AWD vs. RWD

[Capital AL]

I am looking to purchase a Stinger GT2 in the next several months with the 19 inches wheels and can't decide if I should spend the extra $2,200 for AWD. I live outside of Chicago and we do get a decent amount of snow here. Regardless of what I choose, either AWD or RWD I will definitely be getting winter tires. I have seen lots of information online saying that RWD with a good set of winter tires will do very well in the snow. I would also appreciate any information with other factors outside of just winter driving, why I should choose AWD or RWD over one another.

 

[Ruturaj]

RWD for handling (AWD to not get stuck). Both stingers I drove over long time were AWD, but as per one reviewer who tried both felt RWD handled better.

I bought AWD because it comes with (brake based) torque vectoring and felt like safer bet. One big influence was alex on autos advice (to get AWD to get a complete package). So far I have been able to get back end out when I give it gas in sport mode.

 

[westcoastGT]

besides the snow / safety issue , theres a reason most Porsche 911s sold are 4 wheel drive ..................just saying !

 

[niko]

Get the gts stinger it’s comes awd and with a switch of a button turns to rwd, well converts most of the power to the back wheels. Look it up if u can wait a bit that’s the car for u

 

[Lawrence Williams]

I'm in same boat .....drove both; getting AWD ..... someone once said " better to have and not need than to need and not have ....so while AWD will be heavier and more expensive, in the end it's the better option.

 

[cncBilly]

besides the snow / safety issue , theres a reason most Porsche 911s sold are 4 wheel drive ..................just saying !

He's a man of few words.......but good ones!!

 

[xot1]

I've chosen RWD because it
1) is lighter (~180lbs)
2) has less drive train loss (~30whp)

I also like the feel of RWD during hard acceleration and in corners.

If you want to go faster in the corners and do drag times, then you may want an AWD.

 

[Ruturaj]

I've chosen RWD because it
1) is lighter (~180lbs)
2) has less drive train loss (~30whp)

I also like the feel of RWD during hard acceleration and in corners.

If you want to go faster in the corners and do drag times, then you may want an AWD.

(Out of curiosity) what's your source on 2?

 

[xot1]

(Out of curiosity) what's your source on 2?

Dyno results..
Its a well known fact.

RWD 320~330whp
AWD 290~300whp
(on the same dyno)

 

[Ruturaj]

Dyno results..
Its a well known fact.

RWD 320~330whp
AWD 290~300whp
(on the same dyno)

Thanks. That's a major difference.

Also when you said AWD will be faster in corner, that was because it won't oversteer and you can give it more throttle?

 

[xot1]

Yes. More grip = more confidence.

 

[Capital AL]

Get the gts stinger it’s comes awd and with a switch of a button turns to rwd, well converts most of the power to the back wheels. Look it up if u can wait a bit that’s the car for u

I have looked into the GTS but it seems as if that car will be a base model GT with some preformance upgrades. I don't think it will have all the features that the GT2 has.

 

[celwin]

I've chosen RWD because it
1) is lighter (~180lbs)
2) has less drive train loss (~30whp)

I also like the feel of RWD during hard acceleration and in corners.

If you want to go faster in the corners and do drag times, then you may want an AWD.

This right here. I always get the RWD trim of any car that offers both for exactly this reason. Get a dedicated set of snow tires for winter and you have all bases covered. Unfortunately if you are in an area that gets snow fall, most of the trims at dealers will be AWD. Had to travel 220 miles to get my RWD GT at a dealer that had the exact color I wanted.

 

[MerlintheMad]

If you want to go faster in the corners and do drag times, then you may want an AWD.

The first part I believe. The faster drag times I don't believe. Last year when this was talked about, the consensus was that 0-60 and 1/4 mile go to the RWD. Now, if you're only talking about normal or average drivers, then yes, AWD will cover a multitude of sins or inadequate skill levels, and "we" will go faster in an AWD. But a driver who knows how to get the most out of RWD will turn quicker times in that setup.

OP: It boils down to what you want most, smoking tires (perverse fun) or practicality. I'm a practical person, living where we get snow, and frozen roads occasionally, and I don't want snow tires, because most of the time during the winter the roads are clear and dry. The rest of the time A/S on AWD in "Smart" mode suits me just fine. I also like the security of four points of power/grip when I am tooling around.

 

[xot1]

The first part I believe. The faster drag times I don't believe. Last year when this was talked about, the consensus was that 0-60 and 1/4 mile go to the RWD. Now, if you're only talking about normal or average drivers, then yes, AWD will cover a multitude of sins or inadequate skill levels, and "we" will go faster in an AWD. But a driver who knows how to get the most out of RWD will turn quicker times in that setup.

OP: It boils down to what you want most, smoking tires (perverse fun) or practicality. I'm a practical person, living where we get snow, and frozen roads occasionally, and I don't want snow tires, because most of the time during the winter the roads are clear and dry. The rest of the time A/S on AWD in "Smart" mode suits me just fine. I also like the security of four points of power/grip when I am tooling around.

I mentioned drag times because when you start tuning your car for more power, traction becomes a limiting factor for the RWD models.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I mentioned drag times because when you start tuning your car for more power, traction becomes a limiting factor for the RWD models.

Ah, that does change things! I was just thinking stock.

 

[eflyguy]

why I should choose AWD or RWD over one another.

Consider why the highest performing supercars are AWD (and it's not straight-line traction)..

RWD is fun on a track, but it's not "faster" or "better".

 

[Ruturaj]

Consider why the highest performing supercars are AWD (and it's not straight-line traction)..

RWD is fun on a track, but it's not "faster" or "better".

Since traction is a variable (changes by weather), any of RWD or AWD can be faster. More powerful cars do come with RWD only as well. I am not sure if stinger has more power than RWD can handle. But my thinking has been a variable too. (I own an AWD in NC).