Which wheels drive you?

[GR-8]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ May 1 2008, 05:03 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=43972]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Actually, Subaru's are full-time AWD... not some shitty FWD w/RWD assist that most companies try to pass off as AWD... an Impreza/WRX have a DEFAULT 50:50 lock at all times... the STI's is 41/59... and many of their autos are 45/55.... so, it depends on the car.[/b]

Yes I know this. It wasn't pointed at Subarus just people in general that drive 4WD vehicles not AWD. Like the exploders and such.

[Stealth01]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Greek8 @ May 1 2008, 09:45 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=44003]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Yes I know this. It wasn't pointed at Subarus just people in general that drive 4WD vehicles not AWD. Like the exploders and such.[/b]

My Explorer SUCKED in the snow. Now my 86 S10 Blazer -- that thing went ANYWHERE. Stable, sure-footed. I used the same tires on both (Peerles Force 4 A/Ts), so it wasn't the tires. But the Blazer was incredible in snow. Just amazing. Packed snow or deep stuff, too. We went Christmas Tree hunting in Divide on year and got lost on the trails. That little truck drove through some pretty deep snow to get us out of there. Fun!!

[GR-8]

Would you lock it into 4WD or just let the Explorer do it's thing when it slipped. I know my aunt and others wont turn the switch cause "The tires grab by itself. I don't need to touch it" But in reality in deep stuff and slushy conditions you do. It makes a world of difference to ahve it locked to 4WD. It's like a whole nother world when you do. I've experinced this first hand on 5 different fords. Explorer, Expedition, and F250.



I'd like to also point out that people do drive stupid. I mean if it even rains a little they freak out. I do the speed limit in the rain in my 8. This morning actually I was going faster than most peopls with no problem and I'm riding slicks. People just panic and don't know how to handel their cars and drive slow. No matter if it's a few drops of rain or 1 foot of snow.

[rx8ghost]

I think when it comes to drivetrain set up it's all about what you like. I've driven FWD, AWD, and RWD and I prefer RWD. I like being able to slide the ass end out just that let bit and catch it. Much more fun than FWD and AWD. You see performance cars in all configurations cuz they all work

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SpeedRacer @ May 1 2008, 09:08 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=43997]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

What no quote to my tampon comment?[/b]

Well, I was going to use one, but then I forgot I gave my last one to you

[DemonOfTheFall]

I drove entirely too fast in my STI... its very easy when you never have a lack of traction no matter the conditions and my mentality was "If theres an accident and I am going fast no problem, I just point and go" Yea that works when you have room to maneuver but when you are on a highway with guardrails on either side and there is no where to go the only thing that is going to save you is traction. And AWD, FWD, RWD, whatever your braking traction doesn't change. The only thing that is going to bail you out of that situation is good tires and quick reflexes.

I certainly miss AWD (And to a much greater extent the power) but driving in the snow with AWD(in the STI) always feels like dry pavement. It could be a freakin ice rink out and I could mash the gas in the STI and it just went, it was at times very difficult to gauge just how slick the roads were, especially at highway speeds. With Fwd a little blip of the throttle will give me a very good indication of how much traction I have and I find I am much more aware of the road conditions.

Now an STI with proper snow tires and a cautious driver is the ultimate winter tool, however there aren't many AWD/4WD vehicles out there with proper tires because they have no problems accelerating so they never give a second thought to the decelerating part of the equation.

[arctic_blue83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DemonOfTheFall @ May 1 2008, 11:19 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=44015]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I drove entirely too fast in my STI... its very easy when you never have a lack of traction no matter the conditions and my mentality was "If theres an accident and I am going fast no problem, I just point and go" Yea that works when you have room to maneuver but when you are on a highway with guardrails on either side and there is no where to go the only thing that is going to save you is traction. And AWD, FWD, RWD, whatever your braking traction doesn't change. The only thing that is going to bail you out of that situation is good tires and quick reflexes.

I certainly miss AWD (And to a much greater extent the power) but driving in the snow with AWD(in the STI) always feels like dry pavement. It could be a freakin ice rink out and I could mash the gas in the STI and it just went, it was at times very difficult to gauge just how slick the roads were, especially at highway speeds. With Fwd a little blip of the throttle will give me a very good indication of how much traction I have and I find I am much more aware of the road conditions.

