I live just a bit north of you on Puget Sound, just across the Narrows from Tacoma. We just bought a 2000 V70 AWD. I also own a 92 960 wagon. My wife and kids like to go skiing so we had a set of chains for the 960 and that was the reason for going with the AWD. It eliminates the need for stopping when the signs say "traction devices required". We are happy with the vehicle. It is driven primarily around town, in the rain. Yes, the tire pressures need to be monitored. I just bought, for a big $13 at Schuck's, valve stems that show when the tire pressure falls below the required level. Speedwise the 960 wagon is still the fastest of the 3 Volvos I have. I haven't really stomped on the V70 yet but it is more than adequate to get on the freeway at 65 to 75. The extra noise is from the cleated tread pattern on the AWD type tires. It's still not bad. The car has adequate noise insulation to keep it from being loud. I am extremely comfortable knowing my wife and kids are in the AWD car with the rain we've had in the last 2 months. I did buy one with the Volvo warranty on it. That is a MUST. My 2 cents.