Are front wheel drive cars good?

Casey Putsch drives a 1988 Volkswagen Scirocco and talks about the positives and negatives of front wheel drive as well as giving tips, tricks, and concepts for maximizing driving FWD sports cars and when to drive rear wheel drive sports cars. Thank you to Avalon King Armor Shield Ceramic Coating. This stuff really works to protect your paint with a jewel like shine on the microscopic level.
Purchase Avalon King ceramic coating products here!
avl.kg/evilgenius
Subscribe to Avalon King on YT! / @avalonking
Donate to Genius Garage here!
www.geniusgarageracing.com
Follow Casey on IG! Instagram @caseyputsch
/ caseyputsch
Follow Casey on Facebook!
/ caseyputsch

[@ralesarcevic]

"...The redline is 7000 RPM which for the 80s was pretty high for not being a dorito powered Mazda..." I laughed so hard you can't even believe it

[@hustonbillman8208]

But what flavor of Dorito powered Mazda?

[@pgtmr2713]

You don't need doritos to hit 7k in a Mazda. 9k, 10k, sure.

[@MadazMazdas]

@@pgtmr2713 yup, my mx6 revs to 8k lol. But the tachs are always off

[@pgtmr2713]

@@MadazMazdas You mean 7500. Any mods or just NA KLDE?

[@MadazMazdas]

@@pgtmr2713 na klde, but there's something up with my limiter/tachometer it goes to 8100 I believe.

[@kyiri21]

He's double clutching without even thinking while I plan,rehearse and still duck up

[@nahthravan]

He has had his fair share of training as well though

[@8000watts]

The same way you planned, rehearsed, and still “ducked up” this post? 😂😂

[@kyiri21]

@@8000watts Don't know if it'll offend anyone by cursing also your brain's gonna say the actual words anyway lol

[@8000watts]

kyirii GGL 😂😂true. Definitely true🤣

[@p4inmaker]

Plan less. The more you consciously focus on stuff like that the worse it will go.

[@Kenjh71]

A powerful FWD is like wrestling with an angry badger while trying to drive your car. And say what you want, but it's not boring.

[@zloychechen5150]

not boring, but not that satisfying. it's like a lot of wasabi with a tiny bit of sushi, as compared to sushi with a tiny bit of wasabi.

[@iceicebabyil]

Agreed I wouldn’t ever give up my Mazdaspeed 3 funnest car I’ve ever owned, I’ve had a Dodge Charger R/T, Firebird Formula, and a 5.7 Dodge Ram

[@stephen3164]

Torque steer on the highway is never fun. Powerful FWD cars upset me worse than low hp ones.

[@williambellisIII]

I guess the Civic Type R is an exception, because there is next to zero torque steer. It's pretty remarkable.

[@augustopinochet6899]

@@williambellisIII isn't the current type R awd?

[@BundSama]

Someone at my regional rally event told me this: "If you want to get competitive; FWD, if you want to start winning; AWD, if you want to have fun; RWD!"

[@MJT-DA]

They're not wrong look at the type r it's beating rwd audi's

[@tidaltidaltidal]

@@MJT-DA which Audi have an RWD layout? 🤦

[@MJT-DA]

@@tidaltidaltidal r8 look it up

[@Bamznz]

@@MJT-DA Not entirely true. While there are r8 with rwd from factory, those were a limited production run for 999 vehicles. Your regular Audi will be fwd or awd and your 'regular' r8 will be awd

[@MJT-DA]

@@Bamznz Oh I see. My fault.

[@Interceptor1986]

Here in Europe we have a lot of really fast FWD classes in Hillclimbs and Rallys. If the Driver knows his game and has a good FWD Racecar, he can match or beat the times of RWD Cars.

[@angelgjr1999]

FWD cars are better for rally. RWD is better for tarmac.

[@sasha-taylor]

@@angelgjr1999 ehhh I'd say it depends on a lot more than just which wheels are powered, from weight distribution to suspension geometry to the specific conditions of the rally. The Lancia Stratos would probably beat a lot of more powerful fwd cars in loose conditions, as it's got most of its weight over the driven rear wheels, with an extra wide rear track width with wide tires in the back.

[@augustopinochet6899]

@@sasha-taylor yeah, but in general, a fwd car will have more traction offroad than an equivalent rwd car

[@JohnDoe-zr6bk]

Most important fact: FWD is easier constructed (less parts) and cheaper!

[@shinren_]

@@angelgjr1999 just go all wheel drive

[@raffinblackadder6415]

It's funny because FWD cars absolutely DOMINATE in the top tier levels of Time Attack

[@popuptoaster]

@phil alan More likely a lack of small, light RWD cars available these days than any inherent advantage to FWD.

