AWD vs 4x4
I've lived in Snoqualmie for the last 9 years and the last 3 have been surprisingly snowy. I grew up in Minnesota so driving in the snow doesn't scare me, but the fact that they don't use salt does require more caution out here. We've had a CR-V that is AWD the entire time we have been here and this year I traded my 12 year old civic for a subaru outback for the exact reasons you are considering AWD. IMO, 4X4 is a bigger hassle because you have to generally know ahead of time that you need the 4x4 - meaning you have to pull over and shift into 4x4. For me, the all time AWD is perfect. The wheels adjust when they sense any type of slipping from, rain, snow, sand, whatever. In my eyes, it's better than 4x4 because the AWD system does all the thinking for me. Of course, if you want to get out in a couple feet of mud, etc where you need real traction, then you want the 4x4, but that doesn't sound like what you want.
Note: my mom has a Rav 4 and while she loves it, it doesn't have all time AWD - she has to pull over and shift to 4x4 in the snow. Might not be the case for all of them, but just be sure to ask.
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Were u driving in the Dec. 08 storm?
I need to know...Do I buy AWD, FWD, 4x4? We plan on living outside the city in Sno or Kitsap Counties. My husband already there and has a family car that did not make it an inch with chains. 
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