[Responsibility2nd]

Also from the article....

More recently, Acura has promoted all-wheel drive, which resolves the debate by asking a different question: Wouldn't you rather have driving power from all four tires?

[ken5050]

BMW drivers can always try reverse...

[BubbaBobTX]

You are right I have owned several all wheel drive vehicles and without a doubt all handled better under all conditions.

[spetznaz]

Thank goodness I shifted to Benz! After the Bangle fumble, now front-wheel drive BMWs? What next ...a 5 series that is also part SUV! (Oops, I guess so, with the 5 Series GT).

[Clarence]

I had an Acura TL (6 speed manual) that was the worst car I have ever had in the snow- too much torque over the wheels. But it was beautiful when the roads were fine.

My current is a BMW 328xi; handles like a dream no matter what the condition. RWD much of the time, computer calls in all 4 wheels as needed. I have a job that requires I get out no matter what the weather- I agree, I’d rather have all wheel drive; can’t see going back to front wheel only.

[bk1000]

” That difference is instantly recognizable but hard to define.”

Not really hard to define: FWD pulls the car, RWD pushes it.
Besides, burning off the front tires is lame.

[Minn]

Auto enthusiasts—including many automotive designers and engineering executives, as well as wealthy car buyers—generally prefer cars to have the driving wheels in the back. It makes a difference in the way a car handles and steers. That difference is instantly recognizable but hard to define.

It's really easy to define on snow and ice. With rear wheel drive you slide around, fish tail, and get stuck a lot; whether it's a 2009 Beemer or a 78 Monte Carlo. With front wheel drive you have no trouble. The only advantage I can think of for real wheel drive is if you really like doing donuts in the school parking lot. There's also the drive shaft taking up space in the passenger compartment, if you consider that and advantage.

[Redcloak]

[T]hey typically get better fuel economy and thus emit less carbon dioxide than similar-sized rear-drive vehicles...

Or, to put it more scientific terms, they don't have bad juju.

</sarcasm>

[justlurking]

More recently, Acura has promoted all-wheel drive, which resolves the debate by asking a different question: Wouldn't you rather have driving power from all four tires?

I have an SH-AWD Acura. It's awesome. The system applies torque to the correct wheel for best handling -- for instance an accelerating left-turn will apply torque to the right rear wheel.

I don't think I'll ever go back to two-wheel-drive, unless I can't afford another AWD car.

[jiggyboy]

Still, front-wheel-drive cars suffer from being pegged as relatively unexciting to drive.

Uh huh. I much prefer to be driving a RWD 1970's barge during bad weather so I can worry every second about fishtailing into a ditch.

[paterfamilias]

In my experience, the hype about rear-wheel drive cars handling better is apparent only when you are driving near the limit of tire adhesion, i.e., the ability to throttle-steer. I have only (willingly) experienced this on the skid pad or on the track.

However, a good driver in a high-performance front-wheel drive car can out drive a mediocre driver like me in a high-performance rear-wheel drive car any day of the week.

My sports cars have always been rear-wheel drive; my daily drivers have, since 1974, always been front-wheel drive. As a person who lives in a hilly area of the snowy Northeast and who skis in Vermont and Quebec, I have always appreciated the combination of traction, handling, and interior space afforded by the front-wheel drive platform.

My yuppie friends can keep their Bimmers; I’ll continue to drive my VW’s, thank you.

[Fresh Wind]

Still, front-wheel-drive cars suffer from being pegged as relatively unexciting to drive.

Owners of MazdaSpeed 3's, VW GTI's, Mini Coopers, Audi A3's, and Honda Civic Si's might argue the point. And there are plenty of RWD and AWD drive cars that are crushingly dull to drive.

[sten]

get an X and cut out the confusion

( X == xDrive == all wheel drive == total awesomeness )

unfortunately, afaik... they don't make a 6 series X

[Kenny Bunk]

Front-wheel-drive cars are usually better in snow, because the engine weight is located over the driving wheels. And they typically get better fuel economy and thus emit less carbon dioxide than similar-sized rear-drive vehicles—although thanks to technology, today's rear-wheel-drive cars are closing the gap.

How stupid are these people?

[mowowie]

I’ve never owned a front drive car.

[j-damn]

Here we go with the “it’s not a real car unless it’s a RWD with a manual transmission” nonsense, again.

I guess we’ll also soon see a “it’s not real music unless it’s being reproduced by a needle being dragged across a piece of vinyl” article soon. These birds tend to flock together.

Sidenote: why do people who want to be seen as rich drive a MB or BMW...shouldn’t the truly rich be DRIVEN by a DRIVER in one of those cars?

[jimt]

The advantages of front-wheel drive are mainly practical. Because the drive train, engine and steering gear are all packaged together under the hood, it's easier to give more space to passengers or cargo inside.

For "practical", read "it's cheaper to manufacture", as long as you have no concern for servicing the vehicle. When you get into that, it's no longer so "practical".

Front-wheel-drive cars are usually better in snow, because the engine weight is located over the driving wheels.

Until you try driving downhill. Of course, you could back down every hill you come across.

How many race cars do you see with front wheel drive ?

[VOA]

“
A rear-drive car is “livelier, it’s more direct-connected to the road,”
says Dave Leone, global vehicle chief engineer for General Motors Co.’s
rear-wheel-drive and performance cars, including the Cadillac CTS,
Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Corvette.
“

I have to restrain myself from my general thought that any GM pronouncement is
generally a good NEGATIVE indicator of reality.

I know many friends that love rear-wheel drive. All I know is that
it has only been real-wheel drive vehicles that have nearly got me
kilt on snow/winter condition roads.

But if someone wants to gift me a new/classic Camaro or Corvette,
I’m open to the offer!!!