AWD or FWD car for Indiana???

[M TYPE X]

Audi and Subaru AWD systems won't save you from an ice rink surface or snowdrift, but they are nice to have. Note that full-time AWD systems will run you more in fuel costs than comparable FWD cars. Note that Subaru builds the Legacy and Outback outside of Lafayette - why not consider buying local?

[ShadowCaver]

The Subaru's are indeed very nice cars. Looked at them over the past - only complaint was that the interior seemed not up to the standards of the rest of the car, esp. for the price. Very reliable vehicles. For my commuting in NE Indiana, I've a front wheel drive car ['92 Toyota Celica GT-S] that gets me just about anywhere, unless snow gets over ~3", as I've slightly wider tread for performance. But in those times, then I've a '92 S-10 Blazer. Figure that only have to worry about snow/ice ~10-30 days of the year - so the vast majority the better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs lure me to the FWD cars. Yet, AWD are very good too then, as mentioned above, for wet/rain conditions too.

[M TYPE X]

The set of BF Goodrich Traction T/A I bought in Ohio is still on my car's wheels. The stiffness of the ride isn't worth it on dry pavement, but I can go anywhere in rain and snow. I probably won't be driving 150+ miles again on a February blizzard at 3 AM to meet someone at Chicago O'Hare. Then again, nothing in life is certain. My plan calls for my next set of tires to be Goodyear Eagles or something similar.