RWD or AWD?

[Richan31]

Thanks Eflyguy for the input.

 

[TwinSnails]

I would get the AWD no matter where I lived, because it handles better in all conditions. That was the point of my earlier post, where I referenced the R8. I've driven that, and an AWD Lamborghini, on a race track, as well as several RWD vehicles. I've owned/own and raced other RWD vehicles. I would not choose a RWD Stinger.

I’ve driven a Viper ACR, Bentley, S4 (probably my desire above the stinger), a couple Audi TT’s.... and enjoy the RWD stinger.... is it great compared to those cars taking price out of it ... naaaa. Is it better than a charger, Camaro, 2016 mustang GT’s, A4’s.... IMHO, heck yes. 2018 Mustang GT is a phenomenal track car.

@eflyguy are you saying from your track experience you believe you could turn faster laps on the AWD stinger over the RWD? Just curious... after driving them, “I” would probably turn faster times in the RWD.

@Richan31 ... you aren’t going to wrong either way you go, but you can probably get a GT2 for almost the same price as the GT1 right now. I’ve seen GT’s locally at 35,700.

 

[Jimmer]

I’ve driven a Viper ACR, Bentley, S4 (probably my desire above the stinger), a couple Audi TT’s.... and enjoy the RWD stinger.... is it great compared to those cars taking price out of it ... naaaa. Is it better than a charger, Camaro, 2016 mustang GT’s, A4’s.... IMHO, heck yes. 2018 Mustang GT is a phenomenal track car.

I certainly like it better than the S4. For me, based on my criteria, it's way better than the S4. The Audi TT wouldn't even be an option for me to get, nor would the Viper. So, it really does depend on what you need in a vehicle.

The Stinger's strength/greatness is how many category boxes it gets checked off as being very good.

 

[eflyguy]

I’ve driven a Viper ACR, Bentley, S4 (probably my desire above the stinger), a couple Audi TT’s.... and enjoy the RWD stinger.... is it great compared to those cars taking price out of it ... naaaa. Is it better than a charger, Camaro, 2016 mustang GT’s, A4’s.... IMHO, heck yes. 2018 Mustang GT is a phenomenal track car.

Not arguing, just my perspective - my Stinger is a LOT more enjoyable on the Dragon than my daughters Challenger or Corvette due to AWD (and the transmission) - and those are the kind of roads I enjoy most. I probably added the comment about a track vehicle after you quoted my post, but I agree - RWD would be better for many tracks - although I'd not be afraid to take on any RWD Mustang on Road Atlanta or Barber..

 

[TwinSnails]

A two seater anything will NOT at this point in my life. My wife was trying to convince me I could get kids comfortably in a ZL1 Camaro... I’m 5’9” and there is NO WAY I could put my kids through that.

 

[TwinSnails]

Not arguing, just my perspective - my Stinger is a LOT more enjoyable on the Dragon than my daughters Challenger or Corvette due to AWD (and the transmission) - and those are the kind of roads I enjoy most. I probably added the comment about a track vehicle after you quoted my post, but I agree - RWD would be better for many tracks - although I'd not be afraid to take on any RWD Mustang on Road Atlanta or Barber..

I wasn’t arguing at all, I was trying to wrap my head around the “track” with AWD. The new 10 speed GT with the suspension upgrade is a beast of a ride, I’ll give to Ford. I’ve driven the 350, too... well done.

 

[Jimmer]

I want to drive the 2019 Bullitt. And since I'm sure I'll like it, I imagine I'll buy it used in about 3 years...

 

[eflyguy]

I think we're on the same page.

Ultimately all I'm trying to say is that AWD is actually exhilarating for everyday driving on dry roads as well. I can still break the back end away at will any time I want..

 

[Jimmer]

I think we're on the same page.

Ultimately all I'm trying to say is that AWD is actually exhilarating for everyday driving on dry roads as well. I can still break the back end away at will any time I want..

exactly. I LOVE how it drives, especially in Sport or Smart mode.

 

[Richan31]

Is ride quality pretty much the same with both? Also, does it cost a lot more to maintain awd vehicles?

