trade yaris for subaru wrx, maybe sti?

[Fenrizwolf]

You guys, I know that too, but AWD with winter tires gives superior traction over any other configuration, and that is the bottom line there. After speaking with wife, STI is just out. A new one is too much, a used one will have a higher interest rate, and insurance will be too high. So now we are looking at the 5 door wrx wagon, '11 or I will try to get a great deal on '10.
Wanted to add, I have commuted for 3 winters. 60 miles to school for 2 and 30 miles to work for one. I have seen horrible things and safely cruised by in my '03 eclipse and sometimes the yaris. I do drive safe and I can tell you first hand it is overconfident people in the 4wd truck I most often see off the road ,or spinning out of control. I am choosing a Subaru for safety, the 50/50 AWD and reliability.

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by Fenrizwolf

You guys, I know that too, but AWD with winter tires gives superior traction over any other configuration, and that is the bottom line there.

No doubt you will have superior traction. You'll be able to pull snowy hills much better than a 2WD car. You'll be able to plow through deeper snow than a 2WD car could. You'll be able to do a lot of things a 2WD car can't. Afterall, you'll have twice the chance that one of your tires will find traction.

The problem comes when there is no traction to be had.

I'm just trying to offer advice from first hand experience. The worst thing you can do is become overconfident with AWD in hazardous conditions.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Altitude

No doubt you will have superior traction. You'll be able to pull snowy hills much better than a 2WD car. You'll be able to plow through deeper snow than a 2WD car could. You'll be able to do a lot of things a 2WD car can't. Afterall, you'll have twice the chance that one of your tires will find traction.

The problem comes when there is no traction to be had.

I'm just trying to offer advice from first hand experience. The worst thing you can do is become overconfident with AWD in hazardous conditions.

+1

I have noticed plenty of people that get a "God" complex when it comes to having their AWD. I care less what anyone else thinks...if you really know and practice how to drive in snowy conditions then you can do just about anything with your FWD. The biggest hurdle that I have found is the snow becoming compacted up into your engine bay with snow that is too deep and regardless of whether it is 2WD or AWD you can cause damage if you are over zealous. Case in point would be my next door neighbor last winter with their Subaru. They did all kinds of damage trying to "beast" their way thru deep snow in their yard. I think in IMHO the only way they would have been safe if they had bought a Forrester because of the ground clearance.