after last winter, yes i think it is, it cost me more than the shed is worth in just a wheel bearing.  I want to enjoy the snow and ice in the winter  i love it and i was gutted to be missing out a bit by having a rwd sports car.  the shed is getting snow tyres!   at 60 quid for the whole car in snow tyres i think thats ok  
  
  
the other factor is modding; how much, what type and how time consuming is it? most of the mods i do take lots of trial and error and time to get just perfect.  ive had to do many an all nighter under flood lights to get her back together for a monday morning.  something i dont have to do now  
  
  
why don't you get a 110 land rover with off road tyres.  you could mod them both. 
  
As i live in the sticks and it floods loads round here, i've considered getting an old land rover for say 3-4k sticking some off road tyres on it and maybe a recaro seat.  There is no guarantee that it's going to snow again this year btw... 
  
there appears to be a wide selection of recaro seats here http://www.mothercare.com/b/68213031?ie ... a33b8cb496 
  
well fingers crossed will get to run a freelander on test over xmas