My first winter with the Focus (sport model with 50-series tires) was mild. The next one hit hard and early, and I had to do something.
I bought Blizzaks and four cheap steel wheels. I actually "downsized" from 205/50/16 to 195/60/15 (same diameter) to get a narrower tire, for better bite in snow.
The installation of the winter wheels and tires meant the end of aggressive cornering, but the car was great in winter weather. Never a worry.
So, if I were buying a rwd car, I would definitely go the winter wheel/tire route. The car looks kind of geeky in this mode (unless you decide to fork over for alloys to go with the snow tires), but I didn't care, since I laughed at the weather.
I won't be buying snows when I get a 1er, because I intend to keep the Focus!
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