[@popuptoaster]

@phil alan Karts are mostly rwd or awd not fwd so I dunno why you mention those as they kind of destroy your own point. Excluding sports cars most production RWD cars these days are larger luxury or premium models so the advantage of RWD is cancelled out by size and weight compared to the thousands of small, light FWD cars that are being built these days, even in the US, the home of the large, lardy automobile the majority of new cars sold are FWD (go look it up). Hill climb events have always been about light weight and high power but if you are in a production car class your choices of small cars with RWD are very limited these days, back in the days when there was more choice and you could buy small sub 1000kg cars with RWD such as Ford Escorts or Sunbeam Lotus' they dominated almost all motorsport on twisty tracks/roads with a few cars such as the Mini putting up a good showing in the lower powered classes. FWD is not inherently better, it's success these days is down to having to use what is available if the class you race in does not allow serious mods, you can resort tto insults if you want but really you only have to look at any of the purpose built hill climb cars not modified production vehicles, anything specifically built for the job that is not AWD will almost always be RWD. I don't need to use the internet to research something you can see with your own eyes if you spend any real time around the racing scene, I dunno which country you are in but feel free to post a list of races from your neck of the woods won outright by FWD cars, that's outright wins not CLASS wins.

[@ArchOfficial]

@phil alan I think this kind of thing gets distorted a bit when the driver level is not that high, or when rules and regulations are biased heavily towards some layout. FWD cars being able to have more tire in the front vs RWD cars in the rear, for example. That would be a rule thing, not a layout thing. Most drivers also can't maximize their vehicle, even in high-ish levels of racing. It becomes more of a confidence thing than a layout advantage thing. So yeah, FWDs might be winning a lot in hillclimbs, but with competent drivers and a series where the regulations are very balanced, I'm pretty sure a purpose built mid-engine car would win everything if the cars are not extremely tire limited. If they are, and electronic AWD is allowed, then that would win everything, even with a mass disadvantage. If an NA Civic is beating a 500hp AWD Civic, that's either a regulation thing, a driver thing, or both. It's like when the FD2 Type R did that time attack time on Tsukuba, but everyone forgets that the outside of the tires used are basically slicks. On actual road tires it would be somewhat disappointing.

[@BladezAndrew]

1 View um.... no they don’t??? Whether you’re talking about on a track, rally, hillclimb, etc I don’t think they ever are and are always way off the pace of the best

[@BladezAndrew]

phil alan I’m almost positive that not only is everything you said wrong, but in fact the opposite is true for just about everything you said, and how convenient that you won’t link anything, even though you yourself brought up Pike’s Peak where FWD cars just NEVER win and even if the FWD RECORD SETTING Acura TLX A-Spec that got the FWD record in 2018, competed back in 1987.... it still would’ve lost. Even more upsetting would be the fact that pre 2011 the road was not fully paved and back then a lot of the track was gravel, so it probably wouldn’t have won even back further than that. And that’s really saying something that the record setting FWD car on a fully paved road is slower than the RWD and AWD cars of the 80’s racing on not just paved roads but gravel. So I’d really like some links to something or just a mention of an event where FWD is “dominate” and not just a “well this one year even though they were really off the pace but the other cars were having issues so-“ because scientifically, mathematically, in just about every single measurable way FWD is wayyyyyyy worse at everything.... I’m not just talking about bad in some areas, but ok in others... I mean, acceleration, braking, cornering, everything type bad. Because for starters, for a car to really be the fastest it has to be able to have a little bit of slip for not just the front wheels..... but the rear wheels too during cornering. That peak lateral G force that you can get out of a car is when both the front and rear tires have the perfect amount of slip angle where it’s like the car is sliding but not quite really sliding. A FWD car just cannot do that.... under power at least... but that’s exactly when it needs to happen so you can shoot out of corners as fast as possible. And when you’re using lateral grip you can’t use as much longitudinal grip and vice versa, so if you’re trying to put down 600hp to the front wheels.... but also your front wheels are essentially the only thing that’s providing any sort of turning force since the front wheels are pulling the car straight preventing any of the turning or acceleration load from going to the tires that... it would normally go to most... the outside rears... and the tires that should have the least amount of load on them at least when talking about from front to back are now the ones that need to have the most because front wheels are the only ones able to do anything. So you should know that for acceleration and turning FWD is worse now right? But also don’t forget braking, since nearly all the weight is over the front wheels and then when you brake even more of the weight gets shifted to the front it means that FWD cars need to have such a front heavy brake bias, and that the rear wheels are providing relatively no braking force compared to the fronts, so in total it does everything worse and that’s why every single hill climb, time attack, etc even that I’M AWARE OF at least. FWD is sometimes MINUTES off the pace. And ironically I think it should be the more wide open stuff that FWD should be closer on since it at least cuts out all the low speed acceleration that again you should know by now FWD loves to spin the tires. An unorthodox suspension setup and aero balance could make the car have slight liftoff oversteer like handling to get some rotation in the middle to high speed corners where you’re in higher gears where the torque loss of the higher gears is greater and you’re not spinning the tires as much and the one and only advantage of FWD that I can really think of being drivetrain losses being less in FWD should be more apparent the more open it is. The only real way FWD could beat other drivetrain layouts is either A. The skill of the competition was really REALLY bad B. The rules and regulations were HIGHLY in FWD’s favor C. They raced in a straight line for long enough that the first initial time loss of the start was made up for by the less drivetrain loss, and/or extra fuel economy for that same reason and less weight. Other than that the weight savings don’t make up for the negatives it has in everything else. I am by no means a FWD “hater” I love Hondas, and a lot of other FWD cars, I think they can be nearly just as fun as RWD. I still think RWD is more fun just for the sake of drifting, it’s just something that’s a little bit extra. 1 more thing you can do compared to FWD. That being said I’d still be very happy if I had like an EG hatch or something.

