FWD vs RWD

[Pob]

Where do you stand on this? Ive always been tempted by a mk2 Escort or possibly a Capri, but they are fetching stupid money Do you drive a RWD car? Is it even worth having a RWD car these days? I've always liked small light hot hatch cars, but yet, i'm intrigued by RWD. By the way, its not as a daily driver more of a (project/rally car/track car etc) Opinions?

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[RETRO_AL_]

You cant beat rwd for shear fun, its so much nicer correcting (or making) a car oversteer than understeer,and the layout is far easier to work on
Fwd can be fun and can be made to handle realy well,but i choose rwd

[focusv8]

Originally Posted by Pob

Is it even worth having a RWD car these days?

BMW seem to think it is.

.

[Minirotty]

I think RWD will always win the fight tbh

I'm building a FWD atm with 300+ BHP N/A and I know that will be fun but always think as other do when will I be RWDing it then? lol

[steve st220]

RWD all the way!

[Mr C]

yes RWD is worth having, I have a BMW 318iS E36 as a run about and its good fun in weather like this snow, I would have an M3 with power to match the looks anyday. They are well balanced and handle well. I would have bought a RWD Ford as a daily driver but they havent made one worth having in decades (old sierra doesnt loook anything like the BMW) unless I stump up big for a Mustang£££

[Ad4m RST]

FWD is only ever good inspite of itself...

[martysmartie]

RWD for me all the time a true drivers car IMO.

As for a modern RWD now days your rather stuck, unless you have a BMW or the likes.

Martin

[pani_k]

If you don't plan on driving a bit vigorously then I don't see the point of getting RWD or 4x4 over FWD for example. If you are going to use a car properly and enjoy it then yes get a RWD car.

[ECOS95]

Had a Mk3 2.0S Capri as my first car at 17, you learn so much about car control with RWD. Well worth doing at some point.

[Oranoco]

I don't know, with all the snow about I'm quite happy to have FWD, the number of abandoned BMW's and other RWD cars I go past on my commute is just funny

Has to be said though RWD will win this arguement hands down.

[focusv8]

Originally Posted by Oranoco

the number of abandoned BMW's and other RWD cars I go past on my commute is just funny

That's the drivers fault not the RWD.
.

[Minirotty]

Originally Posted by focusv8

That's the drivers fault not the RWD.
.

Not always pmsl like my post above I said RWD wins but that general sweeping statment is bollox lol

FWD over RWD in the snow for practicality, know way you'd get a RWD up the hill where I work unless you put chains on the tyres but in my ST I just pulled strate past all of them today and I wouldnt of blamed the drivers as it was the RWD just wasnt capable of driving up the hill.

[Ad4m RST]

Originally Posted by focusv8

That's the drivers fault not the RWD.
.

Well actually it's logistic, FWD has far more weight over the driven wheels. Agreed a lot of ponces drive BMW's but you can actually blame RWD in snow to a point lol

[kosman]

rwd all the way,but ive got a rwd cos so i would say that,but i used to have a xr4i sierra for everyday and it was brilliant,amazing sliding it round and just a better car to drive.

[Dangerous Malcolm..]

My last two cars have been RWD BM's, and they're so much fun when you wanna arse about! They just feel so much more planted on the road too, although for a PROPER setup, mid engined RWD is the daddy!
I will admit though they're a FUCKING JOKE in the snow, but how often do we get snow.......

[Pob]

I'm really, very tempted on rwd. Although i will need to remove my ford blinkers, and gave up on owning a ford.

[blake999]

Lets have a think on that, for fun and pure enjoyment I have a 1970 Mk1 Mexico, every other day I have Laguna which is quicker, smoother, better handling, economic, comfy, but very very boring to drive. Its the rwd mex for me.

Alan

[phil_focus]

as a project track car defo get RWD as it'll be far better for it or 4wd if having big power or rallying.

i've never had rwd on the road but would love it. i did a rally day at silverstone rally school in 2 mk2 escort rally cars with lsds etc and it was fantastic. you just cant beat rwd for the control you can have while sliding it...fwd if guess work!!

i've currently got a 2l focus and have tracked it several times last year even in the pooring rain. it was great fun and you can chuck it about and get the arse out but ultimately understeers and for a fwd putting out more than 275 bhp it will be a real handfull (obviously the new rs aint bad). my mate has a focus ebony converted to rs running gear running 310bhp, slightly detuned, and even in the dry its a handfull!!

