north wind and ecomod

[Christ]

I've had AWD, 4WD, and FWD/RWD. I prefer the 2WD. It gets me to remember my limits. If i can't get out of the driveway, I don't go out on the road. It's that simple.

I don't believe that AWD handles any better with a responsible driver behind the wheel, except in the case that the responsible driver makes a mistake. It's bound to happen, of course, but does it merit having AWD sucking up your fuel and maintenance budget all the time? No. I don't think it does.

Most of the time, Simple is Effective. Anything more is often benign, therefore a waste.

[SentraSE-R]

Originally Posted by wdb

How about a light AWD?

No such animal, AFAIK. Name me one that weighs <3500 lbs that's available in the U.S.

[Christ]

1988-1991 Honda Civic Wagon RT-AWD, for one. I'm not sure about the Mitsubishi GSX and variants, they might be in that weight range, as well.

Either way, it's not necessary.

[SentraSE-R]

I wasn't aware of that Civic model, but it is at least 19 years old now.

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 and Eclipse GSX, Eagle Talon TSi AWD, etc. are in the 3300 lb. range, essentially 3500 lb cars.

I'd put my money on a heads-up driver in a 2WD over an average driver in an AWD.

[Christ]

That's exactly how I feel... replace the added weight and complexity of the AWD system with a trained high speed course and associated driver education. Stop making the cars safer, make the drivers more responsible.

[jamesqf]

I have to disagree a bit. 4WD/AWD can be useful if you live where there are mountains, and a good light 4WD, like for instance pre-'85 Subarus, can get decent MPG.

That said, I did spend a couple of years making weekly trips over the Sierra Nevada (via Calif 88) in my Insight, and the only time I couldn't get through was when a jackknifed semi had blocked the road.

[dcb]

the majority of the population is not rural however, cuz that's just not what rural means.

[Christ]

I'm rural. I've never needed 4wd. If I can't get out of it with two wheels, I can get out of it with two feet, and that's probably how I should have gotten into it in the first place.

Hell, I go mudding with 2WD trucks.

Now, if you wanted to get up to where I get wood for the stove, that would require 4WD. And even that doesn't always make it.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

No such animal, AFAIK. Name me one that weighs <3500 lbs that's available in the U.S.

Darn near every Subaru, old and new, for starters. TT and 3- and 4-series Audis, probably the older ones because they've been bloating upwards of late. (So have Subies, sad to say.) Honda CRVs and their ilk, although I am loathe to call their systems "AWD". A bunch of itty bitty SUV's from across the Pacific, from Kia and its bretheren.

If you insist on old and quirky there is of course the Justy.

[Frank Lee]

I had Tempo AWD up there but took it down since it's 4WD.