<VV> Novas and Vairs

Fri Apr 13 03:57:49 EDT 2007

I think the reason for FWD's popularity is that it is not as "twitchy" (i.e. 
"non-responsive") as FE/RWD (and especially RE/RWD).

I think FWD's understeer is preferred by less skilled drivers (not saying 
anything negative about skilled drivers) and oversteer is feared by the 
uninitiated.

Most people do not "enjoy" driving, the do it to get from point A to point B 
with the least effort.  "Responsive" car are fun, but more work than most 
people can handle.

Just me, maybe, and I'm sure there's more to it than just this...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "airvair" <airvair at richnet.net>
To: <mhicks130 at cox.net>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 10:54 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Novas and Vairs

> Well, I learned on rear drive. Had a Corvir as my only transportation
> for most of 15 years. I also found out that front drive is not very
> forgiving when it comes to slipper pavement. Just the engine torque
> alone is sometimes enough to make it break loose. And when you do break
> the drive wheels loose, it's going to slide off wherever it wants. With
> rear drive, you will still have some semblence of steering control,
> which may make the difference between hitting a bridge abuttment or
> missing it. I say no thank you to FWD. To each his own.....
>
> -Mark
>
> mhicks130 at cox.net wrote:
>>
>> >------------------------------
>>  <SNIP>
>> Had the "conventional" cars been REAR
>> engine/FRONT drive, the public would KNOW just how bad an idea front
>> drive really is.
>>  <snip>
>> Give me a Corvair any day!
>>
>> -Mark C
>>  >------------------------------
>>
>> I don't think front wheel drive is a bad idea at all - at least not front 
>> engine/front wheel drive.  It's not optimal for handling but it is VERY 
>> forgiving.  I learned to drive in a FWD VW Rabbit and I got that thing 
>> more than sideways and it always came right back.  Even if you braked in 
>> the turn, it would correct itself when you let it.  The understeer could 
>> bite you if you came in too hot into a curve because you probably never 
>> going to get the car to go around but you could just keep turning the 
>> wheel without worrying about the back end coming around to the front. 
>> Corvairs are great and more fun to drive than my Rabbit but once you 
>> break the rear end loose you've got very little time to fix your problem, 
>> on FWD you've got all day.   AND it puts the engine over the driving 
>> wheels so you've got that.  You run the risk of maxing out the traction 
>> of the front tires with turning, braking and accelerating all going 
>> through them but I never had that problem with the Rabbit an
> d its
>> skinny 155-70-13 tires.  So there you go.
>>
>> Having said all that, I'm sure the main reason front engine/FWD came 
>> about was strictly packaging - especially for small cars.
>>
>
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