Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

Original post by marymoon

Apr 26, 2005 04:15 PM

marymoon Posted: Apr 26, 2005 04:56 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

Thanks everyone. I'm starting to wonder. We started out this car search and I said I MUST have ABS, but it's making even the cheap cars expensive... I'm sure I'll let you know and show you pictures of our new/used elantra/jetta

HearzBellz Posted: Apr 26, 2005 05:01 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

I actually prefer not having ABS.... but I guess it depends onhow confident you are controlling your car in a skid or sudden stop. I definitely control my truck better without it.

marymoon Posted: Apr 26, 2005 05:03 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

I've never driven without abs..

I'm going to keep not getting ABS in mind. Thanks everyone

DjPiLL Posted: Apr 26, 2005 05:05 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

All ABS is not created equal. Some cars have much better ABS than others.

The ABS on my Audi kinda *****, but the all-wheel drive is great.

The ABS I had on my Honda and Dodge was better.

marymoon Posted: Apr 26, 2005 05:08 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

I think My ABS is good, but I have nothing to compare it to, it's the only car I've ever driven extensively.

I agree with a previous psoter, I know we also ahve rain and snow, but I always sort of assoacite 4WD with bumpy country roads and stuff

Kriss2c Posted: Apr 26, 2005 05:14 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

yes, 4WD is ideally designed for off-road or towing uses. But what many don't realize is that 4WD and AWD are two different things.

Jordan Posted: Apr 26, 2005 05:33 PM

Re: Car Poll; Do you think ABS is essential in buying a car

Posted by marymoon
I agree with a previous psoter, I know we also ahve rain and snow, but I always sort of assoacite 4WD with bumpy country roads and stuff

4WD and AWD is not the same thing, contrary to popular belief.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE:

Definition: A vehicle where all four wheels are driven, but there's no transfer case like a four-wheel drive rig. Most AWD setups are full time systems for year-round driving, and use a viscous fluid coupling center differential instead of a transfer case to route drive torque to all four wheels. This allows the front and rear wheels to turn at slightly different speeds when turning on dry pavement. Most folks do not consider this the same as four-wheel drive. It can be useful (and more fuel economical) in pavement driving where you're mainly negotiating bad weather conditions.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE:

Definition: A method of driving a vehicle by applying engine torque to all four wheels thru the use of a transfer case, differentials and hubs. Various schemes are used for 4WD including part-time, full-time and variable four-wheel drive. To help cut the drive train drag (and reduced fuel economy) that most 4WD's have, a transfer case is included that allows the driver to select either two- or four-wheel drive depending on driving conditions. Some performance cars have full-time variable four-wheel drive and use a computer-controlled transfer case to route power between the wheels.

It's important to note that even in 4WD, you still have only two driving wheels; one front; one rear. A normal passenger car is essentially one wheel drive, because the other one can slip. So a 4WD rig, with the front axle engaged, now has two wheels driving. Then if you add a locker to the rear, you've added one more wheel, to make your rig three-wheel drive. Add a locker to the front, so no tires can spin, and you have TRUE, 4-wheel drive, all four wheels driving.