AWD vs FWD trying to decide
- Thread author FordRN
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Wildcatt76
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I personally wouldn’t spend extra for AWD unless her travel plans put her in snowy/muddy conditions on a regular basis. Certainly the FWD is plenty capable.
- Thread author
- #3
Ok perfect. That’s exactly what I was thinking to say some money. I put a deposit on a SX model so they would hold it until I can get there on Friday. Then got notified the same color combination was coming in at another Florida dealer. So it had me waivering.
Luckyguy0097
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AWDs are overrated. Only required in very specific cases. Good decision FordRN
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Tellmeride
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"AWDs are overrated"
Get back to me when you are in a blizzard going up a hill in a FWD.
Get back to me when you are in a blizzard going up a hill in a FWD.
Cromusz
New member
"Only required in very specific cases"
"lists a very specific case"
I agree that OP should be fine in Florida with FWD.
"lists a very specific case"
I agree that OP should be fine in Florida with FWD.
blitt
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AWD .....IS important, beneficial, etc. WHEN you need it, and that can be snow, mud, wet roads, who knows what.......I think if i lived in Fla. I probably would pass, but anywhere else......NOPE!
I live in MN. Every car I own for the rest of my life will be AWD- even if I live in Florida. It makes a difference even in rain, so to me it is worth it - although, I agree FWD is probably fine.
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AWD helps you accelerate in inclement weather. AWD gives no advantage to braking over FWD. In southern states they don’t typically treat roads and the few times you have icy roads you will be virtually the same for braking with either with just good quality tires. In FL save your money and chances are Kia is selling more FWD anyway and shipping AWD north. The weight of the engine over the front axle is more than likely just the same for typical driving conditions.
DJGBerg
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I live in Louisiana but want the preside package so kinda no way out of AWD but I like the way AWD handled in past vehicles and it helps with resale
Unless someone can't afford the extra $2,000, there is no legitimate reason not to get AWD in my eyes. AWD is one feature on a vehicle that holds more value than any other feature/component.
AWD helps your handling in all driving and road conditions, even dry.
Florida rain often comes down in buckets. AWD would be a huge bonus in rain.
Driving your Telly on the beach? Another surface where AWD will be a big bonus.
Driving on a dirt road? AWD is best.
Roads icy? Stay home no matter what drive system you have!
Of the $2,000 spent up-front for AWD, you will maintain at least 50%, if not 75% of that value when you sell or trade over the FWD version.
For example, I paid an extra $2,046 (invoice) for my 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD in Texas. This AWD version had an extra rebate of $1,000, so my net extra up-front cost was $1,046. Currently, my AWD GT2 has an NADA Retail value of $38,100. The identical version without AWD NADA Retail value is $36,525. My AWD is worth $1,575 more or 72% of original retail value retained. These NADA values are for the great state of Texas, where many people will say AWD isn't needed.....
If you worry about fuel economy, the difference is negligible. In the real-world, it is less than 1mpg. At current prices, at 1 mpg lower mpg over 1,000 miles, you'll spend an extra $3.88 for fuel.....That is .00388 more per mile driven.
How much is safety or human life worth? What is the value of doing everything you can to avoid a permanent disability, or death, from an auto accident you could've prevented?
AWD helps your handling in all driving and road conditions, even dry.
Florida rain often comes down in buckets. AWD would be a huge bonus in rain.
Driving your Telly on the beach? Another surface where AWD will be a big bonus.
Driving on a dirt road? AWD is best.
Roads icy? Stay home no matter what drive system you have!
Of the $2,000 spent up-front for AWD, you will maintain at least 50%, if not 75% of that value when you sell or trade over the FWD version.
For example, I paid an extra $2,046 (invoice) for my 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD in Texas. This AWD version had an extra rebate of $1,000, so my net extra up-front cost was $1,046. Currently, my AWD GT2 has an NADA Retail value of $38,100. The identical version without AWD NADA Retail value is $36,525. My AWD is worth $1,575 more or 72% of original retail value retained. These NADA values are for the great state of Texas, where many people will say AWD isn't needed.....
If you worry about fuel economy, the difference is negligible. In the real-world, it is less than 1mpg. At current prices, at 1 mpg lower mpg over 1,000 miles, you'll spend an extra $3.88 for fuel.....That is .00388 more per mile driven.
How much is safety or human life worth? What is the value of doing everything you can to avoid a permanent disability, or death, from an auto accident you could've prevented?
blitt
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Well said......there may come a day when all vehicles are AWD....but absolutely needed in Florida? No.
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Not quite sure I get that argument. By that logic Kia should be Subaru and tell everyone what they want. AWD is just another option just like all the others that some see value where others see as unneeded expense.
It’s not as straightforward that there is true value. Just google “is AWD worth it” and you’ll see the same debate posted in articles by some major car buying research sites and related news articles.
Just by your statement I can tell we are different buyers, which is okay. I can afford it but I don’t think it is worth it to me mainly because I think the improved handling is negligible especially with all the other standard safety features included. I also don’t lease and keep my vehicles until the odometer is well into 6 digits so residual value is a non factor in my buying because I want as many years and miles from my vehicle at the lowest purchase price. I can also afford an SXP which I think is an awesome value, but I am happier with my S FWD 7pass because it think it provides me the best value for my buying needs. I just know that I will accelerate more slowly in snow or heavy rain a couple days of the year. If AWD improved my braking I would probably change my mind for $2K because I feel more accidents happen when trying to avoid an accident.
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No disagreements.
You did neglect the “driving feel” part. That comes from the ability to distribute power to various wheels at various times. This is a pretty noticeable AWD advantage in smaller, sport sedans. Probably not as impactful in this size/class and with the lower power level of the Telluride.
I can comment more on this if/when my order ever arrives.
Totally agree. I’m responding on an iPhone 6s and I get that some people would prefer a larger screen and more bells and whistles which, admittedly, I might enjoy at times. But I would rather save the extra hundreds in cost get most of the same functionality in the same IOS as a bigger phone while still fitting my phone in my pocket easily. But hey more options means you have more buyers, so I get it.
But I also recognize that I no longer live in New England so there are buyers driving in different conditions than I do on a more frequent basis. But I’m response to the original post on this thread, my NC weather is closer to FL.
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Huh 😆
Did you respond the the right comment?
Same thing happened to me a month back. I’m claiming forum gremlin!
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??? Just sharing my perspective, isn’t that what a forum can be used for? I don’t understand why someone posts a thread asking for buying opinions and some people post their opinions on some topics but respond with absolutes like “everyone should buy AWD.” That comes across as diminishing the discussion.
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What does iPhone screen size have to do with this?
I don’t get it.
My point is that it’s an option and some people prefer newer, bigger, more expensive. But not everyone sees value in the same thing. AWD vs FWD is an option that some people pay a premium for and others choose not to. Kia decided to offer the choice so it would not turn off some buyers. In the same way that some people see residual value when selling or trading an AWD vehicle down the road, some used car buyers avoid used AWD vehicles because they are in a budget or see the drawbacks of maintenance costs.
If you're debating AWD vs FWD, then I believe the answer for you is AWD. There really is no downside to choosing AWD if money is not a part of your decision. I don't think you would regret your decision in favor of AWD, but you may if you decide on FWD. For most buyers they've made that buying decision before arriving at the dealership.
