Why FWD shouldn't be hated

"Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD" (300korbust) 01/11/2016 at 12:55 • Filed to: None

13

83

Apparently, “car enthusiasts don’t like FWD cars.” Bullshit to that statement! Here are a few reasons why FWD shouldn’t be hated, and proof that car enthusiasts can truly appreciate a FWD car.

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Some of the fastest machines in time attack and autocross racing happen to be FWD cars. Take a look:

Even in rally, they can be some dominant machines!

Even put to a comparison, FWD can out-handle some RWD and AWD vehicles.

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

You can get some really nice FWD cars that happen to be really cheap. I went over to my local Craigslist and found these:

Volvo 850 Wagon

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Integra and Legend with additional ATVS!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

How about some fun on a budget with this Integra GSR?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Even more fun!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

And something completely interesting

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Chariotoflove > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 12:59

6

Good post, thanks! A couple more I can think of:

6. Torque steer isn’t the boogie man people think it is anymore.

7. Better poor-weather handling in real world driving.

Autohaus Derp > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 12:59

0

1: Hon Hon Hon!

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Chariotoflove 01/11/2016 at 13:00

1

Splendid! I wanted to let the readers give more reasons to liking FWD, and you did just that! Also:

8: cheap to produce

TheHondaBro > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:00

2

FWD has recently broken the 8-minute barrier on the Nurburgring. They quick.

Autohaus Derp > Chariotoflove 01/11/2016 at 13:01

2

Torque steer can be fun, I’d go as far to say! Certainly, it adds personality. I’ve driven a friends’ Mk2 golf 1.8T which could change lanes on the motorway just by putting your foot down.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:01

6

FWD should be considered case by case.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:02

7

Probably stolen by now....and six more times while this comment posted.

Party-vi > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:02

5

I don’t think a $25k Ford is lustworthy.

TheHondaBro > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:03

4

Less horsepower lost through the drivetrain.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > TheHondaBro 01/11/2016 at 13:04

0

Huge advancements have been done to FWD! VW, Honda, and Renault are some of the manufacturers to thank for that.

d15b > Chariotoflove 01/11/2016 at 13:04

4

7. Better poor-weather handling in real world driving.

For the rest of the world, this is a very good reason why to have a FWD.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 01/11/2016 at 13:05

1

Hondas are pretty easy to steal... oh, add about three more times stolen again from this comment. Pretty sure they took a CRX with it.

Dusty Ventures > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:05

9

Anyone who doesn’t think FWD can be good needs to go for a ride in a FWD rally car

The Ghost of Oppo > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:06

0

No GTIs? Remember your roots

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:06

3

I'm with you on this one. There's a RWD $25K Ford that's more lustworthy than that.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:07

3

How about a Citroen?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:08

5

Hi, I drive one of those so-called “lustworthy” FWD cars, I do wish I had RWD instead, and I can back this up with my minimal AutoX experience. Under steer is a bitch.

Berang > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:08

4

In the 60s Citroens, Minis, and SAABs were wiping the floor with RWD competition.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:08

2

I’m looking forward to being beat handily in my BMW by several fiestas during the next rally

Chariotoflove > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:09

0

Which means more of us can afford more car.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:09

3

k.

Ill take RWD or AWD any day of the week. Or 4x4 cause thats what my powerstroke is. (Based on owning all kinds of vehicles with different drivelines)

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:09

1

Oppo has a whole circlejerk towards that car.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:09

2

My Honda Fit sport with three pedals and handbrake is sublime low powered fun. Not finding that with the Vibe.

Gamecat235 > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:09

4

I disagree, but then again, that is very likely my next car purchase.

I've been longing for one for a couple of years now.

Chariotoflove > Autohaus Derp 01/11/2016 at 13:10

2

Hah! Should have wired the turn signal to the accelerator!

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:11

3

Any sort of car elitism is pretty stupid. Not everybody needs RWD, but I do believe the best sports cars should be RWD or AWD as most cars are going these days.

FWD can be some proper fun, though. In every car, it’s about the total package, not about individual details taken out of context. It’s like saying RWD is dangerous in the snow when that’s not actually the case. Whether FWD or RWD if you aren’t familiar with the handling characteristics it can be dangerous either way, but surprise understeer can be very frightening for slightly different reasons than oversteer.

That said, despite improved engineering, there are limits inherent to FWD that exist, but for the class of cars, it's not really an issue since I doubt we're going to see a Focus GT with the 5.0 V8 that's FWD.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > The Ghost of Oppo 01/11/2016 at 13:11

2

I knew I forgot one! Here, have a few!

Ash78, voting early and often > Chariotoflove 01/11/2016 at 13:12

1

FF drivetrain = more interior space = smaller car that’s still practical.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/11/2016 at 13:12

1

Fits are pretty peppy little cars! I haven’t heard anything bad about them at all.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Autohaus Derp 01/11/2016 at 13:12

1

That’s awesome!

