Do I *need* All Wheel Drive?

I too faced this dilemma last year when deciding on a new (used) car. Gas was $4.25/gal then, so my frugal side teamed up with a train of thought which asked "how many actual miles driven really require AWD (I have a 50 mile daily round-trip commute). I opted for FWD, good winter tires and chains, which I needed last winter...and yes, it sucked watching the AWD crew being waved through I90 and the Paradise Rd when I was required to put on the chains. That happened three times in a year's driving. As our colleague with the Escort wagon indicated (I say bring that car back into production, circa 1999 body), FWD, chains and snow tires are a very effective combination, like mega traction. On the downside, have you ever experieced popsicle finger?

It's a tough choice... but a fun one to make, right!?

I'm in the same situation (trying to decide between fwd and 4wd) as my car right now has 213k miles and needs to be replaced.

Do other skiers on this post get by OK with fwd and snow tires? 4wd sounds nice, but as mentioned, it seems you take a hit on fuel economy with most any model you buy.

(I say bring that car back into production, circa 1999 body)

Absolutely. The pre-1997 Escorts rock, in my humble opinion.

I had a Civic with studded tires and never had any problems even on deep days, but it was a huge PITA to be forced to put (unnessesary) chains on, so upgraded to an older Legacy AWD, small engine, good gas mileage that was only slight better.

Do not buy a chevy colorado 4WD - poor gas mileage, wimpy brakes, VERY difficult to work on. fwiw

However, if after that you do want one, look for one on Craigs list soon.

Having had to dig out and push a small FWD snow tired car from a not really very snowy and perfectly flat parking lot about three weeks ago.

I missed my AWD.

The days I really want to ski and to get there early to do so make it worthwhile. living in a foothills neighborhood where a couple of inches of ~sea level snow make the place impassable for two days also helps the purchase process.

Or just get a PT Cruiser. So long as you have a high tolerance for Scottish accented road rage.

Edit: Those old Escorts? Really? People like those things? I'm just stunned.