AWD Verses FWD?

[jmf2]

My wife and I are wondering if all wheel drive really helps. She wants it, i'm not so sold on the idea. We've wondered if it might have helped our son from flipping our former vibe when he hit some gravel on the shoulder of the road and started sliding out. Any thoughts or stories would be appreciated. Now if we could just decide on a color!

[Mike-NC]

I remember those pics! Wow, what a wreck. Glad there were no injuries.About the AWD, I really don't think the AWD would help in a sliding situation, it is my opinion that the AWD my help prevent sliding in some instances. (Though not likely in your wreck at speed.)I think the AWD can help prevent you from losing traction in the first place, but once its gone so is most of the benefit of AWD.(Please don't blast me for my opinion, feel free to express yours! )AWD has its advantages for me in NC due to the fact that when we get snow/sleet it is usually a small amount (1-2-3-4 inches) and the county only has 3-4 scrapers that don't seem to make it to my area until days and days have passed. Plus I have a 32 mile commute to be at work at 7am, long before most of the other traffic gets started during bad weather. The AWD helps me get to the interstate which does get significant attention during bad weather. I also use the AWD at work for some very minor off-road travelling. (Most effective when wet/muddy).It just comes down to a cost vs. advantage equation that only you can decide! Increased MSRP and slightly less MPG are the cost factors. Advantages will vary from person to person.Hope this helps! Good luck shopping.

[Mike-NC]

BTW, Using Pontic.com for reference, the price premium for AWD is $1950.AWD-no options--$20465Base FWD w/ABS and ATX--$18515These numbers are for a 2004 model.

[mojo_jojo]

Up here in snow country, we average somewhere around 200 inches of snow every winter. We went with the AWD for that obvious reason. I'm sorry that I can't give you a review on the Vibe as we just got it in May '04. Our previous vehicle to the Vibe was a 2002 Buick Rendezvous that had a very similar AWD set-up as the Vibe has. I realize that they are two completely different vehicles, but the Buick was super in snow conditions. Definetly helped the traction in slippery conditions. I am hopeful that the Vibe will perform similarly.

[joatmon]

There was some AWD vs FWD discussion at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6486

[ToolGuy]

Here in Mich FWD with a Vibe is just fine. Besides, the extra HP in the FWD is better to have then a little less in the AWD. Besides that I had a 4X4 Blazer and I could count on one hand how many times I needed the 4X4. AWD would not have helped in a sliding situation and AWD stops going forward just like any other FWD Vibe does. AWD might give someone too much confidence in the bad weather to drive even faster.

[AKLGT]

i live in an area that gets a lot of snow in the winter. not only snow, but ice. i would suggest, depending on how much snow and ice you get, FWD and traction control is more than sufficient with the RIGHT tires! i will say that tires will make more of a difference than the AWD/FWD issue. w/ the exception of one ditch dive last winter (and due to my own screw up) I had very little problems. only in areas where there was a foot of snow did i have any issues getting stuck. hope that helps you.

[Mavrik]

I have had no issues with fwd vs awd but like my fwd just fine in all sorts of weather. I'll be gettinga good set of snows on there to.

[jmf2]

Thanks, everyone! This helped me convince my wife we really didn't need AWD. I've never been keen on it anyway. So tomorrow we're ordering a base fusion with power group, A/T, monotone, and maybe moon and tunes, which we didn't get in our first vibe.Hope it does'nt take two months to get!

[Mavrik]

Fusion eh? Thats the best IMO.

[MoonDogg]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Fusion eh? Thats the best IMO.Yeap Fusion is the way to go

[AKLGT]

yep i love that color! too bad they didn't have it available when i got mine. oh well. but the more i have silver, the more i realize i'm glad i have it since i tend to drive a little over the speed limit. and if it were fusion, i'd be on the side of the road getting tickets left and right!

[drunkenmaxx]

and, i cant preach the fact enough that you can do a real donut in an awd!it's great also after it's been raining and someone in a faster car wants to race. go for it, you'll have them spanked for a good distance!however, if you are looking for speed and or gas mileage, don't get the awd.

[fancynewwheels]

A lot of people think that AWD gives them a license to drive "normally" in bad weather. It dosen't help that much. Helps most to get the vehicle going from a stop. Had a guy tell me last year that he drove 130km on icey roads because he had a 4x4. Well, a 4x4 wont' stop any faster than a 2wd. Actually, the extra weight would make it a slower stop... Thats my $0.02.... Gotta love these cars!