 

[Jimmer]

Is ride quality pretty much the same with both? Also, does it cost a lot more to maintain awd vehicles?

Tire rotation is different with staggered tires. Might end up costing a bit more in the long term in that regard. And it's heavier, so probably a bit more in gas. Otherwise, not that I know of.

 

[TwinSnails]

I looked hard at a 2018 Challenger 392, two doors just won’t work, and the Stinger drives more “exotic” but still has a muscle car feel. He’s not going to be disappointed with the Stinger. Heck my wife has put more miles on it than I have. She stole it this morning

 

[TwinSnails]

Is ride quality pretty much the same with both? Also, does it cost a lot more to maintain awd vehicles?

Not that I’m aware. Probably less... the RWD will eat the tires quick. I’m at 12k miles and will need the third set of rears at ~16k. I’ll need the second set of fronts then, too.

 

[Jimmer]

Not that I’m aware. Probably less... the RWD will eat the tires quick. I’m at 12k miles and will need the third set of rears at ~16k. I’ll need the second set of fronts then, too.

But it depends on how you drive it. You must be doing some serious hard speed driving to burn up 2 sets of tires in the rear in that short of time.

Regular daily driver, GT type driving won't go through tires like that.

 

[TwinSnails]

@Jimmer I drive it quite hard. But the rear tires are only going to make it about ~ 10-12k miles for most people with the RWD.

I’d bet the AWD’s could get 16-20k out of the staggered tires and probably 15K pushing them hard.

We only see ~12k miles on a twin port Vette .

 

[Richan31]

Good to know. Seriously thanks for the different points of view and inputs guys.

 

[eflyguy]

Is ride quality pretty much the same with both? Also, does it cost a lot more to maintain awd vehicles?

Cruising or commuting there would be no difference. It's only when you get into "spirited" driving you would notice any difference and, to be honest, passengers would not know the difference. I'm massively oversimplifying here, but RWD vs AWD is essentially tail-wag oversteer vs. gentle drift. I like to say it's like being able to adjust the turn with the throttle, with no drama.

It's cheating to many. As stated earlier, I've got several RWD options to enjoy, and the AWD Stinger is my favorite.

 

[GRStinger]

Is ride quality pretty much the same with both? Also, does it cost a lot more to maintain awd vehicles?

I was all-in for AWD because of where I live / the amount snow that we get. I can't speak to the ride quality of the RWD. I tested AWD's with the 19" staggered Pilot's and the 18" squared A/S Bridgestone's. I was looking for a more compliant ride as a daily-driver. There was a noticeable difference and the 18"'s definitely suited me better. On average tires for the 18'" squared should be quite a bit cheaper over the long haul because you can do proper rotations. (A couple other things I did / will do: I bought a set of winter wheels and tires; and - because I don't like the Potenza's - I will be looking for a more performance oriented A/S once they are worn. I don't want a true summer/extreme-performance tire like the Pilot 4's because I will be driving a lot during the "shoulder season", e.g., mid-Sept to mid-Nov - before I put my winters on, and I can't have something that won't perform or possibly fail in near-or-below freezing temps.)

 

[Jimmer]

I was all-in for AWD because of where I live / the amount snow that we get. I can't speak to the ride quality of the RWD. I tested AWD's with the 19" staggered Pilot's and the 18" squared A/S Bridgestone's. I was looking for a more compliant ride as a daily-driver. There was a noticeable difference and the 18"'s definitely suited me better. On average tires for the 18'" squared should be quite a bit cheaper over the long haul because you can do proper rotations. (A couple other things I did / will do: I bought a set of winter wheels and tires; and - because I don't like the Potenza's - I will be looking for a more performance oriented A/S once they are worn. I don't want a true summer/extreme-performance tire like the Pilot 4's because I will be driving a lot during the "shoulder season", e.g., mid-Sept to mid-Nov - before I put my winters on, and I can't have something that won't perform or possibly fail in near-or-below freezing temps.)

I use the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06.

 

[GRStinger]

I use the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06.

I appreciate the referral. I will check them out when time comes. I drive a lot - I put 18K miles on the Potenza's from early-May to mid-November, so I might be in the market in the fall or following spring for sure.