[@AndrewMalkin]

I absolutely love driving FWD cars. Especially when they are light and chuckable. I've driven many different cars, fairly well, but I still gravitate to smaller FWD cars.

[@madmax2069]

I loved driving my old 92 Mazda protege.

[@beegxxc9832]

Small fwd cars give so much fun - I gotta say it even as RWD fan. But it's so dump to put FWD in a heavy sedan, just doesnt drive right.

[@cattcameo]

Love my fiesta st

[@Sammie551]

Are all Altis FWD?

[@BenMessenger]

IMO, and I'm no racing driver, front-wheel drive IS better in the snow, ice, or very low grip conditions (on a public road), because you can't achieve the acceleration (or grip?) that causes enough force and weight transfer to load up the back. But the heavy engine and transmission is sat over the front wheels, pushing them into the road, at all speeds - which in those conditions on a public road should be very low. For a basic example, watch slow-moving Beemers get stuck going up relatively slight inclines in slow-moving traffic in the snow. I see this every time we have enough snow to settle on the road outside my house. Admittedly I live in the southern UK and settling snow is a little unusual, but not a freak occurrence, and nobody has winter tyres - in fact, a lot of peop[e barely have tread on their tyres. Edit - Agree that rear-wheel drive is where the fun starts tho. Just not on a snowy winter's morning when you're driving to work on country roads with lots of inclines.

[@jpfreight]

Agree! The added stability at speed in FWD lets you drive faster in snow and accelerate faster. I spanked my buddies 442 Cutlass in a little old Mercury Tracer from a stop. I can always go faster in snow in my Civic than I do in a Mustang for example.

[@davidpineda645]

work from home is 2020. i just neef a laptop to work. search up digital marketting and mentorship program

[@declanrobinson6624]

AWD is general better than both

[@davidpineda645]

@@declanrobinson6624 not even when ur racing from a dig and a roll maybe all wheel drive is good like a gtr or evo but when ur talking about corners you need to slide the car and go fast asfk into a turn. Drifting is winning

[@declanrobinson6624]

@@davidpineda645 I more meant in the snow and or on loose surfaces, with good tyres I think AWD would dominate in that scenario

[@prycenewberg3976]

The end of this video reminded me of something my dad once told me, "Anyone can drive a fast car, very few people can drive a car fast."

[@arjunnair8037]

Lmao the next video in my recommendations is Donut Media's 8 best front wheel drive cars! 😂

[@xxatreyurocks101xx]

"Faster Than A Ferrari!!?"

[@messmeister92]

I read this comment, backed out, and got the same suggested video 😂

[@RickOAA]

I've had more fun in FWD in all conditions...also dig having a subcompact, lightweight car that can fit five people plus stuff. Sure, there are compromises but the packaging really makes sense for a daily driver.

[@Reaper1008]

I used to love front wheel drive, I had driven them most of my life.. Now I drive a Camaro, and the feel...feel is so much better.. I just like the feel of the RWD. But there are still cars I really like that are FWD

[@pgtmr2713]

I've had Camaros and a Mustang, even had a t56 Trans Am to look after for awhile. After several years of rwd I missed a fwd with independent rear suspension, stiffer suspension, and higher strung smaller engine that could literally do the same performance NA. Of the 3 the Mustang had the worst feel to the solid rear axle. When it comes to any sort of irregularities in the road, bumps, railroad tracks. Also with pony cars the first thing you do is throw everything away. More power? You need this and that, while you're at it the other thing. Oh you want to stop!?! Then you my friend need $2500 in brakes... to get you started. Rear gears? Well now you NEED a 6th gear to keep the racket down and not ruin your fuel economy. Even when you start with a top of the line package there's always that MORE, it costs a lot, then something else tops it. FWD most cases you got to work with what you've got, maybe get a little creative. The entire engine, for my FWD car cost way less than mediocre heads for a 2v 4.6.

[@ctcboater]

Casey is wrong about driving in the snow. Because the coefficient of adhesion in snow is very low, there is almost no front/rear weight transfer. Consequently a FWD car almost always has much better tractive force in slippery conditions. Where FWD cars sometime get in trouble is when someone quickly backs off the throttle and locks up the front wheels, washing out the front end.

[@heroichitsuji]

Thank you! I was looking for this comment, I doubt people would be mashing the throttle enough in SNOW anyway to experience any kind of meaningful weight transfer (under normal driving at least)

[@mitchyman935]

Let’s use this example my civic I have pushed snow my Miata spun out going 5mph I’m out going to work before the plows sometimes there’s no way I can go through a ft of snow in my Miata like I have to do with my civic

[@OmegaF77]

That's why pickup trucks sometimes put bags of sand or weight in the back to get traction.

[@guyderagisch4964]

Weight distribution is key. If its 50/50 fwd or rwd will be negligible.

