the ONLY AWD auto company

[Poster]

I used to think Audi and Subaru are the only auto manufacturers producing
AWD vehicles. I mean no FWD or RWD. I'm surprised to find out on a magazine
that Audi A4 is FWD and AWD optional. Thought it's a misprint. Checked the
website and it's right. Used to tell others both are the only builders for
all line AWD vehicles. Umm.. I think Subaru is the only AWD builder on the
planet now.

 

[Nige]

I used to think Audi and Subaru are the only auto manufacturers
producing AWD vehicles. I mean no FWD or RWD. I'm surprised to find
out on a magazine that Audi A4 is FWD and AWD optional. Thought it's
a misprint. Checked the website and it's right. Used to tell others
both are the only builders for all line AWD vehicles. Umm.. I think
Subaru is the only AWD builder on the planet now.

What the hell are you on about? I reckon 80% of Audis' cars are fwd? Quattro is an option of some models,
what made you think they are all 4wd?

 

[LB]

you can buy AWD Passat as an option

What the hell are you on about? I reckon 80% of Audis' cars are fwd?
Quattro is an option of some models, what made you think they are all 4wd?

--
Subaru WRX
Range Rover LSE (Bob)

'"gimme the f*ckin' money"

 

[l.lichtman]

I think the OP meant that Subaru is the only maker producing ONLY all
wheel drive cars. Okay but I don't see why that matters.

 

[Bruce Hoult]

I think the OP meant that Subaru is the only maker producing ONLY all
wheel drive cars. Okay but I don't see why that matters.

What about Hummer then, eh?

 

[Bonehenge]

you can buy AWD Passat as an option

VW and Audi share lots of parts these days.

 

[MK IV]

It matters if you're looking for expertise in AWD car design and
engineering.

What about Hummer then, eh?

"Cars" dude, all wheel drive "cars"...

 

[Jerseyj]

It matters if you're looking for expertise in AWD car design and
engineering.

A company that only does AWD equates only to experience, not neccesarily
expertise in anything. There are plenty of companies that produce only
one item, but the product isn't all that good. There are also many
companies that produce many types of products some of which are
excellent and where there IS in house expertise. I'd be more interested
in the historical product quality as an indicator of expertise.

 

[Michael Pardee]

A company that only does AWD equates only to experience, not neccesarily
expertise in anything. There are plenty of companies that produce only
one item, but the product isn't all that good. There are also many
companies that produce many types of products some of which are
excellent and where there IS in house expertise. I'd be more interested
in the historical product quality as an indicator of expertise.

That pretty much sums up why I'm here - I don't have a Subaru but am likely
to be evaluating cars when my new son-in-law starts driving (yep... 22 yrs
old and doesn't drive yet). I have made the mistake of buying used cars and
*then* learning what everybody who owns them already knows. I hope to get
that right this time.

BTW, I rarely buy cars with less than 100K miles on them. My theory is that
at 50K it is hard to tell how they have been treated; at 100K it is hard to
hide. Any decent modern car is good for at least 200K miles, if only because
that is part of my requirement for deciding which cars are decent, so the
likelihood of getting 50-100K miles of good service out of a 100K car is
better than out of a 50K... as long as the buyer is a hard-core DIYer.

Anyway, AWD is the reason Subarus have my attention - this is a snow and ice
area - but I'm looking for known problem areas (every car has them) and
"watch out for"s.

Mike

 

[Tom Reingold]

That pretty much sums up why I'm here - I don't have a Subaru but am likely
to be evaluating cars when my new son-in-law starts driving (yep... 22 yrs
old and doesn't drive yet). I have made the mistake of buying used cars and
*then* learning what everybody who owns them already knows. I hope to get
that right this time.

BTW, I rarely buy cars with less than 100K miles on them. My theory is that
at 50K it is hard to tell how they have been treated; at 100K it is hard to
hide. Any decent modern car is good for at least 200K miles, if only because
that is part of my requirement for deciding which cars are decent, so the
likelihood of getting 50-100K miles of good service out of a 100K car is
better than out of a 50K... as long as the buyer is a hard-core DIYer.

