Can you ever go back from RWD?

nucastle

nucastle

nucastle

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I'm sure there are some lovely FWD cars out there, and i'm sure plenty of FWD drivers will insist they have amazing motors etc etc

.... but is there anyone who has extensively owned RWD cars and then gone back to FWD and not regretted it (i mean FWD exclusively, and not an FWD for work, and a RWD weekend car).

For me, going around a roundabout, turning in a little bit more than i need to, giving it a bit more throttle than i need to, and getting a little kick out, is something i LIVE for - the thoughts of not knowing i have that power being fed through behind me pushing me in whatever direction the wheels are facing ..... is something i cant see myself doing.

Having said that, I know they had some souped up Focus RS on Top Gear recently and Clarkson was totally gushing about it (front diff etc etc), but even so .... I just don't get it? I just suppose i've made an association with big chunks of power pushing me from behind. It feels more 'sporty'.

Thoughts?
 
I certainly can't. Driving my FWD car just feels inherently wrong now.
I might be persuaded to go 4WD, but I can't see me wanting a FWD again.
 
I don't miss the irritating shake from the dashboard when you pull away a bit sharply and the front wheels spin.

I can't imagine buying myself an FWD car because the sort of cars which are FWD simply do not appeal.
 
I guess so, as I have done that once, the ST220 was fwd and was fine really, after 2.5 years of driving a rwd car I thought it might not be but it was.

But from my point of view, like Fox, there really aren't many ...if any fwd cars that appeal to me now, so I'd be highly unlikely to buy one because of that ...I wouldn't specifically not buy a car I otherwise liked because it was fwd though.
 
I did have an S2000 and MR2 but I saw the light and went back to proper wheel drive!
 
nucastle said:
Having said that, I know they had some souped up Focus RS on Top Gear recently and Clarkson was totally gushing about it (front diff etc etc), but even so .... I just don't get it? I just suppose i've made an association with big chunks of power pushing me from behind. It feels more 'sporty'.
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Actually I was wondering what the '200bhp is too much for FWD' crowd thought of this.
 
I'll miss 4wd because reality is for a powerful road car its superb for British roads and conditions and allows you to drive safer and quicker than either FWD or RWD cars in bad weather. RWD for purity however, can't beat it.
 
Missing the RWD fun certainly puts me off buying some cars I'd otherwise like to own. Clio trophy, Teg etc.
 
Having owned and driven several cars that use all three, as Housey says nothing is more capable on UK roads than 4WD and RWD feels the purist.

Also like Fox says FWD cars just aint really that appealing.

There is a reason the big powerful supercars/sports cars are either RWD or 4WD. ;)
 
Just to add a bit of humour. I've a group of friends who INSIST FWD cars are quicker than RWD round Knockhill.

:(
 
spaz said:
I did have an S2000 and MR2 but I saw the light and went back to proper wheel drive!
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No, you went to FAIL wheel drive! :p

mk1_salami said:
Just to add a bit of humour. I've a group of friends who INSIST FWD cars are quicker than RWD round Knockhill.

:(
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I don't know about knockhill specifically, but often FWD can make it round quicker as no risk of putting the bum out which slows down RWD in theory.
 
Don't feel any need to upgrade from my FWD, even going up to an S2k would feel like a downgrade in terms of rawness ;)
 
InvaderGIR said:
I don't know about knockhill specifically, but often FWD can make it round quicker as no risk of putting the bum out which slows down RWD in theory.
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I'd like to see the difference back to back of a car with LSD and without. I'm guessing a car with an LSD would be less stable (maybe understeer then followed by oversteer when the rear wheels lose grip?)
 
I've been back and forth between FWD and RWD, with a bit of 4WD thrown in too. As long as it's a good, well set up chassis FWD can be as much fun as RWD, it's just a different type of fun. Agree with Housy about 4WD though, 'fun' factor aside it's without doubt the quickest way to blat from A to B on a typical British B-Road.

Simon said:
Fwds are easier to drive fast.
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Very true.

InvaderGIR said:
I don't know about knockhill specifically, but often FWD can make it round quicker as no risk of putting the bum out which slows down RWD in theory.
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No risk? You can still get FWD cars sideways you know......
 
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