Best Sports Cars for Winter Fun

Posted on Jul 21, 2019 in Safety | 1 comment

2012 Audi TT RS

At yesterday’s Thanksgiving festivities, my sister-in-law discreetly pulled me aside saying she had a question. In a tone of voice just beyond a whisper, she said, “I really like the new Subaru BRZ. It must be all-wheel-drive, because it’s a Subaru, right?”

She looked hopefully at me, as though confirming her inquiry would result in a trip to the dealer for a Black Friday shopping extravaganza. Of course, I had to let her down gently.

“Well, actually, the BRZ was developed as a sports car project with Toyota and comes only in rear-wheel-drive….”

I could see her hopes deflate before my eyes, the visions of Northwest winters in a Subaru sports car fading from her mind. I tried to offer some hope, though, with a list of some other fun sports cars that would be suitable for one of our typical snow and ice-filled winters.

Subaru WRX STI

It’s not the BRZ, but it packs 305-horsepower into genuine symmetrical AWD fun.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

If the WRX shows up on a list, the Mitsu Evo is always nearby. With 291-hp and Super All-Wheel Control (yes, that’s what it’s called), the Evo remains a fine winter performance choice.

Audi TT

The TT goes head-to-head with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4, but boasts one thing its rivals don’t: all-wheel drive. Choose the 211-horsepower, four-cylinder 2.0T or the 340-horsepower TT RS, and know you can drive in any weather condition. Even topless in the snow, should you opt for a convertible.

BMW 335i xDrive

This one borders the line of being called a sports car. It’s more of a family sedan, but offers enough sport in its driving that it could conceivably be considered an AWD alternative to the BRZ.