[D$]

In case you weren't aware, all wheel drive is a good thing. I live in Milwaukee where it is snowing quite a bit this morning. People in Wisconsin don't seem to notice snow and therefore don't change their driving habits when snow is present.

On one of our freeways (I-43) this morning some guy in a truck did a very foolish lane change in front of me that caused him to lose control and spin out such that he came to a complete stop and was blocking two lanes completely. I was far enough back to react but the roads were so bad I did a 270 and travelled sideways for a while before coasting into a shallow ditch.

At least partially because of AWD I was able to keep enough control to have a safe crash landing, and calmly drive my car out of the ditch and get to Sommer's in Mequon to have the car checked out. Maybe I'll stick with AWD cars instead of considering M3, G35, etc...

 

[MKIVSupra]

WRX STi2

My main reason for not really considering any other vehicle other than an STi. Also why I always argue that a lot of the cars people try to compare the STi to, can't compare.

 

[cotmfk]

AWD is good, and you should have no problems getting moving in the snow with AWD. But, even if you have AWD, you still have the same problems as anyone else when it comes to stopping. That goes for SUVs too!

 

[ha-evolution]

Don't forget there the OZ edition Lancer, now that's a spiffy package. Oh yeah, it has the same 120 HP as the other non-Evo Lancers. :wink:

I like the Evo 8 looks, especially now that they are actually out and I could be driving one now. I thought I was getting sick of yellow until I saw the Yellow Evolution 8. The taillights are stupid but fit in well with Mitsubishi's Fast & Furious target market.

The STi is looks stunning on the other hand. I couldn't believe how much better it looks in person when I saw it at the Chicago Auto Show.

 

[cotmfk]

I have yet to see the new STi in person. My time will come!!

 

[pgetchell]

all i can say is that i can't imagine how scary this record-snow New England winter would have been had I not traded in my '95 ///M3 for the WRX. Thanks to my trusty Scooby I have 24 days on the slopes this winter, and NEVER had to cancel for the weather!

i am sold on AWD and Snow tires.

 

[Goose]

Their is one problem with AWD and snow, as mentioned before, they are great for taking off but aren't any better stopping... I Winnipeg canada, where I'm from, every business women owns an SUV, I guess they are under the impression that they can drive as fast as they want... SUV's AWD cause more rear enders then any other cars.... FALSE SENSE OF SECURETY!!!!!!!!! Nothing beats subie AWD for control, it sure as hell doesn't help with stopping! :roll:

When you have a sudden relationship with the ditch AWD make the encounter a great deal shorter!! :lol:

 

[CloNeGTS]

I couldn't have said it any better! People who get all big and bad about their 4WDs in the snow go a little overboard. Yes, you can get around, but don't be an idiot unless you are out in the middle of no where and you'll do damage to no one but yourself.

 

[crazytrain]

At least partially because of AWD I was able to keep enough control to have a safe crash landing, and calmly drive my car out of the ditch and get to Sommer's in Mequon to have the car checked out. Maybe I'll stick with AWD cars instead of considering M3, G35, etc...

I can vouch for that! Although I have never driven a Subaru (yet ), I have owned a few 4WD and AWD SUVs. It's true, it doesn't help you stop any faster, but it will help you out of the ditch you find yourself in.

I will also say that IMHO, a good AWD system beats the heck out of most 4WD.

 

[chawklit]

What exactly is the difference between AWD and 4WD? Is it that awd can very the torque distrubution?(and that 4wd is fixed?)

 

[CloNeGTS]

Ya know, I'm not sure. I always figured AWD was used more for car-type vehicles that use the grip for performance and safety. And then I always call a vehicle 4WD if it could be used for off-roading (trucks, SUVs).

I dunno if there is a 'Webster's" diff between the two or not.

 

[VV]

I couldn't have said it any better! People who get all big and bad about their 4WDs in the snow go a little overboard.

You know, I usually think that huge monster trucks are somewhere between a joke and a shame. But we have gotten a little snow in Denver this week (5 feet on the grass, 4 in the road), and a group of monster truck guys that live in our neighborhood have been spending the past two days plowing our area, and helping people out of ditches. So I decided that from now on I am going to respect everyone's decision, even if I strongly disapprove. Life is too short for hate.

 

[chawklit]

I couldn't have said it any better! People who get all big and bad about their 4WDs in the snow go a little overboard.

You know, I usually think that huge monster trucks are somewhere between a joke and a shame. But we have gotten a little snow in Denver this week (5 feet on the grass, 4 in the road), and a group of monster truck guys that live in our neighborhood have been spending the past two days plowing our area, and helping people out of ditches. So I decided that from now on I am going to respect everyone's decision, even if I strongly disapprove. Life is too short for hate.

I declare this the 'Epiphany of the Day' folks!

 

[BHODGES3]

Ahh! But do they have a gun rack in their truck?! We rarely get snow in Mississippi so my hate knows no bounds.

 

[CloNeGTS]

HAHAHAHA

 

[Sti604]

AWD is good, definitely...!
I remember something about AWD being practical for street or best for track... something of that sort

 

[stylelab]

AWD : All wheel drive all the time.

4WD : Rear wheel drive with possibility of engaging 4wheel drive. Geared towards off-roaders like trucks, jeeps.

I think that is the difference.

 

[CloNeGTS]

Only prob with that def is most systems that can be called either AWD or 4WD aren't driving all 4 wheels most of the time.

Volvo S60 - called "AWD" - rear wheels drive most of the time, only enable front wheels if slip detected in the rear. Automatic system.

 

[stylelab]

You're right but I was thinking that in AWD even if all 4 wheels are not supplying power at the same time, the redistribution in case of loss of traction is done automatically.

But in the 4WD, the distribution is done manually. The driver decides to engage 4WD.

What do you think?

 

[Goose]

Canadian weight & other info

Ahh! But do they have a gun rack in their truck?! We rarely get snow in Mississippi so my hate knows no bounds.

Well, I can tell ya, in Canada they have the rack, but it's illegal to have the gun... hahahha .... they still have the rack!?!?!?!? They are open game for my rath! I know it will be time to shoot myself when I see a gun rack in the back of the new subie hybrid!