Party-vi > Gamecat235 01/11/2016 at 13:14

1

You’ve been longing for a Focus? I mean, considering what you drive right now I guess that makes sense

#burn

#sickburn

#dont’banme

Party-vi > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:15

1

Hng.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Berang 01/11/2016 at 13:15

0

Lancia even proved that with their Fulvia. Honda even did it in the 80's and 90's.

Party-vi > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/11/2016 at 13:15

0

Wassat?

Gamecat235 > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:16

0

I mean, I also would really like a Beetle R-line, but the FoST is a bit more family friendly.

I like FWD cars and I cannot lie. (I'd love to own an M100 Élan one day).

Chariotoflove > Ash78, voting early and often 01/11/2016 at 13:17

0

Very good one.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:18

2

Not to mention Chevy, who held the FWD Ring record with the Cobalt SS. 8:22

Party-vi > Gamecat235 01/11/2016 at 13:18

0

I took a Beetle 2.0T from GA to MD and thought it was a hoot, but it was really noisy inside at highway speeds.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/11/2016 at 13:19

0

Nice! That is awesome! Go MURICA!

pauljones > Gamecat235 01/11/2016 at 13:21

4

There has been an awakening. Can you feel it?

The FoRS is calling to you.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:21

2

I’m waiting for these to go down in price.

Gamecat235 > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:23

0

I’ve never owned a car that was truly quiet at highway speeds (B13 Sentra, TJ Wrangler, Accent 3dr, 2nd gen RAV4, S10 blazer, Beetle, and the closest to quiet at highway speeds, but the worst vehicle I've ever owned, a Mazda 626). So this is only something I experience in rentals or other people's cars. No need to change that now. =)

El Rivinado > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:25

3

There are some lust-worthy FWD cars, its just that they happen to be Murican made.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/11/2016 at 13:28

1

Coopers are so fun to drive! I drove a supercharged S and it had some spunk to it!

Dusty Ventures > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 13:29

0

#banned

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > El Rivinado 01/11/2016 at 13:29

0

That Toronado, though!

Gamecat235 > pauljones 01/11/2016 at 13:33

1

I'm cheap(-ish). And yes, the want is incredibly strong with the RS (to the point were I would take it, any day, over a GT). But that price tag.

Dusty Ventures > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 01/11/2016 at 13:34

5

As someone who’s had to try to get a pegleg delivery van with an open differential up an icy hill, so should RWD

#1WheelDrive

Party-vi > Gamecat235 01/11/2016 at 13:44

2

My decrepit BMW has spoiled me, and now I’m a snob.

DoYouEvenShift > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/11/2016 at 13:45

1

FWD AND a solid rear axle!! So all solid rear axle haters can go bite a monkey!!

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 13:56

3

Two examples of “they can be competitive”:

In 1990 when BTCC introduced their 2 liter class rules (later adopted globally as Supertourers) they gave RWD cars a weight penalty to give FWD cars a chance. By 2 seasons in that penalty had been eliminated: it wasn’t needed. The vast majority of Supertourer class championship winners globally have been FWD.

When Lotus developed the M100 Elan in the late 80s they did extensive testing and decided to make it FWD because, they said “for a given vehicle weight, power and tyre size, a front wheel drive car was always faster over a given section of road”. The Elan tanked basically because the punters didn’t just care about fast, they wanted loose. But if LOTUS say fwd is faster: it is.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 14:04

0

The decrepit title belongs to my 740, I am also a snob now thanks to this car.

BringBackTheCommodore > Dusty Ventures 01/11/2016 at 14:04

1

I had a Plymouth Acclaim stuck in snow trying to get it up an icy, snow-covered hill. This past winter, I had to help someone in a manual-trans Focus get unstuck. If the driving wheels don’t turn simultaneously...

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 14:12

4

#0) More options for enthusiasts.

Seriously, I don’t get why people write off an entire drivetrain of choices because they think RWD is the only way to have fun. Lots of legendarily awesome cars are FWD. GTI, OG Mini, New Minis, 205/206 GTI, Saabs, Cobalt SS/TC, SRT-4, SVT/ST/RS Fords, 500 Abarth, Integra, RSX, TSX (seriously under rated), Civic SI, CRX, Mazdaspeed Protege/3, Sentra SE-R, Celicas, Eclipse Turbo, Shelby Daytona, Omni GLH, and there’s more if I kept typing.

Maybe some of those cars aren’t your particular taste (I will never really understand the celica enough to own one) but if you want to say you wouldn’t want to own at least ONE of those cars because the front wheels are the ones driven then there is no hope for you.

Party-vi > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/11/2016 at 14:13

0

My E46 just came out of one shop to only go into another shop. I think I have the decrepit title monopolized.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 14:20

2

FWD isn’t desired because at the core, it’s a compromise. Any racing vehicle that is created truly free of production car restraints is either RWD or AWD. Look at F1 cars, go karts, dragsters, etc.

FWD is used commonly because it has packaging advantages, (boring) and is prone to docile understeer so the masses don’t go full Corvair into a guardrail.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 14:22

1

I don’t understand why people just ignore the Acura legend. It was so good .

