I thought the same thing in my area, everybody told me that my town layed just sand. I made a trip to the local sand pile where they load there trucks. They def have salt in the sand. I don't drive my stang as soon as its cold out. I'd die if i saw it sitting in the snow....
From what I understand, the tires are narrower, so that helps.
That, and the suspension is better, so that helps.
But nothing will help like a set of snow blizzaks.