Wow I'm in Madison and we're only due 1-3 inches lol. I'm also running blizzaks WS80, worked awesome for this winter, no problem in the snow at all. I will be swapping them out this Friday.

The stock tires are very sensitive to temperatures below about 40 degrees. Odds are it was simply colder the second time you did it. Below freezing you may as well just be driving on solid rubber hockey pucks they will harden up so bad.
Throw some good snows on it and it is a tank through the snow.

Im glad i have a daily civic because im in a similar area where this storm is hitting. But im still going to be working from home. Just take it slow in the snow, if it's not too far away you should be OK. But in deep snow you're kind of fucked, try to take the day off, its not worth your life.

Don't worry.

If you drive and crash....

IT WILL BUFF OUT

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...+Will+Buff+Out


Worse case scenario:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...%27ll+Buff+Out

I am going to say you will have your hands full even with winter tires due to lack of experience with a clutch. You really have to learn how to control the power through modulation of the throttle, brake and clutch, and be very familiar with where the clutch grabs, which is a little tricky at first. Give yourself a year of learning the quirks, then if you must drive it in winter get some good winter tires.

I don't get much snow where I live. Are snow chains an option? but id personally have it at home if I could! Even ask a work mate for a lift and pay for fuel.

Spot on. The stock tires are not intended for winter use, or snow use, or ice use. Period. Don't go out there and get stuck or hurt yourself or kill somebody else.

Stay off the roads. One thing I hate in snowstorms is white knuckle drivers that spaz out and crash then tie up traffic.

I hate tractor trailers that want to pass those white knuckle drivers and takes them 5 minutes to pass going 0.5 mph faster than the car. hnnnnnngh.....

I will upgrade my comment. I also hate trucks and 4x4s that think they are above the laws of physics and drive like it's a summer day. Theory is that the disparity between the too fast and too slow drivers cause the most accidents.

For people that don't know cars SUVs and tractor trailers in the snow create a false sense of security I guess

I have taken all your advice, guys. Fret not. This is why I come to you first. I trust you guys to fill the gaps in my knowledge in topics such as this. I have lived in WI all my life and know the dangers of winter driving and have become quite good at it. Which is why I am smart enough to know that you guys are right. I won't be driving my precious car tomorrow. A new friend of mine was kind enough to pick me up and take me there. She can't get me there quite on time, but I'm grateful that she offered. She shall be repayed for gas and a favor in the future.

Anyhow, I will likely be driving this car up to 10k miles before next winter even rolls around. So if I end up not having the cash to get a beater truck for next winter, I should have enough clutch time to be okay with some blizzaks and measured caution next winter. Are the ws80's the ones to get for next winter and should I get the 16's or 17's?

16's vs 17's is going to be more of a personal preference/cost thing.

I was keeping stock rims/tires for summer, so buying a set of 16" steelies and tires was significantly cheaper than getting 17's. I believe the cost of the wheels+tires was the same for 17" tires alone.

Blizzaks aren't the only choice, but what I would say is clear is that you need a dedicated winter tire. Not a "winter performance" tire, but something comparable to Blizzak WS80, Michelin X-Ice 3, Nokians, etc. Then you just need to spend some time in a parking lot the first snow storm you can.

I'd describe the car as squirrelly-but-predictable in the snow once you're used to it. Its a load of fun.

That's some great advice right there. I will have to remember that. I found the WS80's with rims on tirerack for about $450 which is not bat at all in my book. I will have to save some money aside for those this fall. Until then I can't wait for this snow to melt asap so I can get back out on the road!