[@iceicebabyil]

If I flatfoot shifted around a corner in my Mazdaspeed 3 I would litterly die the torque steer on my speed 3 is insane, I’m making 330 hp and 385 lb of torque

[@thisguyfromyoutubesaid1537]

If you buy the right car with 50 50 weight distribution (mustangs and camaros are close miata are 50 50 but no power and all bmws are 50 50 ) youll really know whay driving is all about. Your mazda handles teribly it has 60 percent of the weight in the front

[@zloychechen5150]

@- then you know you're not driving a honda.

[@angelgjr1999]

I’d die in my Mustang GT too. No joke, I take most hard corners in neutral.

[@iceicebabyil]

John Smith I’ve owned a firebird formula, Dodge Charger RT and a 5.7 ram, I’ve also went with my buddy and his drift Miata and been able to slide it around, I know what driving is all about, my Mazdaspeed is a blast and handles better then you think, you just have to be careful with the throttle because with as much tq as I’m pushing I’ll spin the front tires even going down the road

[@angelgjr1999]

John Smith Yes but your rear wheels could spin and you can easily slide off the road.

[@danielseelye6005]

So what you're saying is the "best" car is a rear-engine rear-wheel setup with the physics to help put the power down and have the room for the interior? Why do I get the feeling the Porsche snobs are perking their ears up?

[@thisguyfromyoutubesaid1537]

Well idk what hes saying butt no rear engine cars are 60 percent of the weighr in the rear thats to much they want to drift all the time, while a car with 50 50 weight distribution or more ideally somthing likel 45 55 weight distribtion could go around that same turn at the same mph and not drift (drift equals speed loss through the tires acting like brakes sliding rather then rolling)

[@danielseelye6005]

@@thisguyfromyoutubesaid1537 Just letting you know, it's a bit of a _Whoosh_ going on. I was trying to joke (badly) about how Porsche snobs will grab any argument they can to justify their snobbery. However, I'll give you a thumbs up for the logical response. Have a good day!

[@zloychechen5150]

i haven't driven a 911, but i imagine i would love it.

[@fastinradfordable]

Rear rear isn’t the best. Mid-rear is best.

[@thisguyfromyoutubesaid1537]

@@fastinradfordable mid rear isnt nessarily the best most mid rear engines cars are 40 60 while a buggati iss 45 55 same with konesseggs. Take it from the best

[@Jawesome1Shazam]

I drove front wheel cars for most of my life. Last September I got myself an older pick-up, with part-time 4WD, but it's rear-wheel drive with a manual. It was a lot fun learning the hard way that when you don't have a load on the back wheels the rear end gets bored and wants to know what's going on up front. After driving it on slick roads and the highway in the rain a lot, I figured it out. At first I would just brake and engage the 4WD to keep from flying off the road, now I just know how to handle it. And one thing I hate are people with manuals that have have a bumper sticker that says "WARNING, THIS CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, MAY ROLL BACKWARDS!" Before I learned to drive a manual, I was doing tree work and the climber driving the truck saw a car with one and he said "Then learn how to drive a manual, you dipsh*t." I took that to heart when I learned, I don't roll backwards unless that is my intention. I may have made it slightly harder to drive in this hilly area, but no excuses for driving, gotta blend in and conform for safety reasons. Most people won't expect it, and a lot won't even bother to read a bumper sticker. I feel like a big part of defensive driving is to be mindful of yourself and other cars around while also not assuming what other drivers are going to do or accommodate.

[@G-force_Motorsport]

Only driven a rwd once... it spun out🤣 Just an awd, lots of 4wds and lots of fwds. I've never seen a sticker like that! were they serious? ;) I think here in Australia that would be a giveaway ones got an US driver in front!

[@G-force_Motorsport]

Never forget the handbrake. Throttle at the front, handbrake at the back means so much control on loose surfaces. (not necessarily more than a rwd) Turning a fwd car with left foot braking, with you're right foot still on the throttle is so satisfying, and is quick too. No one brings a rwd (buggies excepted) to a knanacross here in Australia if they want to win. Only for fun ;)

[@lukejankowski1874]

great channel, I stumbled across it and just love it. I had a scirocco back in HS and loved it. such a sweet looking Wedge shape car! brings back of some memories!

[@regulator5521]

I love my mk7 GTI, it’s quick and the grip on corners is amazing

[@faketouge]

Casey, you made this video at the perfect time. I just got a Honda Fit that I’m going to be expanding my driving (and mechanical) skills with and this video was very educational and helpful!

[@christopherjohnston6343]

Curious how you went with your Fit? Having driven lots of FWD small cars - I really rate them

[@zacharyosvald251]

Last time I was this early, the lykan wasn't an idea.

[@MalcolmDesigns]

In 1984 I bought a 1980 Scirocco S to use in college in Syracuse NY. I LOVED that car, it had a 5 speed and it drove through any weather conditions, especially snow (snow tires). I miss that car and those days.

[@garnetcampbell4389]

My buddy had a Fiesta ST for a couple years and just loved that car. He was able to get a smoke'n deal on a Focus RS and did the trade. He likes the acceleration and drifting on the RS but he still thinks he enjoyed the ST more. He was able to throw the Fiesta around corners with ease and it was just funner to drive.

