"Subaru's all-wheel drive, Audi's Quattro, or Honda's own version of the Pilot and Acura MDX represent the forefront."

As the article briefly mentions, these are exceptions to the rule. I drive a Subaru non-SUV and the All-Wheel Drive makes a significant difference on roads. It's also (IMHO) much safer in situations where you might hydroplane.

Posted by: Jack on July 29, 2002 11:51 PM

 

I drive a 4WD and I need it. Yes, as Jack started, 4WD does make a difference on the roads especially where I live. I drive my truck on the backroads of the mountains to go camping, on the dunes of the beach to go swimming and on the icey roads of the pass to go snowboarding. I have tried to take 2WDs to those places with friends and believe me, it doesn't work. If I didn't have 4WD I wouldn't be making this comment post because I'd either be stuck in a muddy rut or motor-deep in the sand or lodged into some snowbank. Food for thought.

Posted by: Nick Finck on July 30, 2002 01:31 AM

 

I'm surprised this article didn't mention the number of 4WD vehicles that *never* get shifted into 4WD. I can't find the source but I know the 4WD community commonly throws around 95%.

Disclaimer - I'm a Jeep nut. I've owned one for 16 years and have driven it in some of the harder places that the 4WD magazines cover. I've even rolled it..:)

Yes, there are some folks like Jack who truly do need and use 4WD. But overall I'd agree with the article - and the 95% figure.

Even here in snowy West Michigan I always advocate front wheel drive over 4WD for most folks. 4WD gives a false sense of security - you can take off quicker, have better visibility, etc. But you can't stop any quicker and the higher center of gravity is a tradeoff. I sure hear of more wintertime rollovers these days - and I suspect the higher number of SUV's is the cause.

I've always wanted to do a "man on the street" type thing and stop SUV owners and quiz them on their vehicles - how does it go in and out of 4WD, and when should you use it? I'll be it would be fun...:)

It's all a marketing/status thing (c'mon, a Lexus SUV? A Cadillac Suburban?) and for most people isn't based on actuall need.

Posted by: Mike Boyink on July 30, 2002 10:48 AM

 

Speaking of Jeeps...A Clever Web Site: ollllo.com

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on July 30, 2002 10:57 AM

 

Ahh..yea. We've talked about that site before.

That URL bugs me - cute, but it doesn't have the same number of grill slats as the real thing, so how does one remember (or guess) it? The Jeep grill design is a closely protected trademark of DC, I'll bet these guys were scared to use the full 7 grill bars.

While you found the site clever, John, my feeling is that there is nothing besides a "cute" URL to distinguish it from other more popular Jeep sites like
http://www.pirate4x4.com
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com
http://www.ilovejeeps.com

I spend a ton of time "online Jeeping" through mailing lists and web-based BBS, and this site has never come up in passing or as a reference for a question asked.

On the contrary, what I would consider the "grandaddy" of Jeep websites is neither cute nor clever, nor groundbreaking in it's design. But it's *the* online early Jeep reference due to it's well written, consistent, quality, researched content. This is a site that the guys writing the Jeep history books contribute to and reference.

And it has succeeded in spite of not having a cute (or even tolerable) URL: http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/

Posted by: Mike Boyink on July 30, 2002 01:06 PM

 

I do think that 4WD which is always on, or has to be manually engaged is stupid for a car that is on the road 99.99% of the time.

However, on the road, I think AWD is the way to go! I have a Subaru Forrester, and the AWD really makes a difference in the rain or snow, especially in New England winters. I still get 25 mi/gal and can haul 8 ft. long lumber inside the car.

-Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Albro on July 31, 2002 12:04 AM