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Never owned an AWD car before. Done lots of research, and the "consensus" seems to be that unless you do a lot of driving in snow or mountains, there is no reason to buy an AWD b/c they cost more to maintain. Is this correct? So basically if I buy an AWD and live in Florida, I am wasting my money?
FYI, trying to decide between Honda Accord (cheap to maintain for 10-15 years) and Subaru Outback (not as cheap due to AWD)
Accord benefits
Cheap to buy
Extremely reliable
Cheap to maintain
Never owned an AWD car before. Done lots of research, and the "consensus" seems to be that unless you do a lot of driving in snow or mountains, there is no reason to buy an AWD b/c they cost more to maintain. Is this correct? So basically if I buy an AWD and live in Florida, I am wasting my money?
FYI, trying to decide between Honda Accord (cheap to maintain for 10-15 years) and Subaru Outback (not as cheap due to AWD)
Accord benefits
Cheap to buy
Extremely reliable
Cheap to maintain
But if I don't need AWD, then I shouldn't even be looking at Outback. Correct?
this is easy, get whatever you want. the ford Taurus sho only comes in awd and i'm sure you can find them all over your state. its your money so drive what makes you happy.
Also AWD gives you less MPG and more moving parts mean more potential problems.
Yes. 2 colleagues had 300's. One was a RWD 5.7, the other was an AWD 5.7. The consensus between the 2 colleagues was that Mr. AWD was averaging 3/4 MPG less. Although it's difficult to make a direct comparison on insurance, it was also believed that the AWD was bringing an insurance surcharge as well.
Choosing between an all wheel drive, and a front wheel drive depends on the weather and road conditions where one is going to be driving. Here in Montana, you can hardly give a 2 wheel drive pickup as an example away. No one wants them. We have good clear roads most of the winter where I live, but then the next day, you will be darned glad you are driving a 4x4 with studded snow tires. This past week, I put studded snow tires on the 2013 Ford Explorer equipped with the computerized 4 wheel drive. It has to go to Denver about 4 times this winter, and I don't want to have to when I hit passes where snow chains are required to even be on the road (or 4x4 with studded snow tires being considered chained up under those conditions). I bought the first 4x4 Suburban back in '79 before a lot of you were even born, and have seen many times conditions without a 4x4 I would probably be one of those that slid off the road. I have seen going up some hills, almost a study filled in row of front wheel drive cars that had slid off of the highway.
Choosing between an all wheel drive, and a front wheel drive depends on the weather and road conditions where one is going to be driving. Here in Montana, you can hardly give a 2 wheel drive pickup as an example away. No one wants them. We have good clear roads most of the winter where I live, but then the next day, you will be darned glad you are driving a 4x4 with studded snow tires. This past week, I put studded snow tires on the 2013 Ford Explorer equipped with the computerized 4 wheel drive. It has to go to Denver about 4 times this winter, and I don't want to have to when I hit passes where snow chains are required to even be on the road (or 4x4 with studded snow tires being considered chained up under those conditions). I bought the first 4x4 Suburban back in '79 before a lot of you were even born, and have seen many times conditions without a 4x4 I would probably be one of those that slid off the road. I have seen going up some hills, almost a study filled in row of front wheel drive cars that had slid off of the highway.
OK guys I drove the new 2013 Accord LX (msrp 21k) and I drove the new 2013 Outback 2.5 (msrp 23k) and the Outback wins hands down in terms of handling. I was doing U-turns at 30 miles an hour with the sales guy in the car and it was dreamy. I don't know where you guys are getting that Accords are known for their handling. I have owned Accords for 20+ years and handling is NOT WHY! In fact as I was driving the Accord I could not believe they have done nothing to improve cornering or soften the ride. Then again clearly Honda doesn't feel the need to improve ride, handling, anything b/c they know people loyally buy the cars for reliability.
I am not saying the Outback is the best handling car on the planet. Far from it. I am saying that for the same price point the Outback beats the Accord on handling (AND interior, and space, and sound system and ride). Where it does NOT beat the Accord is on maintenance costs and MPG.
The CRV does NOT handle like the Outback. The Outback drives like a sedan. The CRV like an SUV.
Btw I drove the Subaru Legacy sedan and I did not like it. It was sluggish.
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