Front-wheel or rear-wheel -- does it matter for city driving?

kylera · Feb 10, 2013, 05:12 AM

I may buy a car - my first car ever - sometime later this year, so I've been looking up various models sold here. One thing that came up to mind, though, is whether front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel can play any role into a purchase. As mentioned in the title, I don't intend to do anything harsh or heavy with my car - just drive it to work in the city or buy groceries.

SandboxGeneral · Feb 10, 2013, 05:23 AM

The front wheel drive will aid you when it snows better than a rear wheel drive. Otherwise there isn't too much advantage between them unless you want to race around. Then the rear wheel drive will have an advantage. But normal city driving, you could go either way.

maflynn · Feb 10, 2013, 05:58 AM

Front wheeled is more then adequate for most people.

All wheeled drive has a benefit of better performance through snow or mud (if you go off roading) but at a higher cost.

Rear wheeled cars are rare at this point, mostly only on some sports cars. I've seen these cars try to handle the snow and since there's no weight in the trunk, the back end tends to fish tale very easily.

I'd go for front wheeled since its great for 95% of your driving needs imo

sammich · 04:20 PM

In situations where levels of traction aren't concerned (as the two above me have said already) there isn't much difference. FWD cars do have torque steer, but that really only shows through with more power (and manufacturers try to limit it's effects in the cars).

ucfgrad93 · Feb 10, 2013, 11:03 AM

Unless you get a lot of snow or drive in it, then a front wheel drive vehicle would suit you fine.

eric/ · Feb 10, 2013, 11:08 AM

I would go with a front wheel drive too

Tomorrow · Feb 10, 2013, 04:13 PM

Depends on the vehicle, really. One thing I always hated about front wheel drive is that almost inevitably having to replace the CV joints at some point down the road. With rear wheel drive that's a non-issue.

My SUV is rear wheel drive and I don't have any issues with slipping on mud, ice, or snow. But if you want to drive a small car, you likely won't have much of a choice there.

Demonface · Feb 10, 2013, 05:54 PM

I would prefer AWD . But I'd settle for FWD .

Feb 10, 2013, 05:12 AM	#1
kylera macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Seoul	Front-wheel or rear-wheel -- does it matter for city driving? I may buy a car - my first car ever - sometime later this year, so I've been looking up various models sold here. One thing that came up to mind, though, is whether front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel can play any role into a purchase. As mentioned in the title, I don't intend to do anything harsh or heavy with my car - just drive it to work in the city or buy groceries. __________________ Current Macs: 2012 13" MBA \| 2011 27" iMac \| PowerBook G4 12" \| eMac 700Mhz Current iOS: iPad 4 3G 64GB \| iPhone 4S 16GB
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Feb 10, 2013, 05:23 AM	#2
SandboxGeneral Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The New World	The front wheel drive will aid you when it snows better than a rear wheel drive. Otherwise there isn't too much advantage between them unless you want to race around. Then the rear wheel drive will have an advantage. But normal city driving, you could go either way. __________________ Twitter \| Website \| ♫ Free iTunes Music ♫ *Random Access Memories* ~ daft punk
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Feb 10, 2013, 05:58 AM	#3
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	Front wheeled is more then adequate for most people. All wheeled drive has a benefit of better performance through snow or mud (if you go off roading) but at a higher cost. Rear wheeled cars are rare at this point, mostly only on some sports cars. I've seen these cars try to handle the snow and since there's no weight in the trunk, the back end tends to fish tale very easily. I'd go for front wheeled since its great for 95% of your driving needs imo __________________ ~Mike Flynn
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Feb 10, 2013, 06:08 AM	#4
sammich macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The same place as my missing avatar.	In situations where levels of traction aren't concerned (as the two above me have said already) there isn't much difference. FWD cars do have torque steer, but that really only shows through with more power (and manufacturers try to limit it's effects in the cars). __________________ Official MR IRC Slow news day? Never fear, Digitimes is here. Serving up free hits for techblogs everywhere. Last edited by sammich; Feb 10, 2013 at 04:20 PM. Reason: Sigh, typo
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Feb 10, 2013, 04:13 PM	#7
Tomorrow macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Always a day away	Depends on the vehicle, really. One thing I always hated about front wheel drive is that almost inevitably having to replace the CV joints at some point down the road. With rear wheel drive that's a non-issue. My SUV is rear wheel drive and I don't have any issues with slipping on mud, ice, or snow. But if you want to drive a small car, you likely won't have much of a choice there. __________________ I would scream just to be heard, as if yelling at the stars - I was bleeding just to feel. You would never say a word, kept me reaching in the dark - always something to conceal.
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Feb 10, 2013, 11:03 AM	#5
ucfgrad93 macrumors G4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado	Unless you get a lot of snow or drive in it, then a front wheel drive vehicle would suit you fine.
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Feb 10, 2013, 11:08 AM	#6
eric/ Guest Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ohio, United States	I would go with a front wheel drive too
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Feb 10, 2013, 05:54 PM	#8
Demonface macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Jersey/Miami	I would prefer AWD . But I'd settle for FWD .
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