RE: Why we love rear-wheel drive
Discussion
BarbaricAvatar said:
You could've saved yourself some time and just posted a single picture instead of writing all that under the title.
You'll have picked up that one wasn't shot at Brands Hatch in November mind! Portimao marshals somewhat less bothered than their British equivalents too... Dan
Amen to that.
'course, there are RWD dogs as well as beauts. As with most cars, it's the total package that matters. but a good RWD will always trump FWD or 4WD/AWD as far as I'm concerned.
Personal faves RWD: 993 C2, RX-8. love my 993, still weep about my departed RX-8. both lovely real-world RWD cars to drive.
Least fave RWDs: anything with a live rear axle. my dad used to have, inter alia, a '79 Mustang 5.0 (a GT in all but the badges - somehow it was completely de-badged - a q-car in effect). not the greatest of the ponycars, by any stretch, but even that engine was putting out 225bhp, which was still decent for '79. but oh that rear axle - you could get axle tramp just by looking at the throttle. it was extremely prone to deciding to go a different way to the driver's intentions on highway cloverleafs...scary.
'course, there are RWD dogs as well as beauts. As with most cars, it's the total package that matters. but a good RWD will always trump FWD or 4WD/AWD as far as I'm concerned.
Personal faves RWD: 993 C2, RX-8. love my 993, still weep about my departed RX-8. both lovely real-world RWD cars to drive.
Least fave RWDs: anything with a live rear axle. my dad used to have, inter alia, a '79 Mustang 5.0 (a GT in all but the badges - somehow it was completely de-badged - a q-car in effect). not the greatest of the ponycars, by any stretch, but even that engine was putting out 225bhp, which was still decent for '79. but oh that rear axle - you could get axle tramp just by looking at the throttle. it was extremely prone to deciding to go a different way to the driver's intentions on highway cloverleafs...scary.
I'm disappointed in PHers. We're on to page 2 and no one's posted a picture of a Ssanyong Rodius yet. 
There are bad RWD cars, and great FWD or AWD cars. There are more good RWD cars than bad ones these days and they have pleasures of their own. That said, a good FWD car is fun too.
For example, fillet steak may be lovely but that doesn't mean you hate a nice plate of bangers and mash. Don't let the best be the enemy of the good.
There are bad RWD cars, and great FWD or AWD cars. There are more good RWD cars than bad ones these days and they have pleasures of their own. That said, a good FWD car is fun too.
For example, fillet steak may be lovely but that doesn't mean you hate a nice plate of bangers and mash. Don't let the best be the enemy of the good.
)Impasse said:
Just for clarity, things like the Clio 182 and Civic Type R are hopeless machines, yet a Morris Marina is motoring nirvana simply due to the powertrain layout.
Car nerds are funny.
I'm pretty sure nobody is saying that! I loved my Accord and Civic Type Rs, loved my S2000 more... Whereas the short amount of time I spent in a friend's Marina was a hateful experience!Car nerds are funny.
RobM77 said:
frg530 said:
stew-S160 said:
I'm not one to hang the tail out at every opportunity in RWD cars, but FWD just lacks that rightness.
This
I completely agree - RWD just flows and feels right to me. Yes, it's not about sideways, because whilst that's a laugh now and then, for me it's a side interest and party trick that plays second fiddle to actually driving and enjoying a car. Besides, you can go sideways in any car, it doesn't need to be RWD (in fact I prefer FWD for sideways..).It's personal taste, but my first road car was FWD, my second 4WD and my first, longest owned and most successful race car was FWD. However, everything else I've owned since then has been RWD. Yes, I like a good FWD car, but I've yet to drive one that I prefer to a good rear drive car, and for me it doesn't matter if its a commuting tool or a racing car. I'd never say never, but from what I've driven to date I very much doubt I'll ever own another FWD car, be it for the road or track.
I've been in the market for a new car for some time, but also thought about modding my FN2 for better handling. In the end though, I knew it wouldn't really deliver what I was after, bit the bullet and sold it, and got myself a RWD car (Z4C) and I'm absolutely certain I made the right decision. No amount of money I could have thrown at the Civic would have given me what I was really after.
