I will I die in a rear wheel drive?

[b13thy]

I just bought a MGTF. Its mid engined (i think) and rear wheel drive. I've only ever driven FWD and when i test drove the MG i noticed slight differences but overall i coped admirably.

However.. i'm aware they can be twitchy in wet/icy/anything but perfect conditions and am wondering if there is any advice u can give me so i don't wrap myself round a lamppost.

[furrycheeky]

If you drive an MGF normally in the wet you will have little problem. If you drive with a heavy right foot in the wet expect fun and games.

[tufty7]

Most bmw's mercs and the likes are still good old fashioned RWD, The eurocars are mostly FWD as the engine, driveshafts etc are easier to put in as a unit at the factory and is ideal for everday use, RWD is king no doubt .... powerslides on a track is fun ........

[Toureman]

Four wheel drive is much better.

More traction in snow, more traction when accelarating, more stable in the wet.

The MGF does not have enough power to cause oversteer unless you are a stupid driver.

If you act stupid when cornering with front wheel drive it will understeer and could cause you to hit the same lampost head on.

[Loosehead]

welcome to your first proper car. Until around the time of the mini, most cars where RWD. The FWD is worse in every respect but of course it's cheaper to produce and to be fair makes little difference to your bog standard run around. You don't really have the power in an MGF but RWD is awesome fun when you get the knack of hanging the ar5e out! They say for example your granny can doughnut the Honda S2000 it's so easy! In wet conditions you may notice oversteer on bends but just turn in slightly and you can drift it round.

[Panic Button]

More traction in the snow Toureman?

If it snows give me front wheel drive any day!
The RWD cars are all over the place in snow.

[markja]

P.B. what's tourmans first sentence?

[Toureman]

Yes PB, as you know so little about driving I will explain.

In a front wheel drive vehicle when you accelarate the weight is transferred to the rear of the vehicle so you loose traction and some steering control.

In a rear wheel drive more weight is transferred to the rear driving wheels giving more traction.

Of course as you admit you accelarate to hard causing the rear wheels to loose grip thats why you are all over the place in snow.

[Disco Fever]

Well done Loosehead, my van is RWD and so is my trusty old Sierra, I love wet roundabouts....

[Panic Button]

markja is correct, I misread Toureman's answer, and thought it said rear wheel drive is much better.

However I think he misread mine when he thinks I said I am all over the place in snow due to accelerating too hard.

In actual fact I don't think I have ever driven a rear wheel drive car in snow.
FWD yes, and I found the drive being at the front gave good control.

However I remember dreadful snow a few years ago and clearly remember it was the rear wheel drive cars having the bigger problems.

[Brooksy]

Mid-engined cars were always supposed to be closest to achieving the Holy Grail of 50/50 front to rear weight distribution, thus avoiding nose heaviness or tail wagginess.

[PAUL55]

Opinions differ, but I have always prefered rear wheal drive, I'm sure all BMWs are still rear wheal drive and all the best sportscars are mid engine/rear wheal drive. I think you can feel the response of the car more with RWD therefore you nead a lot more experiance to be good at driving RWD than FWD, and that obviously makes it safer for an inexperianced driver to drive Front whel drive. The RAC Rally used to be much more enjoyable in the days of the MK 2 Escorts an such.