Anyway, AWD is the reason Subarus have my attention - this is a snow and ice
area - but I'm looking for known problem areas (every car has them) and
"watch out for"s.

Mike

I suppose just about every invention has at least one Achilles' heel.
I've learned from this newsgroup is that the head gasket problem of
recent Subaru models is one of the most serious. And that there are
precautions available.

I'm a new Subaru owner and mostly satisfied. I got a 2000 Legacy L wagon
(non-Outback) in March. It rides harder than I like, but the handling is
better than any car I've owned. The seats are lousy, but I might change
them one day. So far, the repair record has been very good. I did manage
to drive in heavy, wet snow soon after I bought the car, and it did
admirably. I tried to get it to slip around and didn't have much
success. And this is on lousy "all-season" tires. In December, I'll be
putting snows on.

 

[Michael Pardee]

I suppose just about every invention has at least one Achilles' heel. I've
learned from this newsgroup is that the head gasket problem of recent
Subaru models is one of the most serious. And that there are precautions
available.

Do you know about when the head gasket problems started to appear? And what
sort of precautions?

Mike

 

[Tom Reingold]

Do you know about when the head gasket problems started to appear? And what
sort of precautions?

Mike

I don't remember. I really ought to, since I have a 2000, and I know
it's in the affected list of model years.

I suggest you start a new thread with a different subject line, asking
about head gaskets.

 

[Doug Warner]

It matters if you're looking for expertise in AWD car design and
engineering.

But aren't all Subarus' AWD systems of the type that drive the front
wheels only until they slip, then they apply torque to the rears
(Part-Time AWD.)

 

[Richard Chang]

But aren't all Subarus' AWD systems of the type that drive the front
wheels only until they slip, then they apply torque to the rears
(Part-Time AWD.)

NO.

 

[Tom Reingold]

But aren't all Subarus' AWD systems of the type that drive the front
wheels only until they slip, then they apply torque to the rears
(Part-Time AWD.)

Most definitely not. Hmm, I can just imagine someone jacking up the
front end of his car and putting it in gear and seeing the car drive off
the jack stands!

Anyway, I don't see the original point of the thread. It seems to imply
that to be an expert, AWD has to be your only design. Then if you want a
turbocharger, should you only buy a Saab, because Saab is the only
company that makes all turbocharged cars? (At least they were. I don't
know about now.)

 

[Paul]

But aren't all Subarus' AWD systems of the type that drive the front
wheels only until they slip, then they apply torque to the rears
(Part-Time AWD.)

This is true for non-turbo automatic Impreza's, automatic
non-GT Legacies, and automatic Foresters, to name most of
them.

 

[Orienteer]

This is true for non-turbo automatic Impreza's, automatic
non-GT Legacies, and automatic Foresters, to name most of
them.

It's not actually. The proportion of drive to the rear wheels varies, but is
never zero unless the AWD fuse is inserted to disconnect the rear drive.

 

[Wandering Willy]

This is true for non-turbo automatic Impreza's, automatic
non-GT Legacies, and automatic Foresters, to name most of
them.

No it isn't. They are full time awd. Read and understand. As
pennance for being uninformed and trying to spread misinformation, you
are required to submit a 300 word essay on the technical aspects of
the Subaru AWD system. Or, as an alternative, do not speak on
subjects you do not understand.

 

[lkreh]

You're right. Being the only company to have AWD as a standard feature
on all models is a cool distinction, but it doesn't mean that you make
the best AWD system. As it happens, Subaru's AWD is excellent, but I
don't know that it's the best.

BTW, does Land Rover/Range Rover offer any 2WD models?

 

[Paul]

No it isn't. They are full time awd. Read and understand. As
pennance for being uninformed and trying to spread misinformation, you
are required to submit a 300 word essay on the technical aspects of
the Subaru AWD system. Or, as an alternative, do not speak on
subjects you do not understand.

OK, how about you describe to us how these automatics implement
their AWD ? I've got the service manual here so I can verify
your answer