Originally posted by Pigeon:
Drive a good RWD car aggressively at an autocross or a track, then tell me that FWD is dynamically even close to RWD. Go drive an Acural TL 3.2 and tell me that you enjoy torque steer. RWD is far better in nearly every respect than FWD, the only advantage to FWD being in snow traction where the weight being over the driven wheels helps initial acceleration.

Now, as to where the car is made, that I don't give a rat's a$$ about. Just make it quick and cheap.

Scott



I have driven both my RX-7 and my Contour aggressively at autocross and track events, and I will say that the dynamics are equal. Very different characters, but equal dynamics.

The RX-7 feels like a slot car, though I believe that is aided by it's firmer tuning, smaller size, and go-kart driving position. However, it bites without warning. A little too far, and say good-bye to the tail.

The Contour is much more linear in its behavior, the input you give is proportional to the response you get. The car tells you when the limits are being reached. I am far more confident pushing the Contour to the limits than the RX-7, because it lets me know when I reach them (a slight wigging in the rear suspension). However, the car is more deliberate in its handling response and plows over the limit when stock, it can be tuned to have some tail swing.

I must say torque steer is the whipping boy of FWD haters. I flogged a 2004 Acura TL on Saturday, and while I noticed it a little, I did not find it objectionable. You just treat it like an internal skid, and keep the car going where you want it to go. It was much less hairy than when I took a Lincoln LS V8 Sport almost sideways on the same turn driving it approximately the same way. I did the same thing and steered where I wanted the car to go.

I believe that FWD and RWD have different, though potentially equally good, dynamics. I think the engineering of the car to build its personality has a lot more to do with the driving quality than the wheels chosen to drive the car.

That said, it's really a matter of taste which characteristics you prefer to drive with.

Brad "Diva": 2004 Mazda 6s 5-door, Volcanic Red Rex: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Vert, Harbor Blue.