If you only had ONE. (poll ahead)

derekshannon wrote:

noisycricket wrote:

derekshannon wrote: 1) Rear-Wheel-Drive but automatic transmission. -OR- 2) Front-Wheel-Drive but manual transmission. Does the ability to oversteer outweigh the control of a manual or vice versa?

You're assuming two things, all three of which are incorrect.

Sure they are. And be sure to tell me how ok? If you want to ruin a good dicussion by getting needlessly technical, be my guest.

Absolutely! :)

The main assumptions are that automatics are not controllable (they can be), front wheel drives do not oversteer (oh yes they can), and that oversteer is necessarily a good thing (only in a front wheel drive car)

So my unqualified answer to the question is "Mu!"

That's getting a bit pedantic, though, really.

Taking the question as it was intended, I'd opt for FWD/manual. If we're choosing cars, I'd like a Lancia Fulvia or a Saab 95/96.

ignorant said: auto transmissions are for invalids. or those physically unable to drive a manual.

I will never own another autotragic again. There are no shortage of fun FWD cars out there...

<---- My choice

derekshannon wrote: In reply to noisycricket: Seriously? You just made this much more difficult that it needed to be. Like I said, let's not make this too technical ok? There will be exceptions to every automotive rule, we get it.

Just taking the question the way it was worded.

Personally I want an automatic FWD, assuming that a sequential shift trans counts as an "automatic". (No H gate, clutch not necessary) Power-on oversteer kills the ability to leave the line, and missing shifts sucks...

FWD/man. All of MY cars have been 2L I4/5spd fwd. And I have never driven RWD/ auto

Before kids, my only-one-car-choice would have been a 91~95 MR2 Turbo. I could fit a tent, two camping chairs, clothes, a cooler and my chainsaw in the trunk and ice down some beers in the frunk (there's even a convenient drain plug up there.) Mid-engine RWD manual.

There was actually enough room that I could haul all my stuff, four wheels/tires, jack/tools and my wife to autox events.

There was no acceptable place to put a car seat, though. So I got a WRX...which I'm not liking all that much in comparison.

At the end of the day, I would rather have a dedicated sports car and a bland utilitarian commuter. Unless parking it at a premium, this is the only way to go. I tried the compromise...not liking it.

Man those boring automatics. They are just no fun! Because you can't actually do the shifting it's just not sporty! I mean sure, you can select the gear in most of them, but that's not the same as using your feet! And RWD! Ugh! Those don't handle! Plus they're soooo stogy and old and boring and soulless! I mean who in their right mind would want a RWD/auto when FWD/manuals can be had?

rwd 4 life!

Hal wrote: <---- My choice

My wifes foc_us is not very fun to drive. Yes its a 5 speed, that only redeeming part of that car. Its a 06 or 07? I realy pay atention to it.

Volksroddin wrote:

Hal wrote: <---- My choice

My wifes foc_us is not very fun to drive. Yes its a 5 speed, that only redeeming part of that car. Its a 06 or 07? I realy pay atention to it.

Well if you fixed your wife's up like mine you might have a different opinion

My Focus

914Driver wrote: FWD Stick Hatch. If you live in an area with snow etc., FWD is wicked better than RWD.

Better, but not more fun.

I would take a CRX with a 5 speed over an MR2 with a 4-speed auto.

Yea, have to be FWD with a 5-speed. Autos are just such crap haha, so boring.

P71 wrote: Man those boring automatics. They are just no fun! Because you can't actually do the shifting it's just not sporty! I mean sure, you can select the gear in most of them, but that's not the same as using your feet! And RWD! Ugh! Those don't handle! Plus they're soooo stogy and old and boring and soulless! I mean who in their right mind would want a RWD/auto when FWD/manuals can be had?

i've heard that argument for "wrong wheel drive". the fact is, in a manual you have more control over the way the car moves. so your hilarious sarcasm is lost on me. rwd does not make a crappy car better. the only thing that comes to mind that i could do the rwd/auto with is a buick t type. even then, i could think of many more fwd cars that can't turn that i'd rather have. my choice would be a 96 passat wagon,2.9 vr6. lots of room, power, upright seating position, its all a fit for me. but diff'rnt strokes and all that right

If I could only have one car it would be a 88-91 civc hatch with five speed. There is my answer. Practical and sporty...

RWD, automatic *(with rebuilt manual valve body ) and some kind of shifter that lets me drive it like a manual?

Most modern auto's can be driven like manuals. I can select any gear I want and the trans will hold it or I can select it to shift 1-2 and then 3-4 at the redline or nowadays at the exact RPM I want (using my Superchips Tuner).

I love manuals (the P71 is my first real auto and I have a 5-Speed for my AMC 401 and the RX-7 is a 5-Speed) but there are exceptions to every rule.

yeah, but column shifters are awkward...

Well, I traded a RWD manual for a FWD manual, and then picked up another FWD manual as a project car, so I think my answer is pretty obvious.

it REALLY depends which FWD and which RWD.

I would take an Integra Type R over a Cadillac DeVille any day of the week, but similarly, I would take my Crown Victoria over a manual Cavalier on those same days of the week.

in most situations, I prefer RWD Auto, but given a MK1 GTi, or that ITR, or even a Civic Si...I would choose those...

I understand that most of the really cool cars are RWD, but I've never understood the hate of FWD.

I love driving and competing in almost anything. I think it is a real thrill driving a FWD near the limit trying to hang on, knowing that the car will come around if you can't stay in it.

FWD manual FTW! I'd love to have a go at a FWD car!

I don't hate FWD at all, I love the way it handles in rally ^_^

But . . .

Black Stig wrote: I don't hate FWD at all, I love the way it handles in rally ^_^ But . . .

That's what I call a mistake. ;)