[@G-force_Motorsport]

The mk2 Focus ST(225hp) - previous gen to your mates RS - could only pull away from the mk6 Fiesta ST(150hp) on long straights, on a good road here in Australia :) Nothing like a fast fwd Ford, especially a Fiesta!

[@simonhurlimann908]

Small cars can be more fun - thats something many people still just don’t understand

[@DangerAngelous]

I've learnt for myself about what the limit is, where it is, what the 'indicator' of it happening is and also(thanks to strategic positioning of the older pair of tyres and my local roundabout) a bit of Scandinavian rotational trickery. The best part is no one suspects a thing from my dainty little Cruze :D

[@OttoTheWeim]

I agree with your points. I had an RX-7 and then a C4 Corvette way back when I was 18 and they were my daily driver only cars. I had to learn how to handle and safely drive them in the winter weather of PA. But that scirocco is some of the most fun on wheels. A real joy to drive and soon you’ll be able to follow the story of its renewal. Thanks again.

[@Levibetz]

18:20 This same advice, which I totally agree with can be applied in something like autocross. In an autocross or something where you're between 1st and 2nd gear, rather than trying to maximize power by hanging the car in 1st, you may find that lugging the car slightly in 2nd gear and trying to conserve momentum is going to make you a better driver, and make you churn out faster runs. And likely by the end of the heat you'll find you're no longer lugging the engine because you've found more speed to hold through the corners.

[@chaserevstuning9271]

Meanwhile Spoon FD2 still holds a record for fastest track lap that no rwd has beat.

[@StormerNF3]

While i heard of this do you mind giving some more context. What track, what class?

[@millenniumzeek]

Buttonwillow time attack record? It's time is definitely impressive but a 2018 Civic beat it, and this new record is actually faster than the AWD unlimited record. Crazy. But RWD beat it. What is really interesting is how the FD2 even though a race car, is faster than the Viper ACR at Buttonwillow CW13

[@sostrucking]

Ok which configuration? That track can have a few different configurations. What year was it?

[@blaise-876]

and here we see fanboys trying to scrape together an excuse. stop being shit and learn to drive. doesn't matter if it's rwd, awd or fwd, get good and stop complaining.

[@jSyndeoMusic]

Spoon has an FK7 now too!

[@KarlCasper23]

One of the best things I ever did for learning how to drive was to drive rear wheel drive with traction control off in the snow, it makes you really pay attention to what’s going on with the traction

[@AdamJohnson-di7co]

Thankful for your bringing up the autocross issue. I love autocrossing my VW New Beetle. It is a great learning tool.

[@charlescuthbert6411]

I was always a rwd fan, still am. A powerful fwd with a diff is a different challenge. E.g. Fiat Coupe 20VT Technically inferior but can be fulfilling when you get it to flow, control weight transfer balance on the traction limit. BTW The channel is fantastic

[@v4lhulme]

A FWD car with 300-400 hp is a blast. My little omni feels like a go kart, handles like a dream because its so light and when you put your foot to the floor it's right on the edge of blowing the tires off. 80s FWD best FWD.

[@seanjilek9870]

I don't usually comment but dude I love this video. Are we going to get any more Scirocco stuff? This video came at the perfect time. Me and my grandfather are looking for one right now to work on together. He used to own one before I came around so it should be a fun project for us. I'm glad that it's not just us that love Sciroccos!

[@robertsjordan12]

Thats why the miata is such a great platform! Its rear wheel driver you can use a lot of its power without killing yourself and its very forgivable. I eventually want an rx-7 FC but until then I practice on the backroads in this thing like theres no tomorrow. It would be awesome if you could give your thoughts on the miata in a video one day Casey! Thanks for the informative content, I love to learn new things as a younger driver :) much love from florida

[@frontwheeldrip4253]

Freaking love my FWD abarth, just got a fender well intake, brisk racing silver spark plugs, Alfa Romeo 4C coil packs, larger euro garrett turbo, 46/48 (vs stock Honeywell, 44/45) and a cat less downpipe. Making around 210-215 after installing and remapping the ECU with a piggyback tune from 500 madness. It’s a cute car. But it will throw you back in the seat and torque steer will take you 2 lanes left if you aren’t paying attention. It’s a fight, but like a fight with your roommates really really really hot sister, and you’re both drunk, and it’s actually more teasing than it is fighting. Ahh, love the abarth.

[@XBullitt16X]

Surprised he didn't talk about Torque steer, not that it's a huge issue on many FWD cars.

[@harshithsadhana7475]

vaxhuall astra vxr, chevy ss cobalt,

[@Eko_Kats]

Torque steer can be utilized in corners for tight cornering(almost oversteer) if done right, but you can also fix it with LSD if you are more of straight line guy.

[@aaa72317]

"It has 4 wheels and it runs, that means you can train and learn from it." - some tofu delivery guy

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

and that car he was using was REAR WHEEL DRIVE......

[@doubleutubefan5]

I daily a FWD and its so fun to throw around. The back end always threatens to break loose after initial understeer. Honestly it's just fun. Mind you that the power being put to the road AND the handling is all on the front tires. Mine has an open differential. In snow and ice you throw the rear end out with the handbrake and then POWA out of the slide. foot to floor and the car pulls it self straight.

