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in that a Saab with a quattro like AWD system as an option would be a very good thing... and that a there is a need for qualification of any AWD system given the assumptions of a large part of the population (and I agree of course not including you and I).
On the other hand, I disagree, I think the advantage of AWD is far more than just acceleration. I have found (in my 2001 Audi A4 Quattro, no traction control) cornering whether at even, increasing or decreasing speeds to be greatly improved and engine braking to be improved (yes, a small plus, but it's nice, especially to be able to be able to slow down slightly when that is all that is necessary without having to use the "pedal brakes" as I agree pedal braking of course isn't improved in an AWD system--and that's why you see so many SUVs in ditches) over my old 89 Saab 900S which was of course FWD, with no traction control.
Yes, I will admit--that's an unfair comparison-89 Saab vs. 01 Audi--to compare cars of different vintages, ages, costs, engines, weights etc...although I will say they were both equipped with good all season tires (I won't get into the quattro with snow tires' incredible traction in this comparison), but the fact is, at least for my real world needs, the quattro is vastly superior to FWD. And please don't take this as a Saab vs. Audi comment, but rather a FWD vs. AWD thing. I still love Saabs, want another for a second car for myself, and I love my girlfriend's 97 Saab 900 SET though not as much as my C900 :-)
But anyway, without rattling off pages of specific comparisons, I will say my Audi takes difficult snowy, icy, ascending, descending whether at a steady, increasing, or decreasing speed sharp turns far better than my 89 Saab 900S ever did. Now, 90% of the population doesn't drive their car on snowy, icy roads nor do they "test" their cars as I do...but I know what works for my needs if nothing else.
In fact, the number one reason I switched to Audi when I needed a new car was quattro--even though I loved my C900 and had always thought that I would only own Saabs forever. And I would have bought another Saab if they had had a quattro like system in a second, but they didn't, so I didn't buy a Saab. But again, this is my personal need, I'm certainly a minority of the car buying public in my needs and tastes. So, I can't blame Saab for not coming out with quattro yet, especially given how small of a company they were.
Therefore, if I know there may be snow, ice or even heavy rain where my girlfriend and I happen to be going for a weekend for example, we'll always drive the AWD car not the FWD car...but still drive carefully.
posted by 209.86.24...
, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 12:56:03
, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 15:45:12, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 15:58:41, Thu, 25 Sep 2003 13:47:05
, Fri, 26 Sep 2003 05:43:04
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