My old Corolla was blown off the road once in bad snow. It sucked.

Just a suggestion - I've heard great things about the Suzuki Sx4 from the few people who have them. Smaller, better mileage than most AWD, and pretty affordable.

(I'm always on the lookout here for the old Civic AWDs, from the 80s/early 90s. I'd buy one just as a "snow car.")