[EJ257]

I would also respectfully suggest that in most cases folks don't truly "need" a manual or even AWD . . . although I would also whole heartedly agree that a manual is just a lot more fun to have in a sportier car and in the winter AWD is certainly better than FWD or RWD (providing all things being equal -- i.e. winter tires are on the vehicles.)

I need both AWD/4WD and studded snow tires to deal with my parents driveway during the winter (they babysit my dog during my long workday). The difference between my setup and AWD+A/S tires (my extended family members refuse to buy separate sets) can be as much as 3X the application rate of halite (at 400+lbs/application), which gets expensive, even with the discount they get having 8,000-12,000 lbs delivered at a time and for being a "senior".