Front wheel
drive, rear wheel drive, or all wheel drive?
Most modern cars have front wheel
drive for a very good reason: front wheel drive is safer and more controllable for the
average driver. A front wheel drive vehicle has most of its weight on the front wheels,
usually between 60% and 70%, so that it tends to go straight, just like an arrow where the
weight is concentrated in the arrowhead. On slippery surfaces, if you give it too much gas
in a turn, the front wheels will spin, causing the car to skid straight ahead. Even an
inattentive driver will immediately realize there is a problem and let up on the gas,
quickly regaining control: whereas a car with rear wheel drive in the same situation might
spin the rear out causing the inattentive driver to lose control.
Front wheel drive is also great in the snow. Since
most of the weight is on the drive wheels, you get better traction, and if you do get
stuck with a spinning wheel in snow or mud, just turn the steering wheel a bit to allow the front tires
to get a new bite.
If front wheel drive is so good, then why do
any cars have rear wheel drive?
Actually, most luxury cars over $40,000.00 have rear wheel drive, as well as all
race cars and most performance-oriented sports cars. Rear wheel drive cars have their
weight distributed closer to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels, which is conducive
to a smoother, more stable ride. Because of the weight distribution, the rear tires and
springs can take on their fair share of the work load so the car can have higher cornering
limits and greater maximum stopping power. Braking is also superior on a rear wheel drive
car. With front wheel drive, under heavy braking such as in a panic stop, the weight
of the car shifts forward so that the front tires may do as much as 85 or 90 % of the work
to stop the car. The fact that front wheel drive cars stop well despite this handicap is a
testament to the engineering that goes into today's automobiles and tires.
If you need to pull a heavy trailer, you should also
be aware that rear wheel drive allows for a greater towing capacity than front wheel
drive.
What about all-wheel-drive (4-wheel-drive)
vehicles?
The best traction in adverse weather conditions can be had with all-wheel-drive
vehicles. All-wheel-drive passenger cars and station wagons, in fact, handle as well as,
if not better than many rear drive cars and are as safe and predictable during everyday
driving situations as front wheel drive cars. The only disadvantages are initial cost and
the fact that they tend to be expensive to repair. Some examples of all-wheel-drive
passenger cars are the Audi Quattro, Subaru Outback & Impreza & Jaguar
X-Type. Chrysler and Mazda, among others, also make all-wheel-drive
mini-vans.
Stick shift or
automatic?
Some people find that a car with a
standard shift and clutch is fun to drive and gives them a greater sense of control. They
also feel that the only way to get the best gas mileage is with a stick; however, most
people would rather take the bus than be without their automatics.
As far as I'm concerned, the choice between stick
and automatic is a matter of personal preference; however, there are a few things to
consider:
A standard shift car will usually have a lower
resale value. Great when you buy it, not so great when you sell it. It is also harder to
find a buyer for them.
While most modern automatic transmissions are
reliable, if they do break down they could be expensive to repair. On the other
hand, clutch replacement on a front-wheel-drive car with a stick
shift can also be costly. In addition; while a good automatic often lasts the life of the
car, a clutch rarely does so, especially if driven in a city and subjected to stop and go
driving.
All things being equal, a standard shift car
driven correctly will get slightly better gas mileage than an automatic. But if you are a
fast driver or are not methodical about shifting at the right time, then a 4-speed
automatic will be more efficient.
Many people who switch to a stick shift car for
the first time thinking they will like it, soon grow to regret that decision. So it might
be a good idea to rent or borrow a stick shift car for a week or so and see if you can
live with it.
Minivan, Full Size Van,
Sport Utility, Station Wagon, or Pickup Truck?
Minivan or station wagon
Minivans make ideal family cars. They usually seat seven and have plenty of room
left over for "stuff". They are easy to drive and park and they will fit in an
average garage. A station wagon might handle and ride better but not by much. Station
wagons are more aerodynamic, also not by much. Try them both out for size. If you have
never driven a minivan, rent one for a couple of days. Drive it on the highway, park it,
pull it into a shopping center parking lot. Notice how easy it is to see over other cars
to spot a parking place? When you're finished shopping, you will find it faster because
you can spot it over other cars.
Minivans come in front wheel drive, rear wheel drive
and all-wheel-drive. Unless you plan to tow a heavy trailer, you should opt for a front
wheel drive model as they have the best utilization of available space.
Full sized vans
If you need room for more than seven people, then your only option is a full size
van. They are available with seating for as many as fifteen people. Today's vans ride and
handle well and are fairly quiet and comfortable. They are only available in rear wheel
drive and can be equipped with massive towing capability whereas a front wheel drive
minivan is very limited in towing capacity. On the down side, since they are classified as
trucks, they do not have to meet the more stringent passenger car safety standards.
Full size vans are generally equipped with large V8
engines that are quite thirsty.
Sport-utility vehicles
Although sport-utility vehicles have many advantages, they also have a few
glaring disadvantages. Let's start with the disadvantages so you can skip the rest if I
mention something you're not willing to live with.
1. They are heavier and have higher gearing;
therefore, they burn more gas.
2. They have a higher center of gravity so they do not handle as well and are more prone
to rollover.
3. They are usually noisier and harder riding than a car or a Minivan although they are
getting more civilized.
4. As a rule they have less interior space than a Minivan.
5. They have higher ground clearance and are more difficult for some people to climb into.
6. Some people I know regretted their choice after living with the truck-like ride and
increased road noise.
Still with me? Sport utility vehicles are the
fastest growing segment of the automotive industry with manufacturers scrambling to open
more factories to build them. The latest trend is for luxury sport-ute's, with models
available now or soon to be announced from Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lincoln,
Buick and Cadillac among others.
