Hey all!
Looking into options for my gf with the Mazda 3 GS. Was debating between the FWD or AWD option ($4000 CAD difference between the two but AWD comes with luxury package). She lives out in Montreal Quebec where winters can get a little rough sometimes. Would just FWD with a good set of winter tires suffice with the Mazda3? Or should she try to save up more for the AWD option? Trying to look into the most budget friendly option but also suitable for the area she lives in.
Note: she also commutes 45mins to a smaller city for work if we are taking in gas mileage into consideration as well
I live in Washington state and when I first moved to the state in 2014 I owned a 2011 Mazda 3 FWD. It did alright driving in the snow my first winter here, but I soon traded it in for an AWD vehicle. The following winter was bad and with an AWD I drove in areas many FWD vehicles couldn’t. Today, I own two Mazdas and both are AWD. I have never regretted the decision to switch to AWD. In the long run, up front might be more expensive to purchase an AWD, but think of all the potential accidents you can avoid in bad weather that could jack up your car insurance. Get the AWD.