FWD versus AWD [Merged 2-8]

[TrippleStar]

Hello, kids. Here is the Official AWD or FWD? thread. All the hare-brained arguments about "rolling starts" and "top speed" and "deadly transfer cases" and "drivetrain losses" and the rest of the mis-guided "better" advice is right here.

It's recommended you just skip reading it. You already know which you want, and why. Still, it's a place to dump it all.

Let's start with this fine opener from 2002 (it really doesn't get much better):

newbie to DSMs here, whats AWD and FWD. just sold my civic hatchback and got my eclipse not to long ago and im still learing the dsm101 stuff.

 

[hypergenesis]

Hey Gs-T isnt too bad at all I plan to have applications for mine to be over 300 HP, If your commuting though a gs-t wouldn't be such a bad idea you do get better mpg and what not.

 

[Ghost_GSX]

just wait for the gsx
i think you will be more satisfied in the end if you wait
just be patient

 

[jv_g_2005]

my dad would selling his 99 gray gsx if you got the cash wont give it to me says ill kill my self pertty much if you want to buy it youd have to get your dad to buy it he wont sell to any 1 under 27 says were are all a bunch of punk kids wating to die my dadas an old man so his has been kept updont think hes ever taken it over 60 1st time owner 34000 org miles on it super clean thats why i bough an eclipse so i say wait for a gsx

 

[bradikus7]

Just wait....coming from experience. Started with a Gs-T, put tons of money into it and it just wasn't fun. Got my GSX from my uncle for practically nothing. I got lucky though.

 

[Tyeler18]

my dad would selling his 99 gray gsx if you got the cash wont give it to me says ill kill my self pertty much if you want to buy it youd have to get your dad to buy it he wont sell to any 1 under 27 says were are all a bunch of punk kids wating to die my dadas an old man so his has been kept updont think hes ever taken it over 60 1st time owner 34000 org miles on it super clean thats why i bough an eclipse so i say wait for a gsx

If you drive like you speak, it's not surprising he won't sell you the car. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling- learn all 3.

Wait it out for the GSX. You'll be happy you did.

 

[Foz]

Wait for the GSX or you'll wish you had. I tried to avoid Mitsu's but somehow ended up with two AWD Talon's in my garage. Damn BOGO sale

 

[DSMTyson]

If you drive like you speak, it's not surprising he won't sell you the car. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling- learn all 3.

Wait it out for the GSX. You'll be happy you did.

Couldn't of said it better myself.

Wait on the GSX. I almost settled for a clean 93 TSi FWD when i was shopping for a DSM, but I knew I would want the awd when I tried for more power. I was right

 

[jakelandry]

Well you've all convinced me to wait. I jut hate no having a car and leaving my mom stranded at home all day while I'm at school.

 

[95AWD6Bolt]

buy a beater in the mean time.

It took me about three years to find something that was close to what I wanted.

 

[TSI from Hell]

Patience is a virtue. Nuff said.

 

[Maverick4g63]

buy a beater in the mean time.

It took me about three years to find something that was close to what I wanted.

+1 you could always buy a honda

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[95AWD6Bolt]

+1 you could always buy a honda

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

First and best mod that you will ever make!

 

[jakelandry]

if you feel like driving!!

Eclipse Turbo GSX All Wheel Drive

I already talked to the guy, he is a prick.

 

[SPYDERGSTTUNER]

Well everyone here says to wait for a gsx, but i'd have to agree with maverick4g63 on this one, what really matters is what your goals are for that car, if your planning on a quick smoke about anything on the road dd then go with the gst, but if you plan mostly track time and such then wait for the gsx.

 

[thewhiteone]

personally, if i was buying a car again, I fell like if i bought a gs-t I would spend all my time and money trying to get it to be a gsx as far as speed.

Its all up to you tho, just like everyone said, and your plans.

 

[FlossinTSi AWD]

wait for an AWD if you really want one. Trust me if you want something, you will find one!! best of luck

 

[jakelandry]

Oh, just for future reading and being as this thread contains several pages of people looking for something positive about fwd.... Fwd has one fun advantage and that is mcdonalds food trays under the back tires!

 

[hypergenesis]

Whats with all the hate on Gs-T's haha?

 

[Dan90tsi]

Theres something I don't understand here.......Everyone that is trying to defend FWD is all saying the same thing. If you want good track times get an AWD but if you want fun on the street then get FWD but isn't fun on the street when you can haul up to some cobra mustang or corvette or just some dumbass who thinks his car is the best ever, then rip his ass out of the hole from light to light and watch the smile wipe right off his face?....isn't that the fun?....I mean I wont say that burning some tires isn't fun from time to time but that fun quickly dies when your sitting spinning at a light through 3 gears while the big bad V8 whoops your ass. And especially after you spent all the money to make big power and you just get to watch it go up in smoke. That aint fun. And people say that their FWD is faster in the top end. Where in the streets do you have enough room to get up to that speed? But like everyone says, depends on what fun is to you i guess. I'll stick with the AWD fun of leaving ppl in the mirror

 

[drzdude]

Personally I've never cared for fwd. I like rwd but I resently got a awd talon and boy does it put a grin on my face. No traction issues at all it just gets it.

 

[hypergenesis]

Theres something I don't understand here.......Everyone that is trying to defend FWD is all saying the same thing. If you want good track times get an AWD but if you want fun on the street then get FWD but isn't fun on the street when you can haul up to some cobra mustang or corvette or just some dumbass who thinks his car is the best ever, then rip his ass out of the hole from light to light and watch the smile wipe right off his face?....isn't that the fun?....I mean I wont say that burning some tires isn't fun from time to time but that fun quickly dies when your sitting spinning at a light through 3 gears while the big bad V8 whoops your ass. And especially after you spent all the money to make big power and you just get to watch it go up in smoke. That aint fun. And people say that their FWD is faster in the top end. Where in the streets do you have enough room to get up to that speed? But like everyone says, depends on what fun is to you i guess. I'll stick with the AWD fun of leaving ppl in the mirror

Oh honestly anyone that says fwd and awd are the same is poorly mistaken. AWD is a lot better traction and launch control, but applications also matter for someone like me who commutes 40-70 miles 5 days a week and wants a fun car that wont murder me on gas GS-T is not bad at all. Yea off the line I lose the traction but most of the time that people try to race around here its on the highway since we have way too many cops lying around. Still though from stop yea a v8 gas guzzler would beat me but if we are going anywhere near top end their in my rear view mirror

 

[Maverick4g63]

Whats with all the hate on Gs-T's haha?

Flamers will be flamers.

I built a 600cc bike for the strip and was constantly flamed for it. Its all the better when you smoke someone your not supposed to beat.

 

[DSMnOOb00]

I had a 95 GST fully modded and sold it for a 97 GSX.. I LOVE GSX but miss the great MPG the GST had.. plus it was cheaper to tow

 

[SpawnedX]

I once tried to defend GSTs with the top speed argument...well with stock gearing on my rims and tires, my GSX can theoretically get to 184 MPH. Considering the power I would need and the length of road needed, I can guarantee you, no GST is going to have the room to top that.

My point? The top speed argument is a misguided and hopeless attempt to justify the FWD platform. You love your FWD? Fine, that's you. When you are at a red light and hit a gas and get a 9 to 10 car jump on the guy next to you, it's over, period, they usually give up right there. It really is that big of a difference, it really is that much more enjoyable and 15 pounds on my AWD has a bigger smile on my face than 21 pounds on my GST.

 

[ridelowandslow]

love my gsx. the awd grips amazing in all conditions if i'm driving properly