Now an STI with proper snow tires and a cautious driver is the ultimate winter tool, however there aren't many AWD/4WD vehicles out there with proper tires because they have no problems accelerating so they never give a second thought to the decelerating part of the equation.[/b]

Studded snow tires+STI FTW!!

You're right though, it's hard to gauge how slick the roads are as the STI always has traction, driving moderately faster than other cars in inclement weather is of no concern in an STI, the only major concern is other people. I try to avoid other people in snowy conditions at all costs, as I have a great amount of faith in my own driving abilities, as well as the car's limits, and I really don't come close to pushing the limits in the snow with the STI (except in empty parking lots haha), as it's not needed, you can pass the majority of other cars on the road while only pushing the car to about 3/10ths (if that), it's just the other idiots on the road that scare me... you know the ones, that don't use turn signals, that drive in the snow while talking on their cell phones, that change lanes quickly without checking their blindspots, that think it's ok to pull into a lane full of cars doing 50mph while they're only going 30mph, ect ect. Those people scare the shit out of me. I despise people that don't pay attention while they're driving... the wife actually can't stand it, as she says when I'm driving I ignore her haha, which is mostly true as I prefer to keep my attention on the road rather than talking about God knows what.

You're also 100% right about braking, which is why when the snow starts falling, the summer tires go in the garage

[RX-7 Chris]

Tom's the man

Out of all the cars I've driven in the snow, My 1957 Willys wagon was the best in all conditions. That thing will drive everywhere in everything. Yes the top speed is 50mph. I never drive it much in the winter because it has no heat, the wipers don't work, and it is missing a window. But that is what gloves and a hat are for.

[RX-7 Chris]

This is not mine but it is the same year, mine is army green.

[Huzer21]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ May 1 2008, 04:00 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=43959]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Tim, the RX-8 is a great car, handles wonderfully, and is a blast to drive... but I think before you, or anyone else on here bash AWD, you should actually drive a sporty AWD car, as I think you'll change your mind pretty quickly.[/b]

I never once bashed AWD, and I think I should've worded the poll a little differently. I meant it more as a "with the car you currently own, what drivetrain layout do you have?" I do, however, bash the mentality that AWD is "needed" in Colorado, or pretty much anywhere. I grew up where we easily got (and still get) significantly greater snow totals, and I'd say the bulk of the vehicles there are still RWD. Everyone gets around just fine (of course it helps that in northern NY they actually plow, unlike CO, where they just wait till it melts). I'm NOT saying AWD doesn't help, I'm just saying it isn't a necessity. On the 4 days I didn't drive my car this year due to weather, I'm sure I could've made it out. But I lived within walking distance to work (and still live within a 10 minute bike ride, or 2 minute light rail ride) so there was no reason to go out on the roads. What makes the RX8 impractical in snow is the depth of the snow, the RX8 sits pretty darn low and becomes a snow plow in any kind of decent accumulation. I never said the RX8 itself is a good winter tool, and if I absolutely needed to get somewhere, I'd take the Murano instead. Now, enough about the weather.

As far as sporty AWD cars go, yup they exist. I don't deny they're good at what they do. For me, it depends on the application and the type of vehicle. It's not surprising that Audi-owned Lamborghini uses AWD. For me, and in terms of a sports car, it's ideal to keep weight down, and AWD systems do add weight to a vehicle. Do I think the RX8 is the perfect car? By no means do I think that. I think it's a fun quirky little car, and coming from someone that loves Saabs, MGs, etc, I think it's right up my alley and I bought it as a long term project car. Eventually, it'll become my second car as I'll get something more practical for family life.

I'm not saying I'll never buy an AWD car, I'm just saying I don't need one.

[S4poor]

Damn! I missed the "party".

Can we at least agree on...


;-)

[Huzer21]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RMSpeed6 @ May 2 2008, 09:29 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=44038]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Damn! I missed the "party".

Can we at least agree on...


;-)[/b]

FWD doesn't suck! I learned my first ever e-brake slide on a Big Wheel. Haha!

[SpeedRacer]

Gee thanks....ass :P (RMSpeed)

[RX-7 Chris]

that's great. I love it.

[Robert_K]

Think you all know how I voted. LOL