FYI you can buy an Altima for less than all those prices you mentioned right now. You can even get the 270 horsepower V6 Altima right now, 2012, for $22-24k.
The difference on icy roads at stop signs and lights with awd is night and day, I drive in terrible conditions for 3-4 months of the year and AWD is a must obviously you need winter tires as well.