The obvious advantages of these vehicles would be
with off-road use but 90% of them never leave the road and are used for the same purposes
as a sedan or a minivan. If that's you, then look for a vehicle that was
designed from the ground up as a passenger vehicle and not based on a truck
platform. Some examples are: Lexus RX300, Mercedes Benz M-class and the
Toyota RAV-4.
So, if you still think a sports utility vehicle is
for you and you've talked to people who own them, and you've read the list above, then go
for it. They are sharp, aren't they?
Pickup Trucks as family cars?
A basic pickup truck can cost less than most inexpensive cars, so it's one way
for a person to be able to own a new vehicle who otherwise would not have been able to
afford one. However, a pickup truck does not make a good car. It is very light in the rear
without a load and, therefore, will not handle or stop well especially in adverse weather
conditions. It is also exempt from the federal safety requirements that passenger cars
must meet.
Pickup trucks are considered commercial vehicles in
some states such as New York and are not allowed on parkways without a cover over the bed.
In fact, without a cover, the tailgate acts like a big air brake on the highway which
sabotages gas mileage. This is why owners often replace the tailgate with a net. Tailgates
are also easily stolen...
Large car or small
car?
Although all cars must meet federal
standards for crash worthiness, large cars are usually safer than small cars in a crash,
sometimes much safer. If a large car collides with a small car there is often no contest.
Large cars offer comfort and roominess while smaller
cars tend to be easier to park and more nimble. Small cars are typically more fuel
efficient, but with today's computerized fuel-injected engines, a full-size sedan may be
more efficient than you might expect. Check the manufacturer's fuel mileage ratings.
What options should I
look for?
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)? Absolutely! With normal brakes, if
you slam your foot down on the brake pedal, the wheels will lock causing you to skid. When
the wheels are skidding, you have absolutely no steering control and the car will take
longer to stop than it should. An extended panic stop can also produce a
"flat spot" on your tires causing them to thump as you
drive. Anti-lock brakes sense when a wheel is locked and
immediately begin to "pump" the brakes at the rate of ten or more times a second,
much faster than you can do it with your foot. This allows you to retain steering control
while the vehicle stops in the shortest possible time. This is especially important on
slippery road surfaces where standing on the brakes can cause loss of control and spinout.
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Traction Control System (TCS)? This feature is more
important on rear-wheel drive cars. Traction control uses the sensors
that are part of the Anti-lock brake system to detect when one of the drive
wheels looses traction. When this happens, the brakes are pulsed to stop
the wheel from spinning. In some more sophisticated systems, engine
power is also reduced. On a rear-wheel drive car, if you step on the gas
too hard on a slippery surface, you could easily lose control and spin out.
On a front-wheel drive car, if you step on the gas too hard and spin the tires
while going around a curve, you will tend to go straight instead of where your
wheels are pointing. While this is not as bad as spinning out, it is
still an undesirable condition which is to be avoided. If at all
possible, find a car with traction control. The first time you find
yourself losing traction, you will be glad you did.
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC)? This is a feature
that is gaining in popularity and finding its way on less expensive cars each
year. Stability control also uses the anti-lock brake sensors plus an
inertia sensor to help keep you from losing control, especially on slippery
surfaces. It works by monitoring your speed, the position of the
steering wheel and the G-forces that the car is generating to determine
whether you are sliding, or following your intended course. If the
computer determines that you are going too fast around a corner and have begun
to lose control, it will immediately intervene by applying one or more brakes
and reducing engine power until you are back on your intended course.
For instance, if your rear end begins to spin out, the outside front brake
will apply to coax you back on your intended course and cancel the spin.
It does this so quickly, that you may never realize that you began to skid
out. This system is especially important on SUVs which are often
not as stable as cars. On some SUV's, there is an added sensor to detect
impending roll-overs and step in to help prevent that condition.
Stability control is known by several trade names such as StabiliTrak (GM),
AdvanceTrac (Ford), Vehicle Stability Control (Toyota & Lexus), Electronic
Stability Program (Mercedes Benz) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (Nissan &
Infiniti)
Air bags? We hope that we will never need them and
they're no substitute for seat belts but they do save lives. They are standard equipment
on all new cars now. Some new cars even have the new side air bags. If you have a
rear facing child seat, NEVER place it on a seat with an air bag. In fact,
wherever possible, child seats should always be placed in the rear seat.
Security system? A vehicle is stolen every 20 seconds
in the US, so these systems are a necessary fact of life today. Alarm systems can save
you money on your insurance premiums. Try to get one with an ignition cut-off so if the
alarm is triggered, the vehicle will not be able to start. See if your dealer has Lojack
available. This system sends out a silent signal alerting police who monitor for them.
When you realize your car is stolen, you call the police to report the theft. They
will then send a signal to your car activating Lojack. The police can then triangulate on
the signal your car is emitting to find it, and possibly the thief, soon after it was
stolen.
Remote controlled outside mirrors? Low priced cars
often include only manually adjustable outside mirrors with remote
controlled mirrors available only in deluxe option packs. Why are they
important? The first time that you go through a car wash and watch the
attendant wipe the mirrors dry thereby knocking them out of adjustment
(especially the right side) you will understand. You sit behind the
wheel and notice that it is out of adjustment. So you get out, walk
around to the other side and guess at the best position, get back in the car
and find that it is not right. Get out and adjust it again, get back
in and say to yourself "good enough". The right side mirror
is an important safety device and should always be kept properly adjusted.
Remote mirrors are an inexpensive and important convenience you should not
be without
Power accessories? Power windows, power seats and power
door locks add a convenience and safety to a car and, once you have a car with them, you wouldn't
want to do without them. They also increase the resale value of a car.
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