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Question:

Help! Front Wheel Drive!?

Okay I‘m buying a new car and it‘s two wheel drive, except that it is front wheel drive? I have never driven a front wheel drive before. Anyone have any opinions on front wheel drive cars? What are the differences between front wheel and rear wheel drive??-thanks

Answer:

The differences? Well front wheel drive will have the engine in sideways, has no drive shaft, suppose to be better traction wise since the weight of the engine is on the drive axles, has CV joints. there are many differences. Both have their pros and cons. I prefer a rear wheel drive.
Front wheel drive won't be a problem. The only thing i have with them is they have less traction in accelerating because when you accelerate the front lifts up causing the wheels in the front to have less force on the ground and the back sinks down which with rear wheel drive the back sinking down will cause more force on the rear tires. Unless your going racing or is a street racer i wouldn't worry about it. Most cars are front wheel drive anyways. GOOD LUCK!!
The main mechanical differences are the gearbox in a front wheel drive car is contained in the gear box while in a rear wheel drive car its separate at the rear. In a front wheel drive car since your not sending drive to the back you normally get the engine fitted transversely (posh trade term for sideways mounted) which means you can have a shorter bonnet and since the back only has to deal with braking and suspension it means the boot can be deeper. Most modern cars (except I think bmw who still use (or at least did) rear wheel drive) are front wheel drive. As for handling, I can't say as I've only driven front wheel drive cars myself

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