2006-12-09 03:52:58 · 11 answers · asked by freelancer262000 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Other - Car Makes
They haven't. Large cars and trucks are rearwheel drive.
In small to midsize cars and some small trucks they did because it was more cost effective to put the engine and transmission in together and it also allowed for more intuitive front end designs as well as a roomier passenger compartment. The hump that ran the length of the cabin area was for the driveshaft and the exhaust pipe, now only the exhaust pipe needs to be there.
2006-12-09 03:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by Archer Christifori 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are still rear wheel drive cars out there - new. However, I believe that the front wheel drive is a little safer on wet roads due to the fact that it has the engine weight to help keep the car steady.
2006-12-09 03:56:20 · answer #2 · answered by kny390 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is still rear wheel drive cars made IE: Ford Mustang, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Most European and Japanese full size luxury cars and Lincoln Town Car to name a few.
2006-12-09 05:55:55 · answer #3 · answered by G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They haven't completley done away with them. There are still a few such as mustangs, all trucks and Ferrari's and such. Front wheel drive cars get better traction on snow and ice due to the engines weight being over the front wheels. They also resist oversteer like a real wheel drive will on either slick or curvy roads. they aslo get better mileage due to the fact that they are lighter because they don't have a driveshaft running the length or the car and it uses less power to pull a car than to push one.
2006-12-09 04:31:03 · answer #4 · answered by vaderismydog2006 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The real answer is in cost of production. In a rear drive car you need to place the engine, tranny and other components in separately and before the body goes on. In a front driver all the components are in one piece and the car is literally dropped on top of the drive train in on nice easy step.
2006-12-11 10:40:20 · answer #5 · answered by burnt_rubber650 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gas mileage ,plus the cost of making a rear drive car is much higher. The goverment mandates car companies all over fuel economy for entire fleet be a certain figure,its called CAFE corp average fuel economy.in other words you have to sell a lot of 4 cyl cars to be able to have 19 mpg suv,s I was told this by GM reps and guess it makes sense.
2006-12-09 08:19:07 · answer #6 · answered by deltech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I only buy rear drive cars. There are a number available...typically in the mid to luxury or 'performance class.
2006-12-09 05:06:55 · answer #7 · answered by homerunhitter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one word (cheaper) rear wheel is making a come back, they found the front wheel drive tires work to hard steering, traction, weight while the back tires only hold the back end up.
2006-12-09 04:13:04 · answer #8 · answered by bungee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THEY DIDN'T!!!!
Vehicles come in :
rear wheel drive
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
4 wheel drive
2006-12-10 03:39:20 · answer #9 · answered by Vicky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the biggest reasons was to try and save on fuel! It takes alot less energy to pull a car than push it down the road!
2006-12-09 04:07:29 · answer #10 · answered by dr.dave 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