Fwd?

[Beav]

So tell me, does the lack of AWD adversely affect the handling? I realize that some torque steer will become noticeable, but I doubt that it would be severe. Where I'm at I dont't really need AWD and it would be nice to include FWD models, to increase selection, let alone for the price break. And not to mention a little less maintenance prone. My '92 was great in Colo. I had a 350' driveway with an 8% grade and could push snow over the hood. I have little need for that now though. *Thank Goodness*

Just looking for some input, esp. from those that have driven both more than a few feet.

Beav

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by Beav
So tell me, does the lack of AWD adversely affect the handling? I realize that some torque steer will become noticeable, but I doubt that it would be severe. Where I'm at I dont't really need AWD and it would be nice to include FWD models, to increase selection, let alone for the price break. And not to mention a little less maintenance prone. My '92 was great in Colo. I had a 350' driveway with an 8% grade and could push snow over the hood. I have little need for that now though. *Thank Goodness*

Just looking for some input, esp. from those that have driven both more than a few feet.

Beav

I may not be the best judge, since my first tranny was a Legacy tranny, so the gear ratio was lower. According to the tranny rebuilder, my transfer clutches were probably burnt shortly after the install since they had hooked up the mismatched rearend, so, I was probably driving in FWD from the outset. I hadn't had any snow or real adverse conditions to check and see. With the lower gear ratio, the torque steer was quite overstated. The handling, overall, was not that much different than it was after I had the "real" SVX tranny put in. It may have been a placibo, but, it seemed to feel "tighter" around the corners. One thing did stand out as "different" after the transmission was replaced and I had AWD, and that was, the car seemed to follow the dips in the road more.

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by Aredubjay
I may not be the best judge, since my first tranny was a Legacy tranny, so the gear ratio was lower. According to the tranny rebuilder, my transfer clutches were probably burnt shortly after the install since they had hooked up the mismatched rearend, so, I was probably driving in FWD from the outset.

You mean FWD, right?

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets


You mean FWD, right?

Yes, isn't that what I said?

[huck369]

Originally posted by Beav


Just looking for some input, esp. from those that have driven both more than a few feet.

Beav

Well Beav,
I've got one of each, and there is some torque steer on the FWD, not bad mind you, but present. My 94 FWD feels faster than my 92 AWD did while I still had an auto in it.
The FWD are a couple hundred pounds lighter, and have less HP loss through the drivetrain, so if you don't really need AWD, the the FWD's should be faster, and have less tranny trouble (plus cheaper tranny if you needed to replace it) , than the AWD's.


Did I mention that I have a 94 L FWD for sale?

Just some food for thought.

[1994SubaruSVX]

i have had my car on a road course where i really put it through its paces. understeer was minimal to be honest. the car pretty much does what you want it to. i actually got myself in an oversteer situation by coming in to hot, did a 180. i have driven fwd cars my whole life and this one understeers the least.