The Dreaded Exchange Rate (CAD/USD)

[Neo_fd3s]

Well, if exchange rate is not that good, I'll go for base model and dual motor which I think is a must for Canadian winter.

No. AWD is not a must. Been driving an 08 Miata for 9yrs now without a problem. Tires are everything. AWD is only good to get you going. But otherwise you're dealing with more weight, and more complications in regards to possible things going wrong.

Really wish the mentality towards AWD would change. Alas, all the SUV's on the road dictate otherwise..

 

[sitter_k]

No. AWD is not a must. Been driving an 08 Miata for 9yrs now without a problem. Tires are everything. AWD is only good to get you going. But otherwise you're dealing with more weight, and more complications in regards to possible things going wrong.

Really wish the mentality towards AWD would change. Alas, all the SUV's on the road dictate otherwise..

A must no. but, All else being equal AWD is better than fwd in the snow.

 

[Canuck]

No. AWD is not a must. Been driving an 08 Miata for 9yrs now without a problem. Tires are everything. AWD is only good to get you going. But otherwise you're dealing with more weight, and more complications in regards to possible things going wrong. Really wish the mentality towards AWD would change. Alas, all the SUV's on the road dictate otherwise..

For city slickers it's not a must, and most people who buy SUV's don't need it just for snow and ice. I agree with that.

But it's a must for me. I bought my S before AWD was available. In the winter, I put MICHELIN XICE XI3 245/45R19XL on it. They get about the best ratings for a winter tire. But it still gets stuck in my driveway at my lakehouse, just like my Tahoe hybrid does with good winter tires on it until I put it in AWD. I have to put chains on my RWD S to get up my driveway if it gets stuck. Sure, I could leave the vehicle at the top of the driveway, walk down, plow my driveway, and salt and sand it, then drive down, but with AWD I can drive down and up it. I also couldn't go on any roads that are not plowed, salted and sanded if I get RWD on my 3 -- no thanks!

I think people who say these kinds of things only drive on plowed, salted and sanded city streets. Get out in the back country on snow and ice and you need AWD or a tow truck.

So there's no chance my 3 will be RWD like my S. I get the fact that city slickers don't need it. But there's a huge difference when I hit the AWD switch in my Tahoe -- suddenly it's no longer spinning the winter tires but the traction from the additional front tires pulls me out of being stuck. I'll go down my driveway when it's not too bad then spend the weekend at my cabin, when it's snowed while I'm there and if I have my S it's either plowing or chains. With my Tahoe it's the switch of a button. Unless you've actually experienced this, you don't really understand how much of a difference it makes.

AWD is only good to get you going.

Right, and who needs to get a vehicle going in the snow? When I get in mine, after it's been sitting in the snow, I make sure it's already moving...

 

[Neo_fd3s]

For city slickers it's not a must, and most people who buy SUV's don't need it just for snow and ice. I agree with that.

But it's a must for me. I bought my S before AWD was available. In the winter, I put MICHELIN XICE XI3 245/45R19XL on it. They get about the best ratings for a winter tire. But it still gets stuck in my driveway at my lakehouse, just like my Tahoe hybrid does with good winter tires on it until I put it in AWD. I have to put chains on my RWD S to get up my driveway if it gets stuck. Sure, I could leave the vehicle at the top of the driveway, walk down, plow my driveway, and salt and sand it, then drive down, but with AWD I can drive down and up it. I also couldn't go on any roads that are not plowed, salted and sanded if I get RWD on my 3 -- no thanks!

I think people who say these kinds of things only drive on plowed, salted and sanded city streets. Get out in the back country on snow and ice and you need AWD or a tow truck.

So there's no chance my 3 will be RWD like my S. I get the fact that city slickers don't need it. But there's a huge difference when I hit the AWD switch in my Tahoe -- suddenly it's no longer spinning the winter tires but the traction from the additional front tires pulls me out of being stuck. I'll go down my driveway when it's not too bad then spend the weekend at my cabin, when it's snowed while I'm there and if I have my S it's either plowing or chains. With my Tahoe it's the switch of a button. Unless you've actually experienced this, you don't really understand how much of a difference it makes.



Right, and who needs to get a vehicle going in the snow? When I get in mine, after it's been sitting in the snow, I make sure it's already moving...

Yes, correct, city slickers don't need AWD. I agree with you on that. Not too sure how many people would be considered "boonie" people. Meaning single lane back roads and driveways long enough to land a small plane. Hey, if you're one of the 1%, congrats!
But I think the people who live within the general population have this myth about needing AWD.

For the record, I'm in the middle. I'm a good 40-45min north of Toronto. There's usually at least 2 weather zones before you get to the typical weather I have.
If I lived another 20-35min north of where I'm currently situated, then yes, I would start to consider AWD. Thankfully I don't. Nor am I part of the 1%.
RWD is all I would ever want. I don't drive wrong wheel drive cars. There's something unnatural about them.
God willing, I'll be heading further south in a decade or so. So I'll never need AWD again. Sunny weather and palm trees for me!