Desu-San-Desu > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 14:23

1

Me and mine say ‘Amen!’

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 01/11/2016 at 14:24

3

Time attack would tend to disagree with you.

SkyNet > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 14:37

0

The big issue for me is styling. Somehow the Integra nailed it and made an FWD car look RWD (long, low hood, not frumpy).

Fiesta’s and Focii are great cars but they just look so frumpy and econobox to me. The hood is just too short and too high.

To me, this is also why I can’t take Lincoln’s current lineup seriously. Even the Continental suffers from it. Apparently it is just really difficult to style around a longitudinal engine/transaxle parked right atop the wheels or something. Same with the MB CLA.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 14:51

0

Since you have a shop do the work you win.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 14:53

1

We run both RWD (1991 318is) and FWD (1990 Civic hatch with a B16A2) race cars. When setup correctly, both are fun, predictable, and fast. Yeah, I can’t do sweet donuts in the Civic, but those are frowned upon at the track.

wiffleballtony > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 15:12

0

I think that these days FWD is the go to layout for appliances, hence the hate.

Party-vi > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/11/2016 at 15:27

0

Pffttt as is I have money for it. Apparently I can’t bleed my cooling system for shit.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > DoYouEvenShift 01/11/2016 at 15:28

1

And possibly a pig.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > wiffleballtony 01/11/2016 at 15:31

0

Cheap to produce... I can see why.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 01/11/2016 at 15:31

1

I want one so bad!

Howdy Harrell > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 15:32

0

It is 100% Case by case.

My 97 Volvo 850 Ruled

My mom had 2 Mini Cooper S’s 03, and 10. I couldn’t stand how bad the torque steer was and IMO the gearbox sucked.

I also had an 07 XC90 and while yes, it was a truck... It was still goofy.

- RWD Ultimate Race.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 15:35

0

I'm really sad because I can't find a clean one to be my winter car . I like my accord, but I just really want a legend .

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 01/11/2016 at 15:37

0

Same here. I’d like one in a manual, but most of the GS’s, which I want, are automatic. Still, a comfortable cruiser would be cool.

ateamfan42 > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 15:38

2

Nothing says “triumph of enthusiasm over physics” like a FWD race car.

http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secr…

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 01/11/2016 at 15:42

1

lets not forget the 1st gen 3.5RLs! too awesome!

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 15:46

0

Leave it to BMW to have a plastic bleeder screw that strips

Party-vi > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/11/2016 at 15:49

0

Oddly enough my bleeder screw is fine, I just have no heat. Meanwhile, everything seems to be working correctly.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > pauljones 01/11/2016 at 15:56

0

Why can’t we have COTD on Oppo?

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 15:57

1

On 80s turbo Chryslers the gearshift was also the lane changer.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 16:02

1

Got nothing bad to say. Ours seems to attract the bumpers of other vehicles. It has 3 sads right now, so what did i sand and paint? rims of course.

Nauraushaun > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 17:27

0

1. There are FWD cars are lust worthy
2. They can be competitive machines

This doesn’t count. There are exceptions to every rule. But the FWD are never as lustworthy. All the love for the M3, the Supras and RX7s and Mustangs of the world, up to every Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, TVR, Viper etc etc etc. There’s nothing of that level for a FWD car. Even if some are lustworthy and some are competitive.

There are people who will point at something like this (below) and say look, a Civic can be a race car! Given infinite money, anything can out-drag a Veyron. Doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do it, or even a good way.

3. Some dirt cheap cars happen to be FWD

Of course. For the simple reason that they aren’t as good. No one is paying as much for a Prelude or Celica as they are for a Miata or S2000. Even if they were as fast each other, the FWD would be cheaper, because it’s not as good.

4. You can still drift

Absurd. You can slide. It’s not true drifting, it’s a weak substitute.

5. Learning to control FWD is a whole new challenge

Certainly. In the same way that driving a car that has no grip whatsoever is a challenge. Or driving a 3 wheel car is a challenge. Or driving a Model T is a challenge. Being a challenge doesn’t make it good. It makes it interesting, but that’s not the same as better than RWD.

FWD has a solid place in the world. FWD cars need not be terrible. But it’s a simple fact that it’s less suited to performance driving than AWD or RWD. There are reasons, based in physics, why this is so. Denying it is silly.

KirkyV > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 01/11/2016 at 20:49

0

The last 2WD car to win the WRC was the very FWD Citroen Xsara, in 1999!

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Nauraushaun 01/12/2016 at 10:41

0

Integra Type-R says hi, and wonders why you are ignoring him?

Nauraushaun > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/12/2016 at 18:21

0

They’re about as good as FWD gets. But they’re the tallest dwarf.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Nauraushaun 01/13/2016 at 09:32

0

It was better than many RWD sports/sporty cars of it’s era, pretty respectable.

Nauraushaun > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/14/2016 at 03:18

1

That is a good point. It may be FWD, but it’d smash something like a Silvia I’m quite sure. In outright performance from factory that is.