"Mr. Al" <albesure@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<bfnnfs$bm1$1@slb6.atl.mindspring.net>...
> I was at an auto show last year and sat in a new CRV and about a week ago I
> sat in a new Element at my Honda dealer showroom. The Element had a more
> rugged feel, but seemed cumbersome and hard to manuever by the layout. The
> CRV seemed cozy, almost car like. I feel like getting a CRV next time, but
> wanted to know some opinions. I live in New England and if we have another
> winter like last winter, I will definitly consider the CRV or the like. We
> get heavy rains, peasoup fog, blizzards and have poorly lit, windy and hilly
> roads, so the need for a safe and capable car/suv is vital in my eyes. I
> want a 4 wheel drive and then I was thinking has anyone driven the CRV
> without ABS and if that would be a bad idea or not because it already has 4
> wheel drive?
>
> Right now I have a Civic, but feel a little uneasy when winter comes, so
> thats why I was thinking about an suv.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Al

I'll assume you are not a driving enthusiast who wants to do it for
himself. There are bunches of things here 4 wheel drive (full time
and as required), traction control, ABS, stability control.

All cars have differentials that allow the inside and outside tires
turn at appropriate speeds when turning without scruffing.
Traditional off road 4 wheel drive locked the front and back tires
together, so eventually you got "torque buildup" on the street because
the tires want to turn at slightly different speeds (they aren't
exactly the same circumference). Bumping around on dirt roads, this
is no problem. On the street this is a big problem. Full time street
4 wheel drive puts a differential between the front and back tires.
But you are not done yet. If one tire has poor traction and is
spinning more power gets sent to it, just the opposite of what you
want. So "limited slip differentials (LSD)" were created.
Positraction (tm), dude! Traction Control in general also ensures
that under acceleration all the driven tires get power when slipping
occurs. Dynamic Stability Control can decrease fuel to the fuel
injection (limit acceleration) and control all 4 wheel brakes
independently. With independent brake control, the computer can steer
the car any which way it wants. I've only engaged the DSC on my BMW
from too high cornering speed a couple of times, but both times the
car went into a perfect 4 wheel drift. Luck or intent, who knows?
Great fun. DSC does limit acceleration when cornering all the time.
Very annoying to us car enthusiasts who love power on oversteer.
Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) allow you to brake at maximum rate
(threshold brake) and not just slide the tires. VERY IMPORTANT: You
can steer the car with ABS engaged and go around objects in your way.
This requires great skill without ABS. If you get ABS go to a parking
lot, get up to 30 mph, slam on the brakes, and practice steering the
car. Most people with ABS forget to steer and don't get what they
paid for. Many 4 wheel drive systems run in Front Wheel Drive 99% of
the time and only engage in low traction or emergency avoidance
situations. Then they engage the rear tires. Honda's system is like
this. So as not mis-represent this let me quote Honda:

"With its unique Real Time™ 4-Wheel Drive system, CR-V also has
all-weather performance capability. When the traction of all four
wheels are needed, such as on slippery roads, the system automatically
engages the wheels for maximum tire grip. Real Time™ 4-Wheel Drive is
a hydraulically actuated system that operates only when front-wheel
slippage occurs"

This is a long winded explanation to say that Hondas 4 wheel drive is
in no way the same as Subaru's full time 4 wheel drive (with LSD).
Anytime you are not driving a tire that has downforce(weight) you are
losing the opportunity for better traction.
Happy Motoring!
Roadie Roger