Never had a vehicle that would benefit, or that needed, winter tires. Always assumed they were for "sporty" cars that would run dry-pavement tires all summer, and winter tires in the, uh, winter.
Winter (Snow) tires are great for the snow as well as wet and icy roads when it is cold outside. Many people think of the extra traction accelerating and avoiding wheel spin but where winter tires really shine is their ability to stop your car when you have to brake hard on slippery roads as well as grip in the turns so you are less likely to slide out. They have siping (thin cuts) for grip and a rubber compound designed to stay softer for temperatures below 40 degrees. In warmer temperatures they wear more quickly.
If you keep your vehicle 6-8+ years then winter tires really do not cost you more than a set of extra rims (cheap works well for winter). I put mine on around the first snow (Thanksgiving time) and usually take them off around spring break depending on how the winter is going. As a result I am saving the tread on my regular tires so they do not need replaced as soon. The cost of a set of winter tires and rims is cheaper than the deductible for the accident I may avoid.
Long ago I had a Jeep with crappy all season tires. Then I got an Acura RSX (=Civic) and a set of winter tires. The RSX handled better in the winter than the 4WD Jeep and I never missed a day of work. Based on my great experience with the Blizzak tires on the Acura when I got my new Tacoma last year I got a set of Blizzak tires for it too. Between the 4WD, the computer traction control, some sand weights in the bed and the Blizzaks I can barely get any spin with the truck so the fun factor is dialed down but their is no pucker factor when driving on bad roads.
Living in Indiana I was able to get the price I wanted by driving up to South Bend and picking up a set at TireRack.
IMO this is the key that the average driver never thinks about. People only ever consider getting "stuck" in the snow. Never that they might not be able to turn or stop. I can't count the number of arguments I've had with people about putting two new tires on the front of their car because it is FWD (or wrong wheel drive) and they don't want to get stuck. Never mind that they'll throw the car sideways around every corner because the front grips more than the rear of their car. Being in Indiana we're really on the cusp of winter tires. They'll perform great for the winter but for the most part a good set of all season tires will do the job. Even modern AS tires are far superior to what people remember when they were driving RWD cars around all the time.Many people think of the extra traction accelerating and avoiding wheel spin but where winter tires really shine is their ability to stop your car when you have to brake hard on slippery roads as well as grip in the turns so you are less likely to slide out.
IMO this is the key that the average driver never thinks about. People only ever consider getting "stuck" in the snow. Never that they might not be able to turn or stop. I can't count the number of arguments I've had with people about putting two new tires on the front of their car because it is FWD (or wrong wheel drive) and they don't want to get stuck. Never mind that they'll throw the car sideways around every corner because the front grips more than the rear of their car. Being in Indiana we're really on the cusp of winter tires. They'll perform great for the winter but for the most part a good set of all season tires will do the job. Even modern AS tires are far superior to what people remember when they were driving RWD cars around all the time.
If a person is only gonna get 2 new tires at a time, they should go on the rear. Always. Be it FWD, AWD, or 4x4. Rotation during hydroplaning begins at the rear. The best tires need to be back there to hopefully keep the vehicle un-rotated.