[@deedler5687]

"Rubber baby buggy bumpers" - one of the best Arnold quotes. Nice lol

[@MrKushinator420]

Thanks for the vid casey, I've been stuck on fwd volvos for a few years but been getting into sim racing. I think it might be soon time to get a 240 or 940

[@sukmidri]

I had a 99 prelude SH growing up,that car was a blast to drive,I have a project 01 I'm working on now. Was a foxbody guy but after hooning out the prelude,man that car just felt like you were one with it when taking corners.

[@soundhead18]

“There’s no way I could drive like that in my Dodge Viper”...because #Scirocco

[@Darkaccent]

Because #7horsepower #Scirocco

[@Darkaccent]

@11:23

[@soundhead18]

Trent Dowst huh?

[@soundhead18]

Trent Dowst What?

[@Darkaccent]

@@soundhead18 what are you asking about

[@jessicaphoenix1312]

I remember the 1987 Scirocco and how fun it was. They were zippy at the time for FWD, it was cool. I drive a 2023 Elantra N today and that FWD has 320 whp and an LSD. It is hard to put the power down in 1st and 2nd, but it is incredibly easy to drive. I have been itching for something RWD with a V8 growl instead of the popcorn exhaust and turbo noises, which I have grown fond of in my daily driver.

[@BackroadBender]

coming from a heavy understeering fwd, i would say you adapt to use your traction sensing skills for all 4 tires instead of mostly just the front tires

[@icarus2265]

Love those videos where you are driving!

[@MrMoppeh]

My only knowledge of the VW scirocco was the modern wide stance model...my god the 88 is a gorgeous boxy hatch. Wish they still designed cars like that. I passed my test last month and driving my mums old mk 4 fiesta, started off really not a fan of the older stylin but now im so grateful to have a slightly older car, simple shapes, no fake vents or fake exhausts, no infotainment, just a simple car

[@ElGato01]

I own a 2002 Saab 9-5 aero and its FWD and I'd say it's an absolute blast to drive.

[@eddietucker3334]

My first brand new car was a 1968 Saab 96, my first fwd car after having driven Pontiacs (LeMans's and a GTO). That little thing could take the mountain I had to go over every day better than the Goat. Loved that car.

[@That_fella_named_J]

@Casey Putsch, love the video because it's very informative. However, ( not trying to be a troll, just curious ) would this all apply to a awd manual car ? The limits of a awd seems higher but also I feel as though it makes it harder to identify the maximum grip/traction of my car and tires and would like to find how I can fully ulitize it's capabilities and improve my driver's skills. For now it's what I have until I can upgrade. Again, many thanks and keep up the videos up!

[@lordflufffluff]

I admire the Civic type r even though my dream car is a Mazda Miata ND.

[@mrhefner01]

I am going to take this to heart and make sure my project car is rwd. Do you have a recommendation for good choices? I currently drive a 220 whp fwd civic si. I definitely want to build a kart to start practicing and plan to watch your series on karts.

[@steeliewheelies]

Hell yes, confirms a lot of my beliefs (as a novice spirited driver). I run around in an 86 Accord with just over 100hp, and though it’s no speed machine it’s very fun through corners. Working towards something RWD though, as I know the driving is much different

[@emmaccode]

But there's also an engine in the front that adds to the weight being placed on the tires.

[@TurkishMK3.6]

More updates on this, haven’t seen it in awhile, I always enjoy seeing a good ol 16v scirocco

[@LeftenantMalachi]

Only front wheel drive car I had was a Volvo 850 Turbo tuned. It was such a nice car, but the torque steer was crazy!

[@declanrobinson6624]

I would be interested to see Caseys point on AWD as thats where a lot of the higher cars are/have headed

[@MarkDe94]

on straight grid system roads? yes. on a twisty backroad, especially in the UK, its the best place for them. my 235hp fiesta ST with a Limited Slip diff is a backroad monster.

[@Winterstormadvisory]

VW beetle with an engine swap, 280hp and I absolutely clean backroads. I love it.

[@jacklougheed4561]

I will admit that FWD doesn’t develop good throttle habits, but I will also agree with the learning to feel the tires and I will add that I believe it is more stable under engine braking through a corner: it may unload the rear, but it doesn’t add load to them, it adds load the to weighted tires.

[@Tricknologyinc]

LOVE the crazy spectrum analyzer at the bottom of the screen! Is that an app? :P

[@riccardo1796]

Speaking of, you should try getting one of the fwd gtr-lm prototypes They're rotting in a dumpster so I don't think they'll be missed even if you plant it in a wall

[@lordflufffluff]

I like rear wheel drive and symmetrical all-wheel drive sports cars. I ended up finding this out after I got into RC cars. Drifting and throttle steering my rear wheel drive RC car was exciting. The grip of my all-wheel drive RC car made it drive great on the track.

[@babyface1705]

My 97 Camry, a fwd car, was faster than a Scion FRS, a rwd car. My lizard brain has therefore drawn the conclusion that fwd will always beat rwd. So take that.

