Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceywilly
While you are quoting all those statistics you might want to look up a graph of traffic fatalities over time. Yes, people used to drive RWD cars with no traction control all the time before front wheel crap. It was no big deal, they just died a lot. The FR-S is certainly far safer than the old RWD cars when traction control is on... so what do you think are the odds this kid had traction control on?
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I don't agree with your premise. FWD was not really common in the US in any significant numbers until the mid/late 70's. By then the safety equipment introduced (seat belts, significant bumper improvements, head rests, crumple zones, the Interstate HWY system, etc, etc) and that is where the real gains were.
I've driven RWD most of my life, and have actually only had one car as my primary vehicle (a '77 Honda Civic CVCC wagon) that wasn't RWD, so perhaps I've been "trained" to drive it but I think the difference between FWD and RWD in terms of driving experience is being exaggerated.
The real problem is the 86 is a sports car, drivers see it as a sports car, and (in general) it is driven more aggressively like a sports car. You expect it can handle more so you drive it that way and when things go bad, you are more committed to your mistake, and pay the price (nannies on or off).
So, I have to wonder, for those of us that grew up with RWD, should we have the "problem" in reverse? I mean, if I get in a FWD car, will I no longer be able to make the car go around a corner because the understeer is working against me? Just saying....