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Old 02-18-2016, 11:16 AM
 
104 posts, read 121,489 times
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I have driven Subaru's for the last 20 plus years and it's time to replace my Outback. Since I no longer live in snow country, my question is will I miss the handling of the AWD if I switch to a FWD car?
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:29 PM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX USA
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No
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:35 PM
 
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Going from an outback to a FWD car? Likely no.

Going from a WRX STI to a Camry....yes.
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:44 PM
 
Location: Alaska
3,146 posts, read 4,055,706 times
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Yes, I think so.

I also have an Outback and I could feel the difference when I rented a FWD vehicle while visiting my in-laws in southern IL just before Christmas. The weather was pretty mild so snow and ice were not factors but the FWD vehicle was definitely more squirrelly in handling on sweeping curves, highway driving, making turns and especially, driving on wet roads.

After owning my Outback and another AWD vehicle for 9 years, I don't want to go back to driving anything that isn't AWD.
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:47 PM
 
Location: Sierra Nevada Land, CA
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I currently drive a 2012 Forester. 14 years ago I went from a five year old Accord to a Legacy and noticed a difference in handling. I was curious whether it was just the Legacy was a better handling car or was it the AWD vs 2WD.

A few years later I was driving a work truck-a Chevy Sonoma (I think) and I decided to test handling 2WD vs 4WD. Drove the same stretch of mountain road in both settings and the truck handled noticeably better in 4WD. So personally, I will never own a 2WD car again. But that is just me.

Nothing beats a 15 minute test drive...
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:57 PM
 
Location: San Jose, CA
7,688 posts, read 29,052,085 times
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Most AWD does not drive all wheels all the time. In normal driving, the front wheels are driven only. However, Subaru has what is called a permanent AWD, which you can feel in everyday driving. The sensation of the front wheels dragging the rest of the car along in a FWD car is noticeable if you are coming from a Subaru or a rear-drive car.


Audi is another manufacturer that has outstanding AWD technology in its Quattro line, so don't feel like you need to be stuck with Subaru if that's not what you want.
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:59 PM
 
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Equal car yeah you'll notice a difference. But going from an SUV to a smaller car...unless the car's suspension setup is just a mess the car should outhandle it.
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Old 02-18-2016, 01:05 PM
 
Location: Homeless
17,720 posts, read 13,418,890 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vttosta View Post
I have driven Subaru's for the last 20 plus years and it's time to replace my Outback. Since I no longer live in snow country, my question is will I miss the handling of the AWD if I switch to a FWD car?


We live in flat lander country for the moment & even though we don't live in the mountains our Subie is too reliable to get rid of. Even though we don't need it down here we won't get rid of it. Ever.
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Old 02-18-2016, 03:04 PM
 
Location: Sierra Nevada Land, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notnamed View Post
Equal car yeah you'll notice a difference. But going from an SUV to a smaller car...unless the car's suspension setup is just a mess the car should outhandle it.
Depends on the year. Pre 2010 Outbacks were more like raised Legacy station wagons. Were not considered SUVs.
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Old 02-18-2016, 03:19 PM
 
Location: Niceville, FL
13,258 posts, read 22,657,287 times
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How much driving do you do now in rainy conditions or in unpaved areas? Got to say I love my Outback when we get Florida monsoon conditions, even compared to a FWD/RWD vehicle with excellent tires.
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