I have a 2005 Audi A4 convertible and a 1991 Subaru Legacy, both all wheel drive. I have just been driving the Audi since I purchased it in spring 2007. New Year's Day I drove three hundred miles to visit family and I-68 in Maryland was treacherous. Most traffic was traveling 40 mph; I saw two faster trucks spin in circles before ending in the median. I gently tested my brakes going down a 6 degree hill and had no brakes. My traction sensor kept flashing but I did not slide.

I drove four miles this morning and slid in the parking lot of McDonalds; I saw a man fall down after stepping out of his vehicle. Returning home I was going up a slight grade and started sliding toward the ditch (better than the creek). I backed up several times and tried again but every time I slid. A new alert light was on; I didn't have my owner's manual but later found it was a bulb out. But I didn't know what the alert meant so called for a tow truck. He said the tow trucks would not be going on the roads until the dept of highways cleared them better. Freaking great. The tow guy said I should check to see if snow was packed around one of the tires. I did back up through eight inches of snow without shoveling. It looked okay though. I parked the car and a neighbor drove me home.

I am wondering if I should drive my Audi or my Subaru. A month ago I was told the Audi's tread was wearing on the inner back tires. Not sure if tread is sufficient for these weather conditions. I put new tires on the Subaru a month before I quit driving it. The Subaru has over two hundred thousand miles but no problems except perhaps needing a new battery. I am not sure how the weight of the Audi and the Subaru compare. The Audi has air bags. I don't think the Subaru does. I can add insurance to the Subaru for less than fifty dollars per month. If I wreck the Subaru there would be less financial loss.

I am not certain which vehicle would be better to drive in snow. What do you think?