fwd kinda sucks anyone think?

[2evolved]

well I love my Civic but I haven't gotten back in a FWD car for like 3 years... The feel of a FWD kinda sucks, I can't be all technical about it but I really miss RWD or even AWD sometimes.

Only problem with RWD is winter seasons, not handling issues but climbing hills is a real pita. If I lived somewhere they didn't have snow I would never have a FWD car.

Just thought I'd share

[skittleslegend]

I've driven FWD, RWD and AWD. I prefer FWD to RWD, but that's just me, perhaps because I've been driving Civics for awhile now.

[DSMKLR]

^^^^^ +1 i like fwd better than rwd too. handles a hell of a lot better, good or bad weather, doesn't matter. Won't get sideways on you either. But yeah I have an AWD also. It's my favorite.

[gbae007]

FWD feels anemic compared to RWD. But still, I feel that understeer is controllable is the 8th Civic platform and the handling is acceptable.

[Fixer]

A properly designed FWD car is generally much safer and easier to drive than a RWD car. The inherent understeer is much easier to handle as a daily driver. Our limited slip helps with traction considerably. Torque steer can be an issue too but the electric steering in my Si all by eliminates that. RWD is great for purpose built track cars. AWD; what can you say. By far the best but not available to everyone. Loved my '85 Audi Coupe Quattro. Tended to drive a bit more aggresively because of the increased confidence however. My bad. But with many AWD vehicles, it isn't full time AWD. Like my wife's CRV. It's FWD until extra traction is needed. Again, probably because FWD is safer and easier to drive in general. Now a Porsche Carrera 4 AWD is biased about 70% rear / 30% front but it's a racing car without numbers slapped onto the side. Hey, if Tommy Kendall praises the handling of the '06 Si on a Speed TV test drive then I'm more than convinced that I like the handling too.

[gbae007]

Originally Posted by Fixer

A properly designed FWD car is generally much safer and easier to drive than a RWD car.

Easier to drive yes, but at the expense of entertaining driving traits: RWD's ability for (1) lift throttle oversteer, (2) powerslides, and (3) harder launches.

[Special Ringpop]

I'll admit I've never driven my cars very hard, but from what I have driven I've not noticed a huge amount of difference to have a preference for one over the other.

[Izzy]

In terms of road feeling and driving, I'd say, yeah, FWD "sucks" compared to RWD. You can't "power" corners as you can with a Miata than you can with the Si...but, that's just the nature of it. LSD helps, but your tires can only handle so much grip and power going to them.

The Si's still handle superbly though, so I dont' feel as bad as I should. :)

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Fixer

A properly designed FWD car is generally much safer and easier to drive than a RWD car. The inherent understeer is much easier to handle as a daily driver. Our limited slip helps with traction considerably. Torque steer can be an issue too but the electric steering in my Si all by eliminates that. RWD is great for purpose built track cars. AWD; what can you say. By far the best but not available to everyone. Loved my '85 Audi Coupe Quattro. Tended to drive a bit more aggresively because of the increased confidence however. My bad. But with many AWD vehicles, it isn't full time AWD. Like my wife's CRV. It's FWD until extra traction is needed. Again, probably because FWD is safer and easier to drive in general. Now a Porsche Carrera 4 AWD is biased about 70% rear / 30% front but it's a racing car without numbers slapped onto the side. Hey, if Tommy Kendall praises the handling of the '06 Si on a Speed TV test drive then I'm more than convinced that I like the handling too.

Agreed. One of my favorite cars is the DC2 GSR. One of, if not THE, best handling FWD vehicle to drive straight from the factory. The 06 Si follows suit very closely. FWD has it's downsides as well, but generally speaking, it takes a bit more work to really get the hang of them, which is something I love. Like I said, though, it may just be me. I don't drive all that aggressive, but for the same reason, I hate automatic vehicles, I like a driver's car. To me, FWD cars take a bit more concentration and for me, they are that "driver's car".

I am in no way knocking RWD cars or those that prefer them. Driving any modified vehicle well takes some real skill and is nothing to joke around with. And RWD vehicles can do some amazing things. But after seeing 900-1000hp Skylines, Supras and Camaros, there's just something about watching a 500hp Civic rocket down the straights. Driving a WWD ain't easy, baby :)

[2evolved]

For some reason I don't think FWD can handle the HP RWD can... RWD just seems alot more smoother with high HP.

I also feel as RWD is easier to drive than FWD... you can correct your errors if you lose control in RWD.

Obviously for all weather type conditions FWD beats it but at road racing... uhh not sure, I wouldn't mind have a RWD Civic SI

[Izzy]

At regular speeds, RWD certainly feels more point-and-shoot, since the back end tends to push your nose into the turn. And yeah, RWD can handle more horsies better than the FWD variant, again, because our front tires GRIP and PUSH. RWD has the rears to puch, and the front to grip, in really simple terms.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by 2evolved

For some reason I don't think FWD can handle the HP RWD can... RWD just seems alot more smoother with high HP.

I think the beauty is that most cars don't need a whole lot of hp to compete. A Lotus Elise beats a Viper Hennessy around the track anyday.

[aznkukuboi]

Even though my car is FWD, I don't like it. It understeers way too much on even the simplest turns. It drives me crazy.

When I had my DC2, it had a lower center of gravity and front/rear sway bars... now that handled nicely.

[Izzy]

Are you talking abou the FG2 or something else?

The FG2 does have a tendency to oversteer if you're not on the gas. Putting it down a little, it turns more neutral. Yay for LSD!

[Mech]

after driving a firebird ever since I could first drive, switching to a FWD car was godly for the winter. So no, I don't think it sucks.

[leenangle]

In all honesty, I don't think there is much of a difference (dry weather of course) under normal driving conditions.......If you are experiencing understeer in your FWD car ALL the time, you must be pushing it ALL the time.

When it rained, though, I'd take FWD anyday, because in a RWD it doesn't take much to break the rear loose.

[Mech]

Originally Posted by leenangle

When it rained, though, I'd take FWD anyday, because in a RWD it doesn't take much to break the rear loose.

Lol I remember those days. I ended up on the other side of the median late one night because I kind of accelerated too fast out of a turn.

[leenangle]

Originally Posted by Mech

Lol I remember those days. I ended up on the other side of the median late one night because I kind of accelerated too fast out of a turn.

LOL once upon a time when I was 16, I managed to do that in a Ford Econoline cargo van.....no wonder 16 year olds have such high insurance rates

[Mech]

haha yeah definately. It's safe to say it never happend again.

[Izzy]

Of course you're not going to feel much of a difference with RWD and FWD in normal driving conditions.

I will say you will feel it in more spirited conditions though. Onramps and offramps for example. I remember driving the new MX-5 and it just ATE the corner (lighter and RWD to boot), with the FG2, I can still do that, but it struggles a bit more to stay inside (heavier and the wheels pushing forward while trying to turn the car).

But, if you're talking about going to work or the grocery store...then yes, I don't see why you'd feel too much of a difference.