Why pick on Detroit and not Stuttgart? - Saab General Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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Why pick on Detroit and not Stuttgart?
Posted by Ray L (more from Ray L) on Tue, 2 Dec 2003 10:39:33
In Reply to: NY Times - why fwd is better than rwd - really?, 4saabs, Mon, 1 Dec 2003 08:53:01
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My answer to the question is "it depends." Dry road with lots of curves, I would choose a performance rear drive sedan because of the efficient way it puts the power down while accelerating. And its easier to set in a corner = fun! This is the same reason most race cars in most series use rear drive. Add rain or snow and it's another matter. Front drive tends to be more stable in adverse conditions, particularly for most drivers. The main advantage is it allows for a compact package, allowing the car to be smaller, and as a result lighter, and more fuel efficient. The driveshaft discussion is wrong, since front drivers run 2 smaller halfshafts instead of one large driveshaft. I find front drive cars to be more difficult to work on due to the compact and complex packaging (brakes, CV joints, suspension all in the same place), while most rear drive cars seem to be simpler. These are generalizations, because I can think of exceptions. Maybe next time I'll get the best of both worlds and buy an all wheel drive car.
As for picking on Detroit, I find that to be unfair. Mercedes Benz and BMW produce very few front wheel drive cars, and most of those only recently (A-Class, Smart, Mini). Yet the US press blames Detroit for all the woes they perceive in the auto industry. Consumer Reports called the handling at the limit of the G35 dangerous because of the way it oversteers. This is one of the reasons I like driving the G35! However, I can't load it the way I can my 2000 9-3 and drive it around on a snowy day! Maybe the editors and reporters need to spend more time doing doughnuts in the parking lot! Or join me and others in autocross!
posted by 66.91.4...
Posts in this Thread:
- NY Times - why fwd is better than rwd - really?, 4saabs, Mon, 1 Dec 2003 08:53:01
- Why pick on Detroit and not Stuttgart?, Ray L, Tue, 2 Dec 2003 10:39:33 <-- Viewing This Message
- Why are all racecars RWD?, Tyler, Tue, 2 Dec 2003 09:59:49
- Ever seen a horse?, KeithR, Mon, 1 Dec 2003 18:17:30
- Maybe Jayson Blair lied to her., andy , Mon, 1 Dec 2003 13:38:15
- Well, I'd cut the gal a little slack......, ChrisB, Mon, 1 Dec 2003 09:12:02
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