AWD (or even 4WD) gives people a lot of confidence. People buy the perception of security and safety. Some get overconfident, drive too fast and wind up off the road.

My cautious wife, who learned to drive living on a hill in a '60s-era RWD domestic car has an Exploder. She puts it in automatic AWD when the roads are bad and to get up our driveway if I haven't blown it clear. It's also useful for pulling guests out of the ditch when they drive off the edge. She likes it, but is just as content in a Saab with 4 snows.

But in almost 7 years with the Exploder, the one time 4WD was invaluable was going up a ski area access road on ice. From a dead stop to moving forward on about a 4% grade, all the FWD cars were spinning and the Exploder was able to get moving with no effort. But other than situations like that, FWD works fine. I've had it for 28 years and the only times I've gotten stuck was when I did something stupid and went into a snowbank

n

posted by 24.52.16...

• The "need" for AWD, Bob M, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 05:23:42
  • My $.02..., bb vign, Fri, 11 Mar 2005 05:52:17
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, David, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 08:02:45
    • You mean going uphill, AWD is better.., Bob M, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 08:16:56
      • Re: You mean going uphill, AWD is better.., David, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:21:27
        • Low Center-of-Gravity, Draken, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:48:00
  • One need for AWD - to handle 300+ hp in the next 9-5, Greg Abbott , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 16:52:53
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, Doug/NH, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:42:24
  • For that ONE TIME that I get stuck in snow, jimtimkim, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:11:24
  • Seat-of-the-pants feel & dry handling..., sonique, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:52:58
  • I want AWD, MO, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:52:54
  • My big problem with AWD..., Caarma , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:43:33
    • Who cares about fuel economy?, NonStop , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:31:22
      • My master plan for Saab!, Draken, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 22:36:57
        • Yes that would be a great idea..., AdamB , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 23:15:42
      • You're right, Caarma , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:19:00
        • Agree with Carrma, Noel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:43:08
      • Unfortunetely you are right, to a certain extent..., No.9, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 13:14:06
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, Dan , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:42:41
    • 900 vs. 9-5, NonStop , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:20:24
  • Image vs. reality, Ari , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 10:21:30
    • Nice analysis. n/m, Camm , Thu, 10 Mar 2005 18:21:50
  • Solution for steep hills with FWD, Caarma , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:44:40
    • I'll keep that in mind..., Bob M, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:28:18
  • Re: awd wanted, t_mokes, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:39:12
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, Doug/NH, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:30:39
  • I "need" AWD, RF, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:19:04
    • Ground clearance is an issue..., Bob M, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:30:10
  • Give the customer what they want, Draken, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:18:18
    • You are absolutely right..., No.9, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:41:54
  • The sad thing is, Finch, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 08:57:41
  • A triumph of marketing, Brian_in_MA, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:40:36
    • It sure is!, Noel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:25:18 <-- Viewing This Message
  • The average driver on dry / snow won't notice, NickR, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:09:53
  • Thought about this last night while driving from, Noel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:07:07
  • Most people don't want "fun", Nathaniel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:33:53
  • city slickers, brandi, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:19:06
  • It's easier than dedicated snows, Greg Abbott , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:08:12
    • An AWD vehicle without winter tires is far worse, AdamB , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:39:19
      • Yes! Very true (+), Vlad, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:05:14
        • I second or third that ,,,,,, 91Aero.jr, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:06:28
        • Agreed, Chad, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:07:01
          • best of both worlds - AWD put snow tires, markP, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 13:39:12
            • 9-5 or 9-3 "Allroad" or "Cross Country"?, Draken, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:31:32
          • Very much agreed, Schu, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 08:47:48

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