[@jordibigbucks6435]

97 Camry’s have more hp too lol

[@BipolarBearFun]

I’ve owned and loved driving two Subaru WRXs and a Nissan 350Z. The 2014 Mazda3i sport with a 2.0L and a 6MT that I drive everyday now has made me the best driver I have ever been.

[@TheUsmc0802]

Casey you have the BEST MK1 VW, man I wish I could find a 16 V!

[@000haker]

I have a corolla with a cvt, its not sporty at all but I still have fun with it. 1.8L only 130hp/110 torque but still fairly peppy for how little it is, revs to 6.5k, still can take corners with confidence wide open screaming like a banshee but not gaining any speed. The only thing I did was get nicer tires than the factory crap which wore down way too quickly. I enjoy being able to cruise on the highway at 75mph while barely over 2k on the tach and get 32mpg. Also there are a lot of dirt and gravel roads in my area that get fairly slippery when it rains, this car has never had a problem, just crawls right through while my friends in their big trucks are eagerly waiting for me to get stuck so they can pull something lol. I enjoy what I'm blessed to have for now, hopefully will pass the car on to my little sister when she starts driving and get something more exciting in the future. Great vid as always!

[@Lino155]

As someone who has driven the same FWD car for the last 11 years at autocross, track days, and daily driving, your points are valid. FWD is great and fun when you understand your driving FWD, but when you want to get serious with racing/driving, nothing is better then a well balanced RWD.

[@coldstonecanc3rgang994]

I know it's not manual, but I love the 2019 Mazda 6. They didn't program the car to cut ALL power when flooring it, so you still get wheel spin. It's slow, but I enjoy it for what it is.

[@LeoCharles]

I don't like recommending topics to KZbinrs, but I truly respect your opinion and expertise. Have you considered making a video on Tire Brands for everyday drivers? I love Pirelli, but I would be interested in your opinion other than google searching and reading articles by websites that might be being paid by tire brands to recommend them. Cheers!

[@forresttm]

My fwd diesel is fun in the wet.. It turns into a understeering loon and wants to spin the wheels in any gear below 4th, mostly due to cheap tyres.

[@ScottJ175]

100% agree with all your points. For a time I considered FWD fragile too because the 1985 LeBaron convertible I had would shred CV boots regularly. But that was just awful Chrysler QC.

[@jerkofalltrades5430]

Back in the day I built my Scirrocco from a stripped parts car and a rusty donor. Ended up with a 2.0 Jetta engine with some tweaks, a low geared 4 spd diesel Rabbit trans and motorcycle springs over the strut cartridges for a lift. We used to HAMMER that thing in sandpits and down fire roads, went like hell and jumped like a Grasshopper lol.

[@dacasman]

Some of the newer FWD hot hatches can be a handful to drive. Especially when you flash the ECU for more boost. I have a Stage 2+ 2008 VW GTI making about 280HP and 320 torque and if I flatfoot the throttle around a corner I'm definitely going to spin the wheels and understeer off the road.

[@fastinradfordable]

Those engines are amazing..... How many times has the water pump been done or the intake manifold? Still on factory defective timing chain tensioner? Sorry but those things have screwed over a lot of people. They do RIP though.

[@dacasman]

Sorry I meant 2008 (FSI) The engine has 212k miles on it and I've never had a catastrophic failure or anything. The waterpump was replaced only because I thought it was a good idea to do it while I was replacing the timing belt. and the fuel pump cam follower was replaced as well. No issues though.

[@jordangordon2350]

Great video! You should do one on AWD!

[@nitrous36]

Im glad you made this. Id like to here your opinion of AWD cars. If you ever get the opportunity to drive one and make a video that would be cool. :D

[@gesiisak3120]

I had a Ford fiesta and now i got a c class 230 sport and i like a lot more rwd cars, more traction and powerslides

[@zachemorgan]

I didn't know this about the understeer in Fwd in my 1st car. I tried going into a corner really hot and understeered into a curb lol.

[@bradklingensmith]

I'm going to start a Casey game. Every time he says frankly, do a shot. Lol. And I bought a Genius Garage t-shirt.

[@Blenzo480]

One of the best driving cars I've had was a FWD 91 lotus elan. Not the most fun but there was something special about it

[@crisrose9707]

I've found in a fwd car if you aren't on the limit of traction/starting to slide then its because you've not entered the corner as fast as you could have. the idea is not to power out of the corner the idea is to be on the limit of grip so much that when you do accelerate more you just slide more!

[@anotherstar8125]

i like that you said "building talent" as supposed to building skills. food for thought...

[@andrewking2193]

Man, this takes me back to high school in my 1995 Dodge Neon oh the good times lol

[@dickiewongtk]

I have a 2017 corolla, its good at taking me from point A to point B.

[@vic028]

Learning manual in a 04 Celica. Been ripping up my front tires just fine...

[@williamyawn2325]

Ya I switched from a Miata to a Mazdaspeed3 and the driving dynamics are very different. In the wet you still had to pay attention to the Miata if you didn’t want to spin. While I pretty much just need to watch for torque steer and understeer. Which is different for me but not as scary unless I’m on a dangerous corner.

