1982 Ford Fairlane vs. 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit

To start off, 1982 Ford Fairlane is newer by 4 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit would be higher. At 4,093 cc (6 cylinders), 1982 Ford Fairlane is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1982 Ford Fairlane (125 HP @ 3600 RPM) has 55 more horse power than 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit. (70 HP @ 5800 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1982 Ford Fairlane should accelerate faster than 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1982 Ford Fairlane weights approximately 590 kg more than 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1982 Ford Fairlane is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1982 Ford Fairlane. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1982 Ford Fairlane (296 Nm @ 1800 RPM) has 194 more torque (in Nm) than 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit. (102 Nm @ 3500 RPM). This means 1982 Ford Fairlane will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit. 1982 Ford Fairlane has automatic transmission and 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit has manual transmission. 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1982 Ford Fairlane will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

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