Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Also, for reference, my wife paid for a winter driving course last winter, up in NH. While I actually paid attention to the instructor and spent most of the time out of boost and learning how to drive in the snow, I was also able to drive a little recklessly, as well. With the snow tires, I was able to hit full boost and still have most of that energy go toward forward propulsion! I've auto-crossed once before, which was really fun, but I've got to say that the feeling of maintaining control while full-boosting (18#) up a snow-covered hill was absolutely exhilarating!
FWIW, even the snow-tire equipped Honda Civics were able to maneuver around obstacles just as deftly as my STI, and most of the smaller FWD cars were able to out-brake me, because, regardless of who many LSD's I have, we were all AWS (all-wheel stop,) and their narrower snow tires definitely gave them the advantage in that regard.
AWD helps you stop better too. Your argument is invalid [That's the thought process of those who blindly buy AWD]
I will say, AWD and 4 snow tires really gets going on hills. I took the escape (and my Focus) to a slippery, snowy hill. While the focus wasn't able to acellerate full throttle without spinning, I felt confident in my ability to start and stop.
The AWD on teh escape with snow tires - WOW! Mashed the gas and it took off like a rocket.