fordfan102

Cut Bank, Montana? I use to work up in the NW part of the state (Kalispell/Columbia Falls area) while living in the SW part of the state also awhile back. Couldn't agree more. Those are some deadly brutal conditions and very dangerous roads up there. Even in the SW part of the state the conditions were absolutely extremely brutal sometimes. Very beautiful state at the same time though.

Come on man... comments like this are clearly not conducive to a respectable conversation. I was in a hurry to get to a meeting for pete's sake.... sheez. Look... we are on the same side... we are both proud Ford Edge Limited owners (both Sterling Gray fans too I might add). If you read my last post you would have seen that I gave AWD it's props. It's personal decision. Some want to spend the money on it and some don't. If some of my opinion came off the wrong way towards you... my bad. I certainly didn't have the intention of offending you. All I was trying to do was state my opinion on what I thought were my experiences between the two since I have owned more AWD vehicles than FWD vehicles over the past 12 years or so. Again, all I was getting at was that AWD didn't make a single drab of difference for me over the years in all of the extreme winter locations that I have lived in.... but that doesn't mean I am knocking it by any means. Nor does it mean that it might not be a good choice for other people who choose that feature. I lived in Lincolnshire IL for 5 years, and those years were probably the best of winter conditions from the places I've lived in the Northern part of the country. Having said that, FWD did me superb in all locations I have been in, as did my previous AWD. AWD is there for those who choose that feature. I agree that 1-3 mpg less isn't too bad. Also, the fact that multiple dealers I have spoken with have had more AWD vehicles in for repairs than FWD vehicles due to the additional mechanical components was certainly not a deciding factor for me either. It's just simply that I have owned many AWD and FWD vehicles over the years and the difference was very minimal even in the worst conditions. Maybe I am a bit of an overly conscientious driver but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Whether someone owns an AWD or FWD vehicle, it is important to drive safely every second you are in the vehicle. There is no denying that there may be some degree of added benefit for the AWD feature, otherwise they wouldn't charge an extra 2 grand for it. It is great that people have the option to choose whether or not they want to pay for that feature on their vehicle. Regardless, whomever may be reading this post in considering a new Ford Edge purchase, please always drive safe whichever option you choose to purchase. The Ford Edge is a great vehicle!

Very sorry you feel this way, sir. As I mentioned in my initial post, I have lived in the most brutal winter climates in the Northern parts country over the years, and do not joy ride around the block in the rain. I've even ridden my harley on road trips through sudden unexpected cold rainstorms. Therefore, your sarcasm about riding around the block in the rain with the wife in the car was not necessary. All I meant by my post was that it is great that the AWD feature is there for those that may need it (or at least feel like they need it); but in all of my driving experience in the Northern winters we did not need it. I have owned a 2008 Edge with the AWD feature and a couple of other newer vehicles with the AWD feature. The new 2010 FWD Edge we have now drives supremely in all conditions, as did the AWD 2008 Edge we owned before trading it for this one. In my post I also simply mentioned the lesser fuel economy (which isn't that big of a deal) and potentially more mechanical problems with the AWD due to the more complex mechanical drive train on the AWD models (this info was even given to us by the service dept manager at the dealership). However, overall the AWD feature WILL likely help counter slippage on slick roads if accidentally overdriving the conditions, and will help in starting out slightly quicker from a stopped position. Rear wheel drive vehicles in snow and ice are a whole different story, but the AWD and FWD Ford Edge have both been great vehicles that I have owned. It's just simply that having owned both AWD's and FWD's before in the nasty winter climates we live in (both with hills in a rural setting and in the city), the FWD does superb and we just didn't want to shell out another 2 grand for another AWD when we did not need it from prior experiences in ownership. This doesn't mean that it is wrong for anyone who chooses the AWD. They are both great vehicles and each one is there for those to choose the one that they feel more comfortable with. Again, both superb vehicles and we love our current Edge, and loved our prior Edge. Before purchasing our 2010 Ford Edge Limited FWD we test drove many different vehicles multiple times including the Lexus GX09, Audi Q7, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX-7, Toyota Venza, and the Nissan Murano. After driving all of these vehicles, we still went back to the Ford Edge Limited FWD for our purchase. Even for the drastic price increase of the Lexus and Audi, the Edge felt much more comfortable in ride and handling. The same with the Lincoln. Even though the MKX is almost the same (but more spiffed up) shell as the Edge, the Edge was hands down the better handling vehicle... strange but true. The Murano wasn't bad, but not as good as the Edge. The Toyota Venza felt way too stiff around town, but rolled around corners too much on the interstate which was strange. The Mazda CX-7 was the least favorite of the bunch.... it just didn't perform as well in any category. In summary people, buy what you want whether it be AWD or FWD. Everybody has an opinion, but the only one that matters is your own. Buy what you feel comfortable with. Enjoy and be safe!

LOL. Love this intense debate. As an extreme auto guy, I will have to add my 2 cents in to this topic. I have lived between the Northwest and Northcentral part of the U.S. for life (again, many many years) near the Canadian border in easily some of the most brutal winters this country has to offer. I know this may touch a nerve with some, but it is a fact: If you cannot drive with FWD you should not be on the road. If you need the personal 'feel better' purchase of the AWD for the large sum of $2000 plus, that is perfectly acceptable. However, AWD does very little in improving driving ability of a vehicle over a FWD vehicle. You need to drive for the conditions. AWD might help you get rolling a second or two earlier from a stoplight or a stopped position, but that is about it. $2000 for this feature is a major upsell by the auto industry similar to how concession stands at movie theatres upsell popcorn and soft drinks. A great 'feel good' feature, but certainly not respectable to the price for the product. 4WD vehicles..... certainly yes.... very worth the money. AWD vehicles... 100 percent not worth it unless money is no object and $2000 can be thrown around with no hesitation. As for resale, nope. AWD will do for resale value the same as FWD will do for resale..... book value of the vehicle at time of sale or trade in respect to price paid for vehicle at at initial purchase. AWD is NOT going to give you some magic increase in value over other FWD vehicles. You paid more for that feature when buying it so you might get a little more when trading it. I have owned a couple AWD vehicles most recently my last 2008 Ford Edge (wife wanted the AWD). After loving the Edge for 2 years we have traded it for a new 2010 Ford Edge FWD. We have noticed absolutely NO improvements in handling. The FWD performs just as nice as our AWD did, other than being able to start at one or two split seconds earlier from a stopped position in extremely icy conditions. My wife is a very conservative and nervous driver (and yes we have small children that ride in it) and even she admitted there isn't any difference at all from our previous AWD Edge and our new FWD Edge. She finally believes me that we didn't need to waste the $2000 on the AWD upsell feature and are happy to use that huge amount of money towards other great things. Also, a few miles per gallon less driving and a huge probability of additional maintenance problems/costs for the AWD mechanical system just no way in heck it's worth it. The good thing about upsells though, is that they are available to those that need the 'feel good' feature and have lots of extra money to spend.