i'm fast becoming an alcoholic.....
On track I would definitely prefer RWD, in the recent snow FWD. On normal dry roads it's less important than the car's design.
I (briefly) had an FSO Polonez. It was RWD and probably the worst handling car that I've ever driven. Not even comical unlike my brother's rubber bumper MGB GT which could be thrown into corners completely sideways predictably until the tyres let go...
Conversely a 1000cc Mini on skinny 145 tyres was one of the best - not the fastest cornering speeds but just the best feel and adjustablity. Watching MK2 Golf GTIs _three_ wheel drifting through the mountain at Cadwell suggested they'd be a hoot too.
I (briefly) had an FSO Polonez. It was RWD and probably the worst handling car that I've ever driven. Not even comical unlike my brother's rubber bumper MGB GT which could be thrown into corners completely sideways predictably until the tyres let go...
Conversely a 1000cc Mini on skinny 145 tyres was one of the best - not the fastest cornering speeds but just the best feel and adjustablity. Watching MK2 Golf GTIs _three_ wheel drifting through the mountain at Cadwell suggested they'd be a hoot too.
A car being RWD doesn't make it a good car, but it is one of the ingredients that can make a car more special.
It speaks volumes that the only racecars that are FWD are touring cars and some rally cars, simply because that's how they come from the manufacturer and they can't stray from it. Correct me If I'm wrong I can't think of any proper purpose built racecar that is FWD.
I've had two FWD cars and two RWD, I'm never going back to FWD for a fun/track car. If it's a run around or a spritely road car then FWD is good. But any kind of weekend trackday car and it's RWD all the way for me.
It speaks volumes that the only racecars that are FWD are touring cars and some rally cars, simply because that's how they come from the manufacturer and they can't stray from it. Correct me If I'm wrong I can't think of any proper purpose built racecar that is FWD.
I've had two FWD cars and two RWD, I'm never going back to FWD for a fun/track car. If it's a run around or a spritely road car then FWD is good. But any kind of weekend trackday car and it's RWD all the way for me.
Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 2nd January 00:32
Silver Smudger said:
According to Lotus - "for a given vehicle weight, power and tyre size, a front wheel drive car was always faster over a given section of road. There were definite advantages in traction and controllability"
But this was outsold...
By this...
Prejudice? Fashion? Bootspace?
No, the MX5 was much cheaper and seen the Elan production line they were clearly not intending to build hundreds of thousands. There's a lot more to enjoying a drive than getting from A to B in the shortest possible time. I'd much rather have an E Type than an Impreza, except (possibly) in this last winter. But this was outsold...
By this...
Prejudice? Fashion? Bootspace?
Yazza54 said:
A car being RWD doesn't make it a good car, but it is one of the ingredients that can make a car more special.
It speaks volumes that the only racecars that are FWD are touring cars and some rally cars, simply because that's how they come from the manufacturer and they can't stray from it. Correct me If I'm wrong I can't think of any proper purpose built racecar that is FWD.
I've had two FWD cars and two RWD, I'm never going back to FWD for a fun/track car. If it's a run around or a spritely road car then FWD is good. But any kind of weekend trackday car and it's RWD all the way for me.
This must be one of the first FWD racing cars....It speaks volumes that the only racecars that are FWD are touring cars and some rally cars, simply because that's how they come from the manufacturer and they can't stray from it. Correct me If I'm wrong I can't think of any proper purpose built racecar that is FWD.
I've had two FWD cars and two RWD, I'm never going back to FWD for a fun/track car. If it's a run around or a spritely road car then FWD is good. But any kind of weekend trackday car and it's RWD all the way for me.
Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 2nd January 00:32
I personally prefer RWD.
Up until 1998, I had a couple of nippy FWD cars, the last being a Civic VTI (158 bhp). It handled OK and the engine was a belter. One day I spotted a well specced E36 BMW 318is for sale. A mere 140 BHP, but the selling point for me was that there was no torque steer and a great balance that any FWD car I had driven could not equal. I'm not saying it was faster point to point than an similarly powerful FWD car, its just it felt better to drive. My next two cars had 238 and 276 BHP at the back wheels. I do not believe that a FWD car with the same output would feel as balanced or will not suffer a lot of torque steer (esp in the wet, and its wet a lot where I live).
I know someone that went from a Lotus Elan to a Lotus Elise. He reckoned the Elan was probably quicker point to point, but was less challenging and ultimately less fun.
Up until 1998, I had a couple of nippy FWD cars, the last being a Civic VTI (158 bhp). It handled OK and the engine was a belter. One day I spotted a well specced E36 BMW 318is for sale. A mere 140 BHP, but the selling point for me was that there was no torque steer and a great balance that any FWD car I had driven could not equal. I'm not saying it was faster point to point than an similarly powerful FWD car, its just it felt better to drive. My next two cars had 238 and 276 BHP at the back wheels. I do not believe that a FWD car with the same output would feel as balanced or will not suffer a lot of torque steer (esp in the wet, and its wet a lot where I live).
I know someone that went from a Lotus Elan to a Lotus Elise. He reckoned the Elan was probably quicker point to point, but was less challenging and ultimately less fun.
AnotherClarkey said:
Yazza54 said:
A car being RWD doesn't make it a good car, but it is one of the ingredients that can make a car more special.
It speaks volumes that the only racecars that are FWD are touring cars and some rally cars, simply because that's how they come from the manufacturer and they can't stray from it. Correct me If I'm wrong I can't think of any proper purpose built racecar that is FWD.
I've had two FWD cars and two RWD, I'm never going back to FWD for a fun/track car. If it's a run around or a spritely road car then FWD is good. But any kind of weekend trackday car and it's RWD all the way for me.
This must be one of the first FWD racing cars....It speaks volumes that the only racecars that are FWD are touring cars and some rally cars, simply because that's how they come from the manufacturer and they can't stray from it. Correct me If I'm wrong I can't think of any proper purpose built racecar that is FWD.
I've had two FWD cars and two RWD, I'm never going back to FWD for a fun/track car. If it's a run around or a spritely road car then FWD is good. But any kind of weekend trackday car and it's RWD all the way for me.
Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 2nd January 00:32
CDP said:
Silver Smudger said:
According to Lotus - "for a given vehicle weight, power and tyre size, a front wheel drive car was always faster over a given section of road. There were definite advantages in traction and controllability"
No, the MX5 was much cheaper and seen the Elan production line they were clearly not intending to build hundreds of thousands. There's a lot more to enjoying a drive than getting from A to B in the shortest possible time. I'd much rather have an E Type than an Impreza, except (possibly) in this last winter. They have never made another FWD car before or since (AFAIK)
RWD is the way nature intended. Most animals are rear wheel drive. Let's take the most sure-footed animal as an example. The humble house cat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbu9FDGMrXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbu9FDGMrXI
Swordman said:
RWD is the way nature intended. Most animals are rear wheel drive. Let's take the most sure-footed animal as an example. The humble house cat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbu9FDGMrXI
Some may say he's a pussy and will do anything for a saucer of milk, others say he can lick he own bits, all we know is he's the new Stig. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbu9FDGMrXI
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff