2wd Or 4wd Which To Buy.

[Blitz_boy]

Hi guys,

I want to buy a series 2 Stagea and I was thinking of buying a 2WD model instead of the conventional 4WD.

I want people’s opinion on weather this model is less desirable and if a 2WD model would have a worse resale value in the future.

I personally would like the fact that it would be lighter and be able to break traction if I like

What do you think??

[GorGasm]

The only downside ive had with my turbo RWD is that suspension parts are less well known. Other than thats its faster and lighter and costs about the same.

[3intheBack]

Mines 2WD and it's awesome on a wet skidpan. However on the road there's nothing like the confidence inspired by 4WD in the wet.

But then why does it seem everyone with 4WD spends ages trying to work out how to disconnect it.

Either way less dissappation of power through the gearbox means more power to the ground

[jasevr4]

I thought the RWD was only sold as a RB25DE?

[Terminal]

no, you get the RWD in RB25DET. it's the RS or RS-V

the non turbo is a 25X or 25G depending on AWD or RWD

[AlexCim]

If i was to get a stagea again, id keep the 4WD IF I couldnt get a manual. If i was to buy a manual car, id probably lean towards the RWD.

I really do enjoy the sliding around bit. I am still young guys

[munchstagea]

4WD is a big part of the attraction for me, I can't wait to take advantage of it in the wet! On the flip side, I think it could turn you into a lazy driver, if you stepped back into a RWD and had the same attitude, the first time the back end stepped out, you would be like "Ooops!" It's really there to create a much safer car, unlike GTR's that need it too get the power down.

[EGA41T]

The manual model is only available in 4WD...so i say get 4WD

[66yostagea]

To satisfy everyone Nissan could regress twenty years and fit manual locks on the fronts, or backs, then pick your poison.

[GoldZilla]

Anyone with a manual (Ska, EGA41T) can attest that even with AWD, the car can be convinced to slide a little with a stab of the pedal.

The beauty of it is that as the drive is gradually distributed to the front, the car kinda pulls itself straight, which makes it fun and pretty safe even in the wet.

Not too sure if the autos behave the same way, because I haven't driven or been in one.

[ian]

As a few of you know, I've got a R34 GTX Turbo (RWD, NEO) and the series 2 S Stagea (AWD, NEO)..

so a few comments - remember both cars have the same engine, so looking at the weight and the AWD vs RWD.

You do notice the extra weight in the Stagea, it is 200kg heaver, and my understanding is that 150Kg of that is the AWD. It's not quite as 'nimble' around corners, and stop start traffic pushes the fuel consumption up a bit faster.

The positive is the AWD, and I do mean positive. In the WET there is absolutely no comparison, if I turn off the traction control in the GTX, I'll slide even going around a roundabout with a bit of power. Even in a straight line, with 255/40 tires on at the back, you simply have to be careful putting your foot down from a standing start at the lights, as the back wheels will just spin…

In the DRY, there is less of a difference - the GTX gets the power to the road in a straight line. The corners are still a bit different though, the back of the GTX (assuming traction control is off) will still step out very easily if you put your foot down, where the AWD nicely sends power to the front wheels as well..

So you sort of have to decide what type of driving you want to be doing.. If you want to fish tail around the corners sideways, get the RWD. If you want to drive and have the car stick to the road like it is on tracks, get the AWD.

Ian

[ian]

4WD is a big part of the attraction for me, I can't wait to take advantage of it in the wet! On the flip side, I think it could turn you into a lazy driver, if you stepped back into a RWD and had the same attitude, the first time the back end stepped out, you would be like "Ooops!" It's really there to create a much safer car, unlike GTR's that need it too get the power down.

- one last thing, munchdesign has a point - if I've been driving the stagea for a week or so, then step into the GTX, I have to be very very very very carefull......

[CruiseLiner]

4wd for sure, best of both worlds.

i'd only go 2wd if u plan on leaving it pretty stock standard as bigger power upgrades will mean u cant get traction as easy.

so just depends on your expected power output i reckon, no point having 4wd if u only stock.

i must admit with my rs four in 2wd (front driveshaft removed) with 350rwhp didnt really spin much at all, compared to the same setup in a rwd commodore which smoked tyres at any speed, any gear. must be alot better suspension designs

cheers

[ian]

that may be (ie it is a better setup than a commondore!), by my R34 has a better setup than the stagea S2 S (bigger brakes for a start etc etc), and with the same engine it just can not get the power to the road in the wet in the same way - and I'm talking about ordinary town driving, not out on a race track...

I think if you are going for a stagea - ie a wagon - get the AWD!!!

Although there was one thing I forgot to mention, the GTX has a much better turning circle (as it doesn't have the front wheel drive in the way) It's pretty noticeable, as my stagea is 4.80m long, and has a turning radius of 5.7m, where as my skyline is 4.705m long (ie only about 10 cm shorter) but has a turning radius of 5.1m..

That's 10cm shorter, but a massive 1.2m small turning diameter, which is pretty noticeable around town when you are U turning on side streets!

Looking up the stagea series 2 RWD models, they have a turning radius of 5.2m - so require a meter less road to turn on the a AWD version....

Ian

[Blitz_boy]

Thanks for all your feedback guys. I was particularly interested that the turning circle was smaller in the 2WD model.

Part of the appeal of the 2WD model was the lower fuel consumption due to it being lighter. Damn petrol prices

I think I'll go with the 4WD model as I do go skiing every year.

[ian]

I think I'll go with the 4WD model as I do go skiing every year.

On a wet or icy road there is no comparison...

Ian

ps Drive to the snow? I haven't bothered going skiing in Aus for a few decades, as we don't really get 'snow' here.. (if the 'snow' feels wet, or is hard - or the temperature has got above -5 in the last week, it ain't really snow...). I know, I've spent too much time in Japan and Canada...