Car Shopping - Small Crossovers

[Kitsune06]

I was looking for basically the same sort of vehicle and found it in my 1999 Chevy Tracker. They made 'em 'til 2003, but many are 4WD and the convertible ones are a LOT of fun to drive with the top down. No room inside for a bike, but a Thule spare tire rack fixes that just fine. 25ish mpg isn't GREAT but it's not TERRIBLE, especially for a 4x4. Handled the snow this winter just fine. only thing to be aware of is that it's a bit underpowered with a 1.6l engine, but if you're not looking to tow a camper or road race, it fits the bill.

[Crankin]

Well, I disagree about the AWD/4WD. Maybe because I learned to drive in the snow at age 36?
Our streets are well plowed, but I could not deal with the snow without AWD. You can't get up my street or my driveway, especially, without it. My driveway is a 15% grade and although it is plowed, it ices over and some of the snow just can't be removed. When my son comes to visit (He has a Hyundai), he parks on the street and we come down to get him, after the time he slid backwards down the driveway. I also have Blizzaks on my small AWD sedan. I even had issues sliding around without snow tires with the AWD, actually 4WD on my previous car, which was an SUV.
I'd say about 75% of the drivers here have AWD, but not necessarily SUVs. The town I live in supposedly has the highest percentage of Prius' in the world...

[VeganBikeChick]

I also require AWD (when I finally get another car!) because of my job/where I live. Granted, it doesn't snow much here, but when it does, the city is a disaster, and built on hills. Snow plows are few and far between, rock salt is not used (save the environment!) and being at my job is a requirement, no matter what.

I grew up learning how to drive in the snow and never had anything other than front wheel drive, but living here I find AWD a necessity due to the reasons above.

[Eden]

I also require AWD (when I finally get another car!) because of my job/where I live. Granted, it doesn't snow much here, but when it does, the city is a disaster, and built on hills. Snow plows are few and far between, rock salt is not used (save the environment!) and being at my job is a requirement, no matter what.

I grew up learning how to drive in the snow and never had anything other than front wheel drive, but living here I find AWD a necessity due to the reasons above.

Best thing to do when it snows in Seattle is leave your car home and ride your bike..... I don't care if you do have AWD, if you can't get around all the other schmoes who are stuck, you are stuck too....

I live on Capitol Hill and work at a hospital, and though I don't have a vital job, they still expect me to be there unless the world is pretty much coming to an end - I dress warmly and pull out the cross bike (someday I swear I'm going to outfit it with studs) when there's snow on the ground here and laugh at all the people who are lined up stuck on 23rd/Montlake.....

[Irulan]

Best thing to do when it snows in Seattle is leave your car home and ride your bike..... I don't care if you do have AWD, if you can't get around all the other schmoes who are stuck, you are stuck too....

I live on Capitol Hill and work at a hospital, and though I don't have a vital job, they still expect me to be there unless the world is pretty much coming to an end - I dress warmly and pull out the cross bike (someday I swear I'm going to outfit it with studs) when there's snow on the ground here and laugh at all the people who are lined up stuck on 23rd/Montlake.....

lol the best snow rig in the world won't save you in a) in ice storms and b) from other drivers