How fun can front wheel drive handling get?
Discussion
Forgive me for dragging up an issue that has probably been done to death on here.
To give you context, I'm thinking about a new (used) car in the not too distant future. I've driven quite a few cars with different handling dynamics including proper RWD sports cars and reasonably sporty (but bog standard) FWD cars. I've never driven a proper 'hot hatch' or modified FWD car.
Due to my budget and practicality constraints I'm not sure I can go down the RWD route at the moment. I just want to know if I'm wasting my time trying to find or modify a FWD car in a search for a really good fun driving experience. I know they can handle 'well' and it'll never be quite the same as RWD but is it possible to find a FWD car that is going to be a joy to drive and not just quick?
I'm not necessarily looking for suggestions specifically of something I can go and buy, but I'd be interested to hear of examples of FWD cars people on here have owned that they've really enjoyed the handling of and *how* they handle if its possible to describe!
To give you context, I'm thinking about a new (used) car in the not too distant future. I've driven quite a few cars with different handling dynamics including proper RWD sports cars and reasonably sporty (but bog standard) FWD cars. I've never driven a proper 'hot hatch' or modified FWD car.
Due to my budget and practicality constraints I'm not sure I can go down the RWD route at the moment. I just want to know if I'm wasting my time trying to find or modify a FWD car in a search for a really good fun driving experience. I know they can handle 'well' and it'll never be quite the same as RWD but is it possible to find a FWD car that is going to be a joy to drive and not just quick?
I'm not necessarily looking for suggestions specifically of something I can go and buy, but I'd be interested to hear of examples of FWD cars people on here have owned that they've really enjoyed the handling of and *how* they handle if its possible to describe!
Depending on your budget buy a Megane R26, 250 cup or if you've got extra cash to play with a 275 Cup-S with the ohlins suspension option. If you want a fwd car that's as much fun as any rwd sports car but costs relatively small amounts to run they're ideal. I miss my R26, the cheap FN2 I bought 6 months ago isn't even close to it on handling or ride quality.
DanielSan said:
Depending on your budget buy a Megane R26, 250 cup or if you've got extra cash to play with a 275 Cup-S with the ohlins suspension option. If you want a fwd car that's as much fun as any rwd sports car but costs relatively small amounts to run they're ideal. I miss my R26, the cheap FN2 I bought 6 months ago isn't even close to it on handling or ride quality.
The ride quality on my FN2 on the 19" Rage alloys was absolutely embarrassing. 
Look no further than the latest Fiesta ST with the LSD option fitted. The previous version of the car had a brilliant front end and handling to match but the latest version is just so much witch craft. This car never ceases to put a smile on my face for its sheer agility (although the suspension is still a tad too firm).
Three cars stand out for me:
First up, my first car, an AX GT. Super light weight and wonderful adjustability on the way into corners.
Second, my first racing car, a fully race tuned Metro. Obviously this isn't a road car, but once I'd got the setup right I'd rate it as the best handling front drive car I've driven. Naturally, to do that on a bumpy road is a whole different ball game.
Third, probably the best handling FWD road car I've driven was a 106 GTi; very compact, short wheelbase, yet not twitchy. Sublime and for me as good as front drive gets.
I've driven lots of other FWD cars that people rate, my wife for example has had her immaculate 2007 Honda Civic Type R for years, but as with most of these other cars I'm thinking of, weight and size just get in the way. I think FWD is best in a small lightweight package, otherwise I just end up thinking how much better the car would be if it was rear drive. I've enjoyed the standard Ford Kas I've driven; they don't rate with the above three, but I never drove a Sport Ka...
The short answer to your question though is yes, of course FWD can be fun. On track you can arguably have more fun with FWD than RWD because oversteer is so easily catchable with FWD. However, I will always prefer rear drive; for me it just shifts things into another gear and offers more reward, more involvement, and ultimately more fun. In my current two car garage I have two rear drivers, and if I expanded things I'd have another one or two. Once I got above that though, I'd definitely make room for a 106 GTi.
First up, my first car, an AX GT. Super light weight and wonderful adjustability on the way into corners.
Second, my first racing car, a fully race tuned Metro. Obviously this isn't a road car, but once I'd got the setup right I'd rate it as the best handling front drive car I've driven. Naturally, to do that on a bumpy road is a whole different ball game.
Third, probably the best handling FWD road car I've driven was a 106 GTi; very compact, short wheelbase, yet not twitchy. Sublime and for me as good as front drive gets.
I've driven lots of other FWD cars that people rate, my wife for example has had her immaculate 2007 Honda Civic Type R for years, but as with most of these other cars I'm thinking of, weight and size just get in the way. I think FWD is best in a small lightweight package, otherwise I just end up thinking how much better the car would be if it was rear drive. I've enjoyed the standard Ford Kas I've driven; they don't rate with the above three, but I never drove a Sport Ka...
The short answer to your question though is yes, of course FWD can be fun. On track you can arguably have more fun with FWD than RWD because oversteer is so easily catchable with FWD. However, I will always prefer rear drive; for me it just shifts things into another gear and offers more reward, more involvement, and ultimately more fun. In my current two car garage I have two rear drivers, and if I expanded things I'd have another one or two. Once I got above that though, I'd definitely make room for a 106 GTi.
Someone already beat me to it and a recent thread made me reminisce of the Ford Puma. On short circuits (too slow on long ones) it gripped well and a lot of fun could be had with a bit of lift off oversteer. Having little 15" tyres made it inexpensive too. It regularly bugged the living daylights out of a mate with a PH fav, the MX5.
Grrbang said:
For public roads? There's an argument that you can have a lot of fun with FWD because power understeer is safer than power oversteer - especially in pre-2003 cars without decent/any traction control.
before asc many would take a corner too fast with high revs in a fwd and then lift off....Don't know what sort of fun you are looking for, plenty to be had from FWD, but it's just different, frantic rather than purist. I've had a couple of RWD cars but have always had my best fun from FWD, probably as it's what I grew up with.
There are some pretty competent FWD cars out there that can put the power down efficiently with little fuss, they can put in a good turn of speed but can be a little boring at times. If I was on the market for a fun FWD I would be looking at something with a decent chassis & enough poke to push the chassis a bit, the Mk 5 Astra VXR comes to mind - too much power, plenty of torque steer & a joy to thrash stupid!
There are some pretty competent FWD cars out there that can put the power down efficiently with little fuss, they can put in a good turn of speed but can be a little boring at times. If I was on the market for a fun FWD I would be looking at something with a decent chassis & enough poke to push the chassis a bit, the Mk 5 Astra VXR comes to mind - too much power, plenty of torque steer & a joy to thrash stupid!
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
DriverScarser2B4DqP said:
Should have said - I'm not really into very modern (post about 2003) cars! ...
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