Nice, its the right choice for socal.
FWD isn't half as limiting as people make it out to be. Seriously watch some fwd rally vids to see how good it can do in dirt. Not that any CX9 is going to see that kind of use. Any CX9. Ever. But yeah fwd can do well off road, if you want to take it there.
As far as rain goes, braking and handling are what one worries about driving in rain. Not 0-60 launches. FWD probably does get off the line slow compared to AWD in the rain. But who cares. Wait until it dries out to do your drag racing.