[@Surfa333]

Completely agree with Casey , the only real advantage for fwd is where the snow pounds down faster than any human snowplower can keep up with. For example, in Chicago you can get 3 inches in what seems like only an hour. Even still, like Casey says, as long as you’re really connected to your vehicle and have proper tires-you’re good for about 90% of the time, even with over 2 inches of the snow on the ground. I started out using my dads lexus gs400 v8 when learning to drive so yeah. I learned real quick how to properly drive in the snow.

[@guyderagisch4964]

Ditto on diff and traction. I have to manage traction and think about how the diff will distribute power in a 100hp yaris with an open diff.

[@davidmadison5582]

I like rwd, awd and fwd. mid engine, and front engine. I like them all for different reasons pretty equally but I love how you can push a fwd pretty hard pretty hard comfortably. I guess I prefer under steer with the way I drive. I'm also a fan of

[@calintimar3204]

Hi! Can you make a video about how you got into racing and how does one become a race car driver ? Thanks! Love your videos!

[@CaseyPutsch]

Already did. Search it

[@klaspeppar5619]

but what if you don't have enough traction to get that weight transfer (what if it is that slippery), than the extra weight of over the axle from the engine will actually help a little.

[@outforaripper]

Look at the 220whp white Integra on dsport magazine this year. The driver enjoys it more than zl1 1le, m2. Only one second off a 911 cup car at buttonwillow. It's epic fun. 255 225 stagered setup.

[@Pirustae]

I wish VW had sold the new Scirocco in the US. Not only that but they discontinued its production altogether. To me, that's the best hatchback VW ever made.

[@heroichitsuji]

probably started cannibalising their Golf sales.

[@Pirustae]

@@heroichitsuji yeah, I've heard that excuse by VW. I'm no businessman in the automotive industry but as long various models keep being sold I wouldn't care if one model outruns the other as long as they're sold.

[@johnjacob688]

@@heroichitsuji That was one of the reasons why they didn't want ti bring it to the states.

[@terbennett]

They were pretty cool looking cars, but what killed it here in the US was the fact that the GTI 16V was roomier, more practical and faster than the Scirocco 16V. I'm not sure how tall you are but I was 16 and 6'0 tall at the time. I drove a 1986 GTI 8V (16V introduced in 1987). We were at the dealer for a recall on mine when I saw a red Scirocco 16V on the showroom floor. It was really tight on headroom. My head would slide back when I cranked open the sunroof in the Scirocco. I'll never forget it. :-)

[@paulhuthmann8824]

Hthats why i started with offroadong so i could learn how to control your vehicle ans tires with different amounts of traction and it has really helped with rainy or icy conditions. And i found fwd is what i prefer in the snow over rwd because with a lsd you gain 2 tires that spin on the ice insgead of 1. Aswell that with ixe/snow you shouldn't be going fast enough where fwd or rwd would matter as to how much traction you can get and put down.

[@MicheleBoland]

I think Top Gear did an episode about front wheel drive and rear wheel drive cars in the snow and front wheel drive cars came out on top. I think Saab success in ice racing might counter your position. For absolute performance in good traction front wheel drive will always be slower than the equivelant rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive will make you a better driver because as you said you have to find a way to get the most out of the car and not count on raw power to the track. I had a front wheel drive SVX and it was consistently faster than the all wheel driver SVXs. So here is the question, traverse front wheel drive or longitudinal? I have had both and there is a case for each depending on the type of driving. These days I do have to admit a proper big front engine rear wheel drive makes me smile the most!

[@darkic3037]

I own a Scirocco mark 3 Edition model! Its fwd and its fun!

[@luisantoniomaisonetespinos9585]

Definitely in agreement, but the Fiesta / Focus ST lift throttle oversteer is magic; go give a try! ….. don’t know how they did it. It’s almost impossible to understeer these things. …… impressive.

[@thechristiancuber2716]

When I started driving I got a rwd car and I didn’t really know what I was doing but I learned pretty fast how to not be an idiot and now that I have gotten a fwd car it’s kinda interesting but it gets old fast. You can only do so many handbrake turns before you want to put the power down in the in the back

[@VladPayne]

For a commute car FWD is a must have in the north. Remember shitloads of times my ABS went all cristmas tree lights on me when the segment of the road was not treated after a light snowfall. Looked totally normal, but was all ice clear as a mirror. You actually had more traction with tires, than trying to walk on it. I glance on outside temperature gauge in winter more often than speed. This is totally normal when living in places where you commute to work for like 30 mins and temperature changes from -4 to +5. Usually you know the segment is not treaded, because of the amount of AWD cars on the side of the road plowed through a tree

[@forresttm]

Last time i was this early.. Was never. Great work guys.

[@williambellisIII]

I've owned a 240SX and own an S2000. I've driven many RWD cars recently, including an Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW 335, C7 Vette, Lexus ISF, etc. All backroad/canyon carving stuff. And I'll tell you what, my new Civic Type R is probably the fastest of all, at least on certain roads. And it's just as engaging and fun to drive, if not more, than any of those cars. It doesn't even feel like FWD most of the time. Such a badass car!

[@sharpemang]

Idk, a Fiesta ST is pretty fun. Same with literally any 90s Honda Civic or Integra believe it or not. Even the base model Civics without the Vtec was pretty fun to throw around