Way back in 2002
I posted this thread asking for some suggestions on what kind of car I should get - I was choosing between an Alfa Romeo GTV or a Volkswagen Jetta (Bora in OZ) VR6. I
ended up going with the Alfa. Unfortunately that all ended badly in late 2004 as
I sued the clowns for incompetence when my car blew up (Johnny's first post on the first link I provided was strangely prophetic in hindsight). Ironically, when I got to Boston I ended up getting a (used) VW Jetta VR6 anyway which has served me faithfully in the sun, snow and rain.
Unfortunately it's breaking down more and more (it was 95000miles when I got it and is now 109000miles) so I'm looking at selling it when I graduate (I got a job offer here in Boston with Boston Scientific). So I'm hoping that I actually get this decision right this time.
I'm open to other cars at the moment, but I'm looking at a used vehicle (no older than 3 or 4 years) - so far I've looked at the following:
2004 Mazda RX-8 (rear wheel drive, sports car, 4 seats, 238bhp)
and the 2004 Audi A4 (3L, 4 door, 5 seat sedan, 220bhp, all wheel drive)
Both are around $20Kish, which is around about my budget (no more spending $50K on a car (Alfa) that breaks down for me). Both are different - one is more a sports car, the other is a sports sedan. Both have at least 4 seats which will suit when parents and friends visit. The Audi is more practical but still has good power (0-60 in about 7 secs) while the Mazda is probably a better drive and looks prettier (0-60 in about 6.3 secs).
So my decision is not that much different from what it was with Alfa v VW in my original thread back in 2002 - style vs practicality. The difference is that I'm now 5 years older and practicality is probably more important to me. I need to settle down into corporate life again.
Suggestions and comments would be welcomed. Something I was curious about was how rear wheel drive cars operate in snow/icy conditions. I know from experience here in Boston that when you're driving on unplowed streets it doesn't really matter if you have front, rear or all wheel drive - you're going to slip and slide. But I was hearing from friends that it's far harder to drive RWD cars than FWD ones in winter conditions - that was why I decided to get a VW which was FWD. The Audi is attractive for that reason as it's four wheel drive.
Can anyone who lives in a place which has a snowy/icy winter and drives a rear wheel drive car give me some insights?