Front- vs. Rear-Wheel Drive Cars

J

jr37

Well-known member
We are starting to shop for a used car. We like the Charger and 300s. Have never owned a rear-wheel drive car that I used year round. I had one years ago, but it got parked in the winter. I am looking for advice on the pros and cons of the rear drive cars. My wife will be the primary driver. We are just starting to look, so we are in no hurry to buy anything right now. I think there is a little life left in my old Pontiac.

Thanks for any help.
-Jon
 
E

ezra

Well-known member
if the war dept will be the driver I would get the fr wheel drive. if not plan on the 900 buck bill for some quality snow tires and the 60 bucks a season to swap them out.
then the next winter be prepared for buying her a winter beater and buy beater when a woman is involved is usually a 6yr or newer leather clad suv.
that was my road but did not mind having the winter/nursery/Mobile storage unit/dog transport/saved a ton of MI and salt damage on the nicer summer car. buy the way the car is now 6 yrs old with less than 50k and some one thinks they need a new one This is 1 battle I am prepared to fight.or at least not have to explane a new toy on my side of the garage
 
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W

wags

New member
There is a simple solution to this, AWD! Why not look into a car or small SUV with All Wheel Drive or part time four wheel drive? I just picked up a slightly used 2002 Chevy Tracker for my teenage daughter with under 50k miles on it for under 7k. This thing looks, drives etc... like the day it came off the production line. There are plenty of them out there if you look and are flexable in the style.

Being older I grew up in the day of rear wheel drive and frankly prefer it over front wheel drive but thats just me. I have all rear wheel drive trucks/suv's so I am used to driving daily with rear wheel drive and rarely use the four wheel drive but I like the knowledge that I have it if I ever need it.
 
C

cuzzinolaf

Well-known member
I swap rims on my wife's front wheel drive car every November and leave them on until March. Swapping the tires is easy and I found a heck of a deal on craigslist for snow tires with rims a few years ago. She loves the tires and they really do get good traction in the snow.
 
S

snake

Member
just traded my g.f.'s 09 charger. for one =the fuel mileage is not bad for a big car,but we are very glad to not have fill it with these fuel prices!rear wheel not good in snow. front tie rod ends worn out at 60000 miles. rear driveshaft rubber boots torn from factory,and trans is not the smoothest. very nice riding car and lots of room. bought a new kia optima with 2.0 turbo,10 year,100000 mile warr. we are glad to be rid of it for a number of reasons,but mostly for fuel economy!sorry if i got off topic at all,just wanted you to know how we felt,good luck!!
 
A

anonomoose

New member
Rear drive is like going back to a distributor and carburetor.
Why would you want to ever do that?

Front drive is where the weight is, far less likely to do pin-wheels on the freeway, and basically in none slippery conditions...very little driving difference.

If you are a cop and have to do the big power 180's okay...but otherwise, the front drive units are far safer and tried and tested.

I would do it if I wanted an antiquer....but otherwise, stay with front drive and fuel injection. It is really the only way to go. More efficient, better safety, and there is a reason there are very few rear drive units that have to travel over icy roads.....
 
M

Magnumb

Active member
I had a 2005 RWD Magnum HEMI for a few years and stock tires were terrible in the snow. I picked up a set of Nokian WRs and actually enjoyed driving that car in the snow. Set me back $1200 for tires but I used them summner and winter and they lasted almost 50k, which is great for snow tires.
Overall the car was good, averaged 17mpg and and beat on it all the time. Handled good for a large car too.
 
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