From: "Robert Comer" 

Snow, that's where Subaru's excel. (not bad on rain soaked roads like
around here either.)

They are also fun to drive on the edge, even without 300HP.  True a sports
car would be more fun, but they can't do snow and they cost more.  (not to
mention they aren't AWD unless it's a Quattro.)

- Bob Comer


"Paul Ranson"  wrote in message
news:3ece5bce$1{at}w3.nls.net...
> Things where you have to select four wheel drive need another name. 'Crap'
> perhaps....
>
> The Subaru implementation is fine, whatever one calls it. You get
> effectively front wheel drive with power distributed to the rear as
> necessary and without too much inefficiency. However I'm not sure there's
> any point unless you have 300BHP or do a lot of work on muddy fields.
>
> Paul
>
> "Robert Comer"  wrote in message
> news:3ece3b8e$1{at}w3.nls.net...
> > > Most Subarus are actually not permanent 4WD - the other axle is
coupled
> in
> > > when one slips
> >
> > Actually they are AWD, not 4WD, in normal driving its 90% front, 10%
back
> > and only when one or more wheels start slipping does it get distributed
> > differently.  It's actually a very nice predictable handling system,
> almost
> > neutral cornering which I like very much, and having the added bonus of
> > handling bad roads better than any 2WD.
> >
> > >(or, on at least one early model, when the windscreen wipers
> > > are switched on).
> >
> > Well, it is electrically controlled, so I guess I'm not surprised. (you
> can
> > disable the rear wheel drive by pulling a fuse)
> >
> > > I would have leapt on this a year or two back, but now
> > > some of the downmarket "el cheapo" Audis (like the
TT) work  the same
> way.
> >
> > I don't think that's available here.
> >
> > As for reliability, 145Kmiles and still going, no major repairs and very
> few
> > wear and tear ones. (1 wheel rear bearing, and the other side will need
it
> > now, rear wheel bearings are particularly a problem on Subaru's for some

> > reason. 1 set of tires and a battery.)
> >
> > - Bob Comer
> >
> >
> >
> > "Phil Payne"  wrote in message
> > news:3ECE3625.B5B6CFEF{at}isham-research.com...
> > > > I'm not sure I'd compare the two, different markets, different
setup,
> > > > different everything except that all 4 wheels are
powered.  (The WRX
I
> > guess
> > > > would compete in market though, but that's a small minority of
> Subaru's,
> > > > most are Outbacks these days.)
> > >
> > > WRXs don't last - the Germans won't touch them because they fall apart
> on
> > > the Autobahns.  I suppose where the maximum they will ever see is
80mph
> > > that's not an issue.  They're very common here - in fact there are
three
> > > parked in my street.
> > >
> > > Most Subarus are actually not permanent 4WD - the other axle is
coupled
> in
> > > when one slips (or, on at least one early model, when the windscreen
> > wipers
> > > are switched on).  I would have leapt on this a year or two back, but
> now
> > > some of the downmarket "el cheapo" Audis (like the
TT) work  the same
> way.
> > >
> > > --
> > >   Phil Payne
> > >   http://www.isham-research.com
> > >   +44 7785 302 803
> > >   +49 173 6242039
> >
> >
>

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