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Why FWD?
Cheaper to manufacture and install during vehicle assembly. Period. An entire drivetrain can be assembled, packed in a container and shipped to the assembly plant where it will be uncrated and plugged into a chassis. Next. In the '80's, when manufacturers really started pushing FWD I recall the "High Performance Advantage" hype. Didn't buy it then, don't buy it now. See my first sentence. Not saying FWD cars aren't performance cars, just that they aren't better or worse than RWD.
Advantages of better traction in snow are correct in my experience but I have to ask why countries that deal with snow regularly had been building RWD cars for ages. Volvo, BMW, Volkswagen and Fiat come to mind.
Regarding your purchasing a 855t, DO IT! I bought my '95 a couple of weeks ago and LOVE IT! Knowing the car's maintenance history is critical. You'll find lot's of information here and at Ozbrick and Volvospeed but my opinion regarding the problems listers bring up here, while common to the model, probably represent a small percentage of the 850's out there. Think about it. If you loved your car and had no problems, would you look for a webforum just to tell others you're happy and motoring along? I never looked for a Nissan Sentra website just to say that in 186,000 miles all I had to do is put tires, brakes plugs and change oil in it. Sorry, I digress.
I stumbled across BrickBoard during the course of researching my purchase which took most of a year. No regrets. My lifters tap occasionally but other than that, the only issues I have with my 77,000 mile 855t are extremely minor. Loose mudflap, missing battery clamp, noisy headlamp wiper motor.
Happy Hunting!
Erwin in Memphis
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