I have a Subaru as well, and every time it snows I want to give it a big hug. It won't save you if you're driving like an idiot and it won't help you stop faster. However, for getting me from A to B in crap weather, it really gets the job done. That said, while I'm happy to hug the car, the winter tires get a big wet kiss [with tongue]. I run on Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q M+S from first snowfall until the last snowboarding trip of the year. Those things grip like nobody's business, and have done an excellent job of keeping me out of trouble.

I'm of the opinion that when operating in winter conditions, your vehicle [bike or not] should have snow tires. There are days when regular knobbies or slicks or the mis-named "all-season" tires just won't cut it. The number of accidents that could be prevented by having the right boots on your ride... the mind reels...