Sports cars for Canadian winters?

The very, very first thing I would ask, before a model or drivetrain even enters the picture, would be if you are willing to consider a used car, even though you stated you want to look at new. I don't know how horrible the used car market is in Canada, especially as far as rust goes, but I'd have to imagine that reputable dealers, at least, avoid selling rust buckets. I ask because the true shortcut to performance car bliss is the used car market. Nothing depreciates like a car, and not only will you be benefiting from someone else's financial investment, but it will allow you to buy things that would be seriously out of your league otherwise. Okay, first, drivetrain. With traction control in the advanced state it is these days, I would say that RWD is less of a problem than it used to be - but still no patch on a well-engineered AWD system. However, as you've noticed, true performance hardware with an AWD drivetrain is not exactly common. There's also performance characteristics to consider. AWD, unless it's the truly bonkers setups in things like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or really high-end Audi sports cars (things with RS in front of their names and way out of your price range), will understeer before they drift, powerslide, or otherwise become entertaining. That means that the front wheels will break traction before the rears, and instead of turning, the car will simply plow forwards. Much safer, easier to recover from, and incredibly annoying in a car you want to drive truly fast. If you want a car that breaks loose at the rear, or simply doesn't blunt the performance edge by understeering when you start to do more than just tag-fight with it, know that AWD could be an obstacle in your goal to reach true driving nirvana if you don't get the right car. The latest Subaru Impreza WRX STI, in particular, has had problems with being too soft and too prone to understeer when provoked. They've improved it, but it's still not as sharp or precise as the Next, I would ask if you what a sport car, or a sporty car. There's a big difference: a sport car is a dedicated performance machine that happens to also be able to carry people and things, a sporty car is a regular car with a bit more oomph and a suspension and chassis that's more communicative than not. The Lancer Evo is a sport car. The BMW 328ix is a sporty car. The Hyundai Genesis is a sport car, the Infiniti G37x is a sporty car. The intent of the car is very important, because if you think you will be happy with a sporty car, then I'd say get a hot hatchback and be done with it. FWD - not AWD, I wouldn't touch the Golf R with a pole, the AWD is enormously heavy and not very smart, and the car underpowered for its weight - means that it's stable and safe in the snow, and a well-designed hot hatch FWD chassis will actually be more entertaining than most AWD systems, which are mostly designed for dentists' wives to not kill themselves. I like the Ford Focus ST, I just put my mom (who loves her a good powerslide and drop-clutch launch) in one. If you want a dedicated performance machine, then the STI and Evo are really the only way to go in your price range for AWD, and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe a great choice for RWD. The Ford Mustang is a great choice as well, a highly, highly underrated car.

Skip the STi in favor of the WRX. The 6-speed is geared very short, and you will shift and shift and shift and shift and still not be at the end of your driveway. The WRX has 5 gears, much more sane gearing, and is every bit as fast in measured comparisons. It's also a lot less punishing to drive in day-to-day situations over broken pavement, and the front brake pads don't cost $600 (my WRX has STi brakes up front).

The WRX STi is only ugly on the outside A co-worker has one, and I volunteered to go with him one day to pick up some stuff for the office. I didn't get to drive it, but it was fun as all get-out to ride in. This is non-snowy coastal California, but I know he takes it up to Tahoe a few times a winter.

You're going to read this, and you're going to think "no, no, no." Nevertheless, test drive a Nissan Juke, an AWD automatic one. If you hate CVTs, test it in sport mode, where the CVT has shift points like a traditional automatic. More importantly -- okay, MOST importantly -- it has a little 1.6 turbo, so the gas mileage is good, and the performance is surprising. "No, no, no." Just...do it. Drive one. It's not a pretty car on the outside, but it is a surprisingly fun car to drive, it has great ground clearance, it has AWD, it is reliable, and you won't see yourself around every corner. Unless you live in Los Angeles, apparently, because I see them everywhere I go.

Nthing Audis. A used car will bring your price in line, and you'll love the drive. And they're sooo pretty. Also, please ask your wife to learn to drive a stick. It's a basic adult skill, and she should know it for her own safety and convenience. It's trivially easy to do, and way fun too.

I think I'm going to gather up the extra pennies and get the Evo. Thanks for the advice all!

Dodge Charger Hemi with the 8-speed and AWD. Fast, beautiful, comfy, handles surprisingly well for a big car, nice electronics package, great in the snow. Also, give the Audi S4 a whirl.

I have a friend at work who drives a Juke and loves it, but just looking at the height... It's not what I'm looking for.

...actually, a Juke isn't a bad idea. Throw it on the list if you want.