Just an explanation because several have expressed surprise and solutions for
my selling because of bad snow traction.
Where I live in central SC it snows very rarely and the snow moves on really
quickly.
Consequently no one sells much in the way of winter tires here.  Certainly no
studded tires and no Hakkas.  I know, I tried to get some.   The dealers I
found have discontinued the marque as they could never get inventory.
I had a bad experience in the mountains of North Carolina before Christmas
when I got halfway up a hill and the wheels broke loose.    I tried every trick
I know to get going again.  Nothing doing.  I had Michelin MXTs with about
60-70% tread remaining.   I had to back up about 1/2 mile to turn around then go
a flatter way to my destination, proceeding with trepidation.   I lived in
Switzerland for 8 years, I know how to drive in snow.
I have had problems on wet grass too.
I visit the mother-in-law in a very rural area of the blue ridge and my wife
and I are looking for some property there.   In short, I need a 4wd.
I looked for a syncro.   The only ones I could find within 300 miles had well
over 200k miles and I just dont want a vehicle that well used.
After I had such bad luck getting new tires (I couldnt even find the correct
raitng in any kind of tire) I decided enough was enough.  I bought a Rodeo
4wd.
I was getting about 19 1/2 mpg with the Carat and I get about 19 1/2 with the
Rodeo.
One has 90 HP, the other has 205 HP.      I have used the Rodeo in the
Appalachian snow too, the weekend that SC got hit with an Ice storm.  I was going
through 8-9 inches of fresh snow at 3500 ft with it and it felt very solid.
Only a synchro could match that.
I have 4 vehicles in a residential area.  One has to go.
I have had 5 VW vans, 4 of them campers.  I sold my last camper last year to
get the Carat as we did such little camping.
I will miss the van as I used it as a mobile changing room.  I'm a piper and
often go to events that I need to dress scottish for.
Maybe if I run into a subie or TDI conversion I will once again be tempted.

cheers,
Steve Cotsford
92 325i
2000 New Beetle TDI (wifes)
98 Rodeo
91 Carat, on the block.