[RickyLee53]

Depends what you want, when you get to high powered car's especially. For example I can do rolling 100mph burnouts in my fwd, i doubt many people could in a rwd.

That said the S2000 is great fun to drive in the dry. Shocking in the wet. Think how many times you wheelspin in a medium powered fwd. I'm not talking about when driving quick. I'm talking about in the wet pulling out of a junction while talking to the mrs. In a rwd with a diff, this will make you go sideways every time. Sometimes you just don't want that. If you haven't got a diff it won't but then it'll be boring when you do want to have fun.

[Oranoco]

Originally Posted by focusv8

That's the drivers fault not the RWD.
.

Not strictly true mate. There's very little weight over the driven wheels and they're typically quite wide so don't purchase down through the snow to find what little traction there is. So yes you can say it's the RWD

[jammerrs]

rwd will win, but i think hot hatches are cool

unless its an anglia

FWD around a track FTW

RWD is ok for fun suppose

[Charlie Chalk]

Rwd is fun, I love FWD if set up nicely, 4x4 is in another league.

[jammerrs]

Originally Posted by S1 JOHN S1

FWD around a track FTW

RWD is ok for fun suppose

jano from oddkid creations had a few fwd cars that were quicker round some tracks than rwd cars

[wayne dowling]

steer to the rear all day long imo

[Drunken Master]

Originally Posted by S1 JOHN S1

FWD around a track FTW

RWD is ok for fun suppose

Kind of agree, depending on driver skill and the car. Something like a GT3RS is going to be an amazing car on track, but you need a good driver to get the most out of it and result you see alot of them smashed up.

Like for instance TVR drivers lots of people claim they're the ultimate drivers cars, but most of them end up in the barrier. Was at Oulton park and saw one crash on the straight, clearly because he lifted off over the dip before. But how many FWD cars do you see doing this? And thats why you also see alot of RWD drive cars pottering around because their actually scarred of the car.

I don't see the issue with FWD, I think it's good fun and alot more forgiving.

[Chip]

For a cheap trackday toy, FWD is a better option.

RWD will always be cooler though, so will always win this debate on a forum

[JLStretton]

Originally Posted by Pob

I'm really, very tempted on rwd. Although i will need to remove my ford blinkers, and gave up on owning a ford.

As much as I love Fords, once you get a modern BMW etc you will never look back IMO

[xr_craig]

Prefer RWD personally. Although FWD is a lot more predictable

[TT300]

I hate rwd and have just bought m3 lol. 4x4 is my choice just a shame you cant get an awd M.

The most fun i've had in a car was in my 350hp scoob round country lanes. You can just press on something stupid, defo not possible in a rwd or even a well setup fwd without ending upside down!

[Stu @ M Developments]

In an ideal situation, tyres should be steering or driving, never both.

[Drunken Master]

Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments

In an ideal situation, tyres should be steering or driving, never both.

They're probably under as much stress when carrying 2 tonnes through a corner though.

Originally Posted by jammerrs

jano from oddkid creations had a few fwd cars that were quicker round some tracks than rwd cars

Indeed he does

Hence the point on FWD,it get's slated alot but as a track day weapon it's a pretty good set up IF set up correctly as said

[R5FORD]

iv got my Focus ST for everyday use which is a really fun car to drive.. and then il have the cos for weekend use which will be fun

So either one depends on budget obviously.

[RWD_cossie_wil]

RWD.... Learn to drive properly, car does not do all the work for you! Any monkey can drive a FWD or 4x4 hard to the limit. And I own all 3 at the moment so ...

[C4llyT]

Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments

In an ideal situation, tyres should be steering or driving, never both.

I can't explain it, but rwd the steering feels right, jump in a fwd and it just feels wrong - the feeling is different.
In a fwd the rear wheels are only there to save scraping the arse of the car along the road.
Didn't fwd come about as it was cheaper?

Definitely fwd in this weather, my M5 has been parked up, 275 rear tyres and all that torque is silly.

[yellowsierra]

Rear wheel drive will always win except in the SNOW were it is useless

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by focusv8

BMW seem to think it is.

.

But are also developing a small FWD hatchback.

It's horses for courses really. RWD makes for a better, more balanced driving machine, but FWD has it's advantages and probably suits most average people better.