In all honesty, I think if you are capable of appreciating a RWD car (and I don't mean drifting everywhere because frankly I'd be rubbish at it) then its difficult to go back. I tried and I lasted less than a year.
Even my old E46 328 which I felt a little dull had a certain rightness to the handling balance that I've never had from a FWD car. The RWD cars feel good all of the time IMO whereas the FWD stuff tends to only come alive when its being taken by the scruff of the neck and hurled around like a hooligan.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 6th January 17:28
blearyeyedboy said:
I'm disappointed in PHers. We're on to page 2 and no one's posted a picture of a Ssanyong Rodius yet.
There are bad RWD cars, and great FWD or AWD cars. There are more good RWD cars than bad ones these days and they have pleasures of their own. That said, a good FWD car is fun too.
For example, fillet steak may be lovely but that doesn't mean you hate a nice plate of bangers and mash. Don't let the best be the enemy of the good.
To use that analogy though, if you could only afford one dinner tonight, and were offered fillet steak or bangers and mash, both at a similar price, which would you go for?There are bad RWD cars, and great FWD or AWD cars. There are more good RWD cars than bad ones these days and they have pleasures of their own. That said, a good FWD car is fun too.
For example, fillet steak may be lovely but that doesn't mean you hate a nice plate of bangers and mash. Don't let the best be the enemy of the good.
My issue is that like most people I'm limited to owning 1, 2 or maybe 3 cars and there are enough good/great/brilliant RWD cars around to not need to delve into FWD at all. Truth be told, I'd rather be driving a BMW daily than a Ford or VAG offering and I'd rather have an Elise or GT86 than an Clio Cup or Integra Type R. I'm not knocking those FWD options at all, but I just prefer the RWD alternatives.
I love a good hot hatch, but in much the same way, I could spend all day talking about good beer, but I have to admit that I will always choose red wine in preference if I'm offered it
SonicShadow said:
I wonder how many of the FWD haters have actually driven an accomplished FWD chassis, like a DC2.
I wouldn't say I'm a hater, but 
It was good, yes, and I'd have to say, I'd take it over something like a BMW 3er, but compared to something similarly focused, the RWD wins for me.
Impasse said:
Just for clarity, things like the Clio 182 and Civic Type R are hopeless machines, yet a Morris Marina is motoring nirvana simply due to the powertrain layout.
Car nerds are funny.
I actually had my Clio 182 Trophy there on the day too. It's no Caterham, but it's incredible fun for a FWD car and offers fantastic value for money for anyone looking to buy a cheap(ish) track toy. The driving characteristics are of course different, but both cars are just as testing. There wasn't a single point when I was disappointed to get out of the Caterham and into my Trophy for a session.Car nerds are funny.
TameRacingDriver said:
SonicShadow said:
I wonder how many of the FWD haters have actually driven an accomplished FWD chassis, like a DC2.
I wouldn't say I'm a hater, but It was good, yes, and I'd have to say, I'd take it over something like a BMW 3er, but compared to something similarly focused, the RWD wins for me.
posts i've read say "rwd. they're not all good but a good one beats a good fwd. there are some great, fun fwd out there too"
i didn't see hate.....
hate, that's a morris marina. and i had one.
Ben Lowden said:
I actually had my Clio 182 Trophy there on the day too. It's no Caterham, but it's incredible fun for a FWD car and offers fantastic value for money for anyone looking to buy a cheap(ish) track toy. The driving characteristics are of course different, but both cars are just as testing. There wasn't a single point when I was disappointed to get out of the Caterham and into my Trophy for a session.
Competent and very fast but i felt they lacked excitement and feedback compared to a Peugeot 205. Some of that problem though is the VVT engine characteristics. The other being its not as lively at the rear so less snap oversteer off throttle. I kept my 205.I have another 80's car though - the Toyota Sprinter AE86. I'm not sure its as capable speed wise as the 205 a-b but the steering feel is amazing, as well as the driver position seems lower. Roundabouts are more fun too.
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