Here Are 6 Enthusiast Cars for Snowy Climates

The approach of winter is a sad time of year for enthusiast cars across America. The inevitable snow and road salt means we have to put away our fun cars for the long winter -- but that doesn't mean we have to take a break from having any fun on the road. Here are 11 great enthusiast cars for enjoying the worst driving conditions.

Jeep Wrangler

Pick any Wrangler in your price range and you'll get an SUV that laughs in the face of snow. Wranglers of all generations are a blast to drive off-road, though they aren't always fun on-road. The newer the Wrangler, the more comfortable it will be -- but any of them will get you through the nastiest snow storms with ease. Maybe avoid soft tops if you want to keep warm in the winter months.

Jeep Cherokee XJ

The Jeep Cherokee XJ has been called the Miata of off-roaders, and that's pretty accurate. It's loved for its rugged off-road capability, everyday driveability and common availability at affordable prices. The advantage of the XJ over most Wranglers is improved on-road comfort and a more pleasant driving experience overall compared to the spartan Wrangler.

GM W Body

The GM W platform is one I've defended in the past. My reverence for the W-body understandably received a mixed reception from you, the readers, but I stand by my statement that these dirt cheap front-drivers make fantastic winter cars. I've personally driven through several Wisconsin winters in a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo SS -- and as long as the tires were decent, it was a champ in the snow. If you go the W-body route, I strongly recommend finding one with the beloved 3800 V6 engine.

Any Front-Wheel-Drive Hot Hatch

If I were to list every hot hatch individually, this list would get awfully long, so I've lumped them together. Take your pick from the likes of the Ford Focus or Fiesta ST, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Type R, Mini Cooper S or any of the others in the growing segment. The beauty of the hot hatch is that it combines genuine driving fun with everyday practicality. Part of that practicality is safely getting you to work or school in all seasons.

Subaru WRX/ STI

And now for the most predictable car on this list, the Subaru WRX/STI. For those unfamiliar with Subaru lingo, an STI is basically just a hotter version of the WRX sport compact. This is a distinctly different animal from a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, because it's all-wheel drive, and because the current generation is only available as a sedan. With its strong all-wheel-drive system and rally racing roots, a WRX or STI will not only help you get through the snow, but you'll also have a blast doing it.

Doug's Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon With Winter Tires

Normally, it would be tough to recommend a rear-wheel-drive luxury wagon for a winter car, but our own Doug DeMuro is about to show us all the power of a proper set of snow tires. Doug has called his E63 AMG wagon the ultimate family car, and unless your family exceeds four people, he's probably right. It's a car that checks all the boxes: it's luxurious; it looks cool; it's fast; and it has the versatility of a station wagon.

Which cars did I miss? Comment below with your choice winter car for the driving enthusiast.