That sound about right Red (Doubt you are too much older than me. )

On target about educating the public! Even here on this site, I got into a long running tiff with a few people (HERE.... of all places) when some whussy whined that he "needed" FWD. Strange I was place in a position of defending RWD on a performance enthusiasts site.


Z28x is correct about RWD production. About half a million, and Chrysler is going to make half of them (Ford's Panther sales are likely to continue it's crash till Ford gets their rebody out... assuming it's not just a grill and tail light change).

 

Gee Guy, you wouldn't be referring to ME, now, would you??

I don't need FWD, but I prefer it for the basic principals R377 just stated...you can't defy the laws of physics. Come to a complete stop on an icy hill (something I routinely do near my home here for about 3-4 months per year), then hit the gas. FWD will do it. RWD will do it as well...kicking and screaming with studded snows a-blazing. I learned to drive on RWD, and drove an F body my first 4 winters driving.

Many of us on here who defend FWD don't NEED it. Its simply the fact that, for a daily driver, we WANT it. I don't think I need to rehash the rest. And I'd really appreciate any naysayers coming to visit me for a few days this winter...I'll put you up in my living room and feed you Within 5 days, you'll see why some of us like to have FWD..

 

I guess I'm one of the wussies too.

Appliance: I want FWD. I could be swayed into AWD, but the added cost is something I'd rather avoid.

Performance: RWD. Again, I could be swayed into AWD, but that would be problematic.

Further, understand that you can make a larger interior and better fuel economy at a given size out of FWD than you can out of RWD... which is why it sways the appliance category for me.

 

Shhh......no names!

Never said that FWD doesn't have it's place. Also realize that there are people who actually need FWD because that's all they've ever driven.

But if anyone feels they need FWD because of weather, then they should get AWD, because the difference between FWD and RWD in the snow is exagerated. Sure, if you don't feel like spending the extra 150 bucks on a pair of snow tires, then FWD is better. But unless one lives in the Alaskan tundra or Siberia, IMO I'd go with the snow tires for the 2-3 months per year roads MIGHT need extra traction.

But then again, my Camaro's traction control performed well on a trip to Reno with snow on the ground.

 

Its ok Guy...at least we can laugh about it

I'm not sure of the topography of Reno, but isn't it pretty damn flat? Not trying to derail the thread...just curious. I agree, AWD is phenomenal for those who "need" it. And you hit the nail on the head...if you don't buy snows, FWD is the way to go. And that's the problem...most people never bother with snows. I go one step further and put snows on FWD. As I've said in past posts...getting a running start, I've plowed through a slushy snowbank at the end of my driveway that was up to the headlights, and plowed through the 2 feet of snow behind the bank all the way up my driveway. Try that with RWD In the same snowstorm, my neighbor's Explorer in 4WD was stuck at the edge of her driveway...I had to shovel her out!

I freely admit, I could use RWD in winter...I have. But honestly, its really obnoxious in New England, even with studded snows on a 135hp third gen. Up here, from November through the beginning of April, its fair game for when/where we'll get snow and ice. When my fiance lived 3 hrs north of me in Northern VT, I stupidly drove through the most awful highways and storms I've ever seen...hence the snows. Believe me...if/when I move south, I'd say bye-bye to FWD, too!

But like Pacer said...on an appliance, who cares? AWD = slower, lower MPG and higher cost. I love my GP. It handles good enough, rides like a dream, and I love the look...but its my appliance. I wouldn't buy a FWD Camaro, but for a car like a GP? While I'm stuck in the Great White North, I'll take it.

 

Are you (a) too lazy to clear the snow from the end of your driveway or (b) just don't care about the damage you're going to do to your car? Sooner or later, if you're stupid enough to take "a running start" at a slushy bank of snow you're going to hit something solid.

Of course, the real winter pros know that you clear the bank of slushy snow from the entrance to your driveway before it freezes into a curb of solid ice.


I live in a region with record snow falls, and I can honestly say that I've often run out of ground clearance long before I've run out of traction. The car in question was my dear departed Craprice, which only had a pair of unstudded snow treads at the rear.

Typically, thing start to go bad during a blizzard when the snow starts to pile up. Pretty soon, you're pushing snow ahead of your front bumper, you can't maintain speed and it doesn't matter if the vehicle is RWD, FWD or 4WD. Of course, by this point the visibility is near zero, and the defroster can't keep the windshield wipers entirely unfrozen.

 

Where exactly do you live? Just curious where your "record snowfall" comes from.

As for the questions you pose above, as a self-proclaimed "winter pro" I am aware it makes sense to clear a slushy bank first. The plow came by while I was at work. On the way home, when it was sleeting so hard your winter blades and defroster can't keep up, the snowplow is less than 1/2 mile behind you clearing your street and its a long, long walk to the house, you'll make a quick assessment, make a quick decision and go for it. When you can't park in the street, and you won't be able to see much longer, you do what you can. I appreciate your concern regarding my inferior FWD GM product, but it does quite well and in 9 years of winter driving, I have not so much as scratched a panel with my snow antics. But as for the concern, thank you

You accurately depicted my situation I talked about above, as well as a situation regarding my fiance with her old Ford Probe. I posted about that in another thread. Ground clearance, my a**. Go read that other post, and you'll see why I say that. 38" of snow plowed in front of a 50-52" Ford Probe. The reason she stopped was because she could no longer see, as it was nightfall and the pop-up headlights were completely blanked out by the snow. This, with 4 studded snows.