[arielmina]

I think it depends entirely on where you live. If you're along the coast and in the cities, you're not going to need it. I commuted from Stamford to Ridgefield via back roads and definitely did need it, not to mention on my own road which was extremely treacherous.

And yes, some "soccer moms" do have bigger cars because they need the space. I have a Pilot 4WD and I need some sort of truck for my kids and my dog. I just do....sorry not possible to get the lab and the kids all in the back of a Prius. That said, my husband doesn't need to house all those people/critters and he has a simple Honda Accord because it gets great mileage and is a great reliable car. SO...though I agree that some towns definitely are overboard on the expensive SUV side (Darien comes to mind), some people do actually need a larger car.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Right on. Who needs a cleaner environment and less dependency on OPEC anyhow?!

Besides, those flip-over accidents are super fun.

Have fun in your SUV

What the heck are soccer moms with several children and large dogs supposed to drive? Mini-vans aren't a good choice environmentally, either. I drive a mid-size SUV, and it can get cramped with all of us in it, but I wouldn't trade it for a sedan. There just isn't enough room. And we live in a hilly area, with a sloping driveway, and everyone in my neighborhood has at least one SUV. No huges ones, but in this terrain it's a necessity. I agree it depends on where you live. Years ago we lived in Norwalk and Stamford, and worked locally, and we never needed AWD.

[seymourct]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Also there are many times when it's snowing like crazy in the hills where people live, but raining or snowing very lightly in the cities where they work.

Suggesting that people stay home is easier said than done.

True, when the commute takes a person to the shoreline anywhere, and you live 20 miles +/- inland, then that can make all the difference.

Besides, often the storm starts after you are already at work. What's a person supposed to do then? Hopefully have a car that will help them trudge through the snow.

And yes, nothing helps in ice.

By the way, lots of towns don't plow anything but the main roads until the storm is over or subsiding (as was the case in my pile up - which was even on a main road) , so if there is a small grade hill on a side road covered in snow (not ice) on your way home then AWD or AWD on demand will help.