What car converted you to RWD?

[white_goodman]

As above, RWD seems to be the PH holy grail. Most of my fantasy garage would be RWD and I understand why RWD should give the best handling but I personally haven't owned or driven one that really got under my skin.
My favourite car that I have owned was an Impreza (AWD) and although I have owned some RWD cars (mk2 MX5, E30 325i Cabriolet, Merc C250 TD Estate), I have owned more fun FWD cars (205 GTi, Corrado VR6).

The most fun RWD car that I have driven was a BMW 130i but I would never buy one of these, as I don't really like the looks. I do like quite a few RWD cars but not necessarily because they are RWD. I like some BMWs because of their straight-6 engines and I like the solid, stable feeling and smooth ride of a Mercedes. Maybe they wouldn't feel the same if they weren't RWD though? (An A-Class certainly doesn't feel like a proper Mercedes).

Maybe I just haven't driven the right cars yet. Had a brief drive in my dad's new MX5 and it certainly felt pointier than my mk2 and more lively actually despite having less power (1.8 version)! What RWD car(s) do I need to drive to convince me that RWD is best?

[strummerville]

Opel Manta then Mk2 RS2000. The latter with a Quaife LSD.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i was on the change from RWD to FWD of most cars so i learnt on a RWD car (sierra) and most of my first cars where RWD, then i got a quattro at 21 as a company and have stayed 4WD

[_Neal_]

white_goodman said:

What RWD car(s) do I need to drive to convince me that RWD is best?

TVR Chimaera did it for me, E36 M3 Evo confirmed it. I'm no driving God/opposite lock master (never intentionally sideways on the road) but the feel/balance of powerful/sporty RWD takes some real beating. That said, I've owned/driven some great fun FWD cars too. RWD isn't the be all and end all.

[Leins]

Driving a friends E30 320i when I was 21, couldn't get over how much better it drove than my Audi 80 at the time. That was the last FWD car I had until last year

[Orangecurry]

Hillman Hunter 1725 GL

Actually no it was the Granada mk1 2.0L

Gaz. said:

I'm not converted to anything, a chassis is either good or it isn't.

Ahh yes, that's it.

[andy-xr]

I wouldnt say I've been converted to RWD, dont see it as the epitome of motoring excellence either for the type of driving I do. But, my second car was an E30, I used to slide it out of junctions, then when I got a bit more confident I used to slide it round roundabouts, til one day it didnt slide and I wrote it off.

I had a Carlton after that, and it wasnt the same really. Other RWD cars included an E46 and an E60, currently have an S Type. I've had as much fun in an XR2 with a 130hp Zetec in it, a Lotus Elan M100 and a couple of other FWD coupe's and saloons. The E30 was a good laugh, though I think the M100 with the Everest chip in it was the most fun

[A900ss]

An underpowered Vauxhall chevette that had skinny tyres and was great fun for a 17 year old on the roundabouts of Stevenage when the roads were wet.

Edited by A900ss on Friday 31st January 17:38

[Matt UK]

Mk1 MX5 did it for me.

[Ved]

MR2 in 2002 for me but I haven't had another for a few years now, the last one being a Eunos S-Special.

[Herman Toothrot]

MR2 in 2000?

[8potdave]

E36 325i. Loved the feel of being pushed rather than pulled. I also got the knack of kicking the back out at every given opportunity!

[NadiR]

Gaz. said:

I'm not converted to anything, a chassis is either good or it isn't.

Exactly this.

[kambites]

My first car was RWD so I started from that end then tried FWD for a bit, didn't like it and switched back to RWD again.

In every measurable way, my first FWD car (a Corrado) drove better than my first RWD car (an MGB), but I still preferred the way the MG drove.

[jamieduff1981]

I knew RWD would be better for me from the outset with FWD. I just can't drive FWD. I know everyone says they're easier and safer etc, but all FWD characteristics are alien to me and just never felt natural.

My first RWD car was a Mk2.5 MX5 with a limited slip diff and hope to never own FWD again. I've had 2 AWD cars but they're just white goods to me. I don't need AWD where I live and would happily only own RWD. There just isn't much choice. I also like my cars to look good in some way or another. Beemers just don't please me aesthetically, although I've always liked the drive.

[Herman Toothrot]

jamieduff1981 said:

I knew RWD would be better for me from the outset with FWD. I just can't drive FWD. I know everyone says they're easier and safer etc, but all FWD characteristics are alien to me and just never felt natural.

I agree a lot with this, did lots of karting as a kid then learned to drive in FWD, crashed 2 FWD's loosing them in slippery conditions before I was 20. Got RWD and it was all natural, never looked back never scared myself with a even the slightest 'moment' in RWD.

[cerb4.5lee]

What did it for me there was a guy I knew who owned a garage & he was doing some work on my XR4x4 & he owned a RWD Saff cossie & he took me out in it & he was just sliding it around all over the place & I just thought I want some of that!!

Needless to say I soon bought a S14 200SX & I have enjoyed cars that are RWD & LSD equipped & I just joined in the fun! although I have nothing against FWD I just seem to prefer RWD.

[skyrover]

My very 1st car



A revelation after the horrible little fiesta I learned in.

Didn't even know it was RWD when I bought it... just wanted something cheap and comfortable to get me to and from college. Will never forget driving it on my first rainy day and feeling it get a bit skittish in the corners.

[Debaser]

When was a kid my parents' cars included a Volvo (RWD) and a Ford Escort (FWD). Neither were 'driver's cars' but I knew the differences between the way FWD and RWD cars drove from before I passed my test.

Ever since then I've preferred RWD, it feels much more natural to have the car balanced on the way out of a corner.

[Krikkit]

NadiR said:

Gaz. said:

I'm not converted to anything, a chassis is either good or it isn't.

Exactly this.

Driven a few (though not as many as a proper goatee-wearing PH'er) of each, and I must agree. I generally like RWD better, but the individual car certainly overcomes the preference imo.