by Joe Jenkins

Created on: February 14, 2008

Whether you have the front, rear or all four of the wheels pumping out your engine's labors, you run into a number of both positives and negatives. Choosing the drive format that fits you best is what will make you happiest.

Front-wheel drive is great for your typical commuter. If you don't plan on racing, it will give you adequate traction in any weather. Most import companies have even managed to tweak a decent amount of performance out of the front-wheel format. The Nissan Maxima and the Acura RSX Type S are great examples of this.

There are also drawbacks to the front wheel drivers. First is a phenomenon known as torque steer. When the power is being diverted to the wheels that are also controlling the direction of the car, steering in and out of corners can become an arduous task. Secondly, if you are looking for a quick, off the line jump, front-wheel drive will give you the most problems due to the sheer physics of the vehicle launch. Stepping on the gas results in the weight of the vehicle being shifted to the rear, preventing the front wheels from getting proper traction.

Rear-wheel drive is the format that we all fell in love with in our Mustangs, Chargers, and GTO's. No self respecting muscle car is powered by anything less that two fat strips of rubber strapped to the back of your beast. Rear wheel also offers the fun donuts, power drifts, and burnouts that no other drive format can match. If you're a racer, you crave your rear-wheel drive.

While rear wheel drive is great for the sporting enthusiast, If you live in the northeast like I do, it is strictly a seasonal luxury. RWD offers even the most experienced drivers a fair amount of problems in snow and icy conditions. If you insist on having a rear wheel pony car in New York, I also suggest a winter beater with a different drive train to get you through those brutal Nor'easters.

Finally, all-wheel drive brings a number of benefits. It is by far the best in adverse weather for day-to-day driving. It also offers the best launch off the line for you racers out there.

Unfortunately, with the convenience of AWD comes added weight that lowers top end speed, handling capabilities and fuel economy. On top of this, the general rule of "the more moving parts, the more there is to break," applies. While most major manufacturers have overcome most problems, you still will hear horror stories about transmission blow outs from owners of AWD vehicles.

In the end, the choice of driving format really boils down to the driver's preference. Some people enjoy the feel of torque steer while others don't feel like they are really driving unless the back end of the car is doing the pushing.

As for me? I'm a fan of driving. If a car rides smooth and handles well in sweeping corners I'll have a smile on my face regardless of what wheels are doing all the work.

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