AWD vs. RWD, State opinions on which is better here. Options

[darksecret]

I opened a thread on a RWD conversion around a week ago and people keep bringing up using the AWD drivetrain. I am not using AWD there is a GT-Four and im going to be unique. I don't want this to be a flame thread but I want people to give reasons why they think either is better. I'll start with my opinion, I am partial to RWD because i've driven both Evo and STi, WRX and Impreza RS. The Evo and STi have great handling I prefer the Evo. (these are the american versions) The WRX isn't bad but if the 6th gen had the same power I think the Celica could win. The Impreza RS is pathetic, I ran with one on a "track" (being a marked off parking lot) and was on them the whole time with a Lancer OZ. I know for a fact that I was the better driver, so that could have compensated for the 40hp difference. I would sway towards RWD since I feel better in one and yeah they have traction loss but little drivetrain loss. I will admit I would take a high power AWD in a drag over a high power RWD, but I would prefer RWD in the low to mid level drags and high level road races. Also RWD drivetrains are known to handle more power than both FWD and AWD (these are stock drivetrains), take the GSX and the GS-T, i've driven both stock and the GS-T felt like it had more power to the ground but the GSX just doesn't have enough power to meet the drivetrain so it is going to feel slower. The AWD drivetrain is also weaker in the GSX ask any DSM nut. I know it sounds like I prefer FWD over them all because of my examples but these are best AWD examples I have experience with.

My reasons for RWD being my favorite is:
1. They can handle more power.
2. Traction can be helped with better tires.
3. Lighter drivetrain.
4. Im more comfortable with RWD.
5. I think they are more fun to drive.

Disadvantages of RWD:
1. On high power cars traction is a major issue.
2. Harder to learn and drive with high power.
3. More power going to only two wheels means more stress on drivetrain.

The biggest issue with the two is traction and everyone knows that. So lets hear others opinions on which they prefer and keep it out of the RWD conversion forum please, it's there for learning. Think about it like this why would RWD be the mainstay for all forms of pro drag racing if the traction was that terrible. (other than the FWD divisions)

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

It's not a matter of preference at all. It's a matter of what your going to do with it. Any drag racing should be RWD. As some of those guys in the 7-9's, they'll tell you that you can hook up a RWD better than a FWD or AWD. Lower power drags it doesn't matter to much, they all equal out with advantages and disadvatages. If your talking any rally type racing, then it's defenately AWD. Even if your more comfertable with RWD, once you learn how to drive the AWD car you'll get better times. If your talking road course racing, then I guess that could go either way. The AWD is going to hold better, but you'll have power loss through drivetrain. The front drive with be nice for smaller courses, same as AWD because you can push it harder without tailslide. But you won't have the high drivetrain loss with FWD. RWD will feel lighter in the front, and understeer and loarge power losses won't be a big issues. Oversteer will be an issue. So it's pretty much the size of the course that matters. I would just run what I had for this type of race. The RWD will allways be funner to drive on the street because of tailslide. So, it all depends on your style of racing. But if it's a street car the RWD will be funner.