• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Thoughts on AWD cars?

racerXgirl said:
Errrr what does that mean exactly?
Click to expand...

It means that instead of a driveshaft (from a transfer case) providing power to the rear diff/wheels, electric motors will provide the power.

Call me old school, but that doesn't sound very reliable to me.
 
auntiebling said:
it means if you're the second owner, you'd better have deep fucking pockets to repari any driveline issues
Click to expand...

Also can mean (depending on years later) Pockets that have to pay a price that is higher than the value of the car...for the battery that supplies those motors, for this job.
 
Mr. White said:
It means that instead of a driveshaft (from a transfer case) providing power to the rear diff/wheels, electric motors will provide the power.

Call me old school, but that doesn't sound very reliable to me.
Click to expand...

Locomotives have been using electric motors to move millions of tons for decades.
 
It isn't just Acura looking at the whole rear axle electric motor deal...

Volvo apparently did the same thing with their "P1800 Successor" concept coupe that was revealed last month, which is supposed to signal a new direction for the company... I suspect we'll see hybrid AWD drivetrains in a variety of cars in the coming future. From an efficiency standpoint, with respect to drivetrain losses, it's actually a pretty darn good idea.

Styled after the classic P1800, the Volvo concept was similar to the new Porsche and BMW in that it was equipped with a high-performance hybrid drivetrain. But Volvo took a different route from there, giving the sleek coupe a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor at the rear axle. All in, the combo is good for 400 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque.
Click to expand...

Volvo-Concept-Coupe-The-Next-Generation-P1800-2-863x576.jpg
 
ABC said:
I totally disagree with that. I owned an evo and im 21 and my insurance was around 150 a month for full coverage
Click to expand...

....dude that's fucking high....I pay like 900/year.
 
auntiebling said:
it means if you're the second owner, you'd better have deep fucking pockets to repari any driveline issues
Click to expand...

The SH-AWD system has been one of the most reliable systems I've ever seen. Even the VTM-4 system that preceded it was amazingly reliable.
 
So It's been asked ten times: Why does the OP need an AWD?

A FWD with a good traction control system can keep you out of snow banks almost as well as AWD.

I was looking at a used VW R32 vs a New '14 Jetta TDI- I decided I'd rather have the 42- 50 MPG option over AWD, plus it will make the Tahoe trips cheaper. Plus my insurance went down from my old GTI- which was a plus.
 
Direct drive on one axle and electric on the other actually sounds like a really good solution, if it's implemented well.
 
}Dragon{ said:
So It's been asked ten times: Why does the OP need an AWD?

A FWD with a good traction control system can keep you out of snow banks almost as well as AWD.

I was looking at a used VW R32 vs a New '14 Jetta TDI- I decided I'd rather have the 42- 50 MPG option over AWD, plus it will make the Tahoe trips cheaper. Plus my insurance went down from my old GTI- which was a plus.
Click to expand...

I drove a '61 Chrysler in New England winters for several years. Overpowered, all the weight in the front, one wheel drive.

AWD was fun in the snow when I had a car that I would slide around in it, but as far as NEED goes, I've yet to come across it.
 
MrIncredible said:
I drove a '61 Chrysler in New England winters for several years. Overpowered, all the weight in the front, one wheel drive.

AWD was fun in the snow when I had a car that I would slide around in it, but as far as NEED goes, I've yet to come across it.
Click to expand...

I was in 4WD during a snow storm (4Low) and managed at slow speed to drift into a bank. As much as used my mad skills to stop the wheels from spinning- I got stuck. The ice is what got me.
 
I never had AWD during 13 years of driving in Michigan and Colorado, so I certainly don't see a big need for it here in sunny, spoiled California.

And what's funny is, when it downpours here (like 2 times a year), I routinely blow away chicken-shit cagers with my motorcycle. Pussy Californians. :laughing
 
Last edited:
auntiebling said:
i believe you, but that doesn't mean they're cheap to fix out of pocket!
Click to expand...

Fix what? We won't open those differentials up at the dealer. Blow up one of those rear ends and you're out $2-3k for a complete assembly.

As for the new electric one....I have no clue what that'd cost. But I'd venture a guess around high four figures.
 
She doesn't have a 20% grade gravel driveway, so maybe she doesn't NEED AWD.:twofinger

You don't NEED ABS, or TC but these things are sometimes very helpful.
 
}Dragon{ said:
I was in 4WD during a snow storm (4Low) and managed at slow speed to drift into a bank. As much as used my mad skills to stop the wheels from spinning- I got stuck. The ice is what got me.
Click to expand...

was that in the showroom or after you left the lot..? :twofinger
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top