Re: FWD/RWD/AWD, New Alfas, Audi A4, WRX

["Gregory S. Youngblood" <greg@domain.elided>]

I'm under 35 (31) and feel the same way. Sure FWD cars can be fun, and FWD
makes it easier to use the e-brake to slide the rear around while keeping
on the accelerator, they still don't handle as well overall as RWD. With
FWD being about the only thing available, I've turned to trucks for most
driving - in part since most are still RWD.

The importance of RWD isn't lost on the likes of Lexus. Their high end
cars are RWD, even the newer SC430. In the US, if you want a RWD car,
you can look at Ford (Crown Vic/Gran Marquis/Town Car) or at the import
luxury cars (exception being the Corvette, and maybe the Mustang - is it
FWD yet?). The Mazda Miata is RWD. And so is the Honda S2000. If FWD was
really all that spectacular, wouldn't you think Lexus, Mazda, and Honda
would have used FWD in their platforms too?

The big question that remains is where does GM plan to position the Alfa
Romeo when it is reintroduced. If the Spider (which I believe is going to
be the first model brought in) is going after the likes of Mitsubishi's
Eclipse and such, then FWD makes sense.

I think if you look at the models of cars like the Spider (either 2
seater or 2+2, 2 door, convertable, sports car), you will see
that with few exceptions, the ones that stand out, either in value,
performance, handling, or even luxury are all RWD. If GM tries to target
that group with a FWD model, then I wouldn't hold out much hope for the
long term return of Alfa Romeo to the US market. Sadly.

Personally, I'd love to see some sales stats - what percentage of sales go
to FWD versus RWD cars at prices over $25k, or even $35k. I have a
sneaking suspicion that cars at that level are mostly RWD. It seems the US
auto makers have forgotten or are forgetting this, while the asian imports
learned it. [just my $0.02 worth]

Greg

On Sun, 6 Jan 2002, Alan Lambert wrote:

> Muse away, but you're wrong--while I AM over 35, I've been driving FWD
> cars since the 1966 Citroen Pallas, then Saab, then a 164L----When I
> got into a '74 Spider, then a GTV-6, I found cars that HANDLED--that I
> could control, and that were a hell of a lot of fun. Idon't have that
> feeling with any of the FWD cars that I've driven.
>
> alan
>
> --- The Csank Family <csank@domain.elided> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Just a few musings:
> >
> >     I think I know why most Alfisti in the USA prefer RWD - they are
> > mostly
> > older (over 35), and grew up driving RWD on (usually) well-maintained
> > roads,
> > and they got used to driving a RWD car.  However, I am almost certain
> > that
> > if our younger populace were surveyed, they would be happy with FWD
> > (although both groups would probably agree that AWD is better, but
> > isn't as
> > affordable).
> >     For a fast street/ track/ autocross car, many FWD cars are very
> > competitive (just ask the racing crowd out there).  Cars like the
> > Integra
> > (now RS), Civic, GTI, Jetta, Celica, Eclipse (and Alfa in Europe) and
> > many
> > more use FWD and still perform very well.  Excellent street/ track
> > and rally
> > performance has (of course) been shown by AWD vehicles like Audi and
> > Subaru
> > (many others too).  The AWD setup does have some (minor) weight and
> > complexity disadvantages in track and autocross situations, however.
> > To be
> > sure, RWD cars are still very popular, and do well (if in a
> > well-balanced
> > chassis).  Modern front-engined examples like BMWs, Mustangs, Lexus
> > (Lexae?), Mercedes, Porsches (944/968/928), Mazda RX-7s, Toyota
> > Supras and
> > other RWD cars have many advantages in weight transfer, allowing
> > better
> > acceleration and more available power on the track.  But these
> > advantages
> > aren't really relevant on the street.
> >     In my opinion, if you want to burn rubber, go buy a muscle-car!
> > RWD
> > Alfas weren't made for doing that.  They were designed for "great
> > handling"
> > on the track and on the street, and they were among the best handling
> > cars
> > for their time.  But when we talk of 'new ' cars, manufacturers have
> > learned
> > a lot from the successes of the early small, sporty cars like the
> > mini
> > cooper and the first generation GTI.  Many of today's RWD cars are
> > still
> > great handling street cars (as long as the weather doesn't call for
> > too much
> > rain or snow).  But, if you live in a snowy area, or want good
> > all-around
> > driveability, reliability and gas mileage, while maintaining very
> > decent
> > handling, the technology and better slippery surface handling in FWD
> > cars
> > makes them a better alternative for all-purpose driving.
> >     Ultimately, the best system for all road conditions is AWD.  If I
> > had to
> > buy a new Alfa replacement right now, I would look to the WRX, or the
> > A4
> > 1.8T.  However, I think I can wait.  If I could ask the Alfa Gods for
> > one
> > thing, it would be to give us AWD versions of all their cars...in
> > fact, I
> > would ask that they don't even bother bringing over any FWD cars!
> > Just
> > think of it - new Alfas that handle great and have the quirkiness and
> > complexity of AWD and  CVT!!  What a great way to maintain the Alfa
> > image
> > (and you think the Verde's ABS is complex!).
> >
> > Standing by for flames!
> > Alex Csank
> > '69 Spider 1300 Junior (RWD/ 5-speed manual)
> > '78 Sprint Veloce (RWD/ 5 speed manual)
> > '87 Milano Gold (RWD/ 5-speed manual)
> > '98 VW Jetta TDi (FWD and Turbo- Diesel/ 5-speed manual))
> >
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