AWD vs RWD easyness to drive question

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SubaruFlamingo

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Apr 15, 2005

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Michigan

Jul 4, 2005

#1

• Jul 4, 2005

• #1

Well, this may be sort of an odd question, but any input would be appreciated.

For a first manual car, can it be said that say, a 05 Mustang would be easier to drive than a WRX STi? (Keep in mind Im talking STi, not normal WRX) I'm not just talking numbers, since I know both have plenty o torque down low, but how do the other factors compare?

Is rear wheel drive better or worse when you are starting out; it seems if you gave it too much power by accident, its better to spin the tires and waste a little tread than have your clutch assembly/whatever-else-in-the-sti take the stress?

But at the same time, it seems as if you were out driving in the real world, and you gave it a little too much gas by accident say switching lanes or going around a corner, the stang could kick its rear end out/oversteer and injure/kill you. Am I looking at all this the right way?

 

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grrrrrrr

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norfolk, VA

Jul 4, 2005

#2

• Jul 4, 2005

• #2

you're talking extreme situations where any normal persons common sense would take over... Have you ever driven a high horsepower car before?

 

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SubaruFlamingo

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#3

• Jul 4, 2005

• #3

I have 250hp 05 LGT with the automatic, and if I give it too much gas on purpose I can swing the rear out in 1st and sometimes 2nd gear. I think Im not getting my question across the way I want; Im not going to be doing crazy stuff in it, I meant is it a lot easier to get into trouble in the mustang if you give it a tiny bit to much gas while going around a corner on a street that say has some debris on it causing the car to slide... or are these more of the freak accident questions that I shouldnt be asking?

 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

May 1, 2005

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7200 feet

Jul 4, 2005

#4

• Jul 4, 2005

• #4

the mustang has esp (electronic stability control), and if you start to slide out the rear, it cuts the throttle. that ends the fishtail....

 

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Aerosi665

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Apr 12, 2005

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Tempe, Arizona

Jul 4, 2005

#5

• Jul 4, 2005

• #5

If you leave the traction control on in the mustang it will save your ass if you do anything stupid. When I was learning to drive stick in my GT it saved me quite a few times. Now that I know how to drive though I usually leave it off

 

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SubaruFlamingo

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#6

• Jul 4, 2005

• #6

Ah, I didnt know how good the TCS was as opposed to a full blown Stability control system. So on to the other part of my question, will the car that one finds easier to drive (STi/05stang) vary from person to person?

 

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vacooley

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Apr 11, 2005

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Jul 5, 2005

#7

• Jul 5, 2005

• #7

The Subaru will have more traction and positive control in almost any condition. If you are worried about traction the AWD car is the better choice. I am NOT saying that the stang and RWD in general are bad or dangerous.

As far as safety goes, either car has enough power to get you into trouble if you are foolish.

"There is no device sufficiently foolproof to protect aganst a someone who is sufficiently foolish."

Now.... if your talking fun (including some types of racing) then that is a different story.

 

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SpazHairlip

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Jun 13, 2005

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Jul 5, 2005

#8

• Jul 5, 2005

• #8

You will notice a higher degree of control out of the AWD car then you will from the solid axel RWD car, even if it has a TCS (traction control system).

If you’re on the road at 40 MPH in 4th gear cruising in an AWD car and then drop it to 2nd and floor it, you might notice you grab better and start to move. In the RWD TCS car, you might bog a bit with the control on since the rear wheels will want to spin. If you know what you’re doing and have the TCS off, you can take off as good or better then the AWD (unless you have really low profile tires).

The AWD car gives you more control and is more forgiving to the lay driver. But a lot of people who are experienced prefer the RWD set up.

Both have their pros and cons, but neither is a hand above the other in any given situation.

If you live in Alaska, get the AWD car J

 

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SubaruFlamingo

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#9

• Jul 5, 2005

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Alright, thanks for the help. This doesnt makes the decision any easier for me :/ Guess I gotta see those 06 STi's in person... then see if there are any 05s even left.

 

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Vandil

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#10

• Jul 5, 2005

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My father inlaws lost count of the number of STI's he's repaired for damaged clutch/tranny.

Or as he says it, "the stupid F%^&#r's buy em burn em up and bring em back a week later"

 

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SubaruFlamingo

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#11

• Jul 5, 2005

• #11

Number of STi's or number of WRXs? there is a HUGE difference, as the WRX is supposed to have a fragile tranny but the STi's is heavy duty. The guys over at imprezawrxsti.com say that the clutch and tranny are pretty hardcore and can take a little abuse.

 

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Vandil

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Jul 6, 2005

#12

• Jul 6, 2005

• #12

Usually tranny/clutch on the WRX, clutch on the STi. Like you said the STI has a completely different power train, bulkier 6 speed, shorter shaft, different differential, axle lengths/widths/splines. You can have a really well built machine and still have ignoramouses wreck the clutch in a week.They're good cars, and hasn't stopped my family from buying subby's(the discount helps). Just wanted to point out if somethings going to break on them early, that's probably where it will happen.

If I had to drive my 05 in the winter I'd have opted for the STi. Hard to beat AWD in the snow.

 

300bhp/ton

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England

Jul 6, 2005

#13

• Jul 6, 2005

• #13

SubaruFlamingo said:

Alright, thanks for the help. This doesnt makes the decision any easier for me :/ Guess I gotta see those 06 STi's in person... then see if there are any 05s even left.

Click to expand...

there isn't really an easier, just different. If you're worried or even want some fun book your self on a performance/car control driving course. They are great fun and will teach you a lot about car control.

The Mustang is a bit of brute, lots of torque and rwd, this means you may have to hussle it a bit more when clamping on down a twisty road but it will likely be quite progressive.

A 4wd STi will be very nimble and easy to drive quick, however when they do break loose it is usually quite spectacular and most drivers end up purley as an observer going a long for the ride.

 

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SubaruFlamingo

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Jul 6, 2005

#14

• Jul 6, 2005

• #14

OK, so I figure worst case scenario if I get the STi is that a have to replace the clutch sometime, which isnt bad compared to fookin up the tranny. I guess I really need to find a 05 GT to test drive, all the magazines call it big and bulky especially compared to the STi, so I wanna feel just how "big" it feel while cornering and stuff. Thanks for the help, Im sure I will have more questions in the next few months