I originally had an 05 z with sts turbo that I loved. I started to feel the heat from the wife about getting rid of the money pit and getting something more practical so I made the move to the g35 sedan which I like. I recently moved from charlotte, nc where it almost never snows, to Kansas City MO where it snows alot. So I'm worried about not having an AWD or at leas FWD car. I've been pondering trading my car for an ~06 wrx or STI. Just wanted to get some input from you guys about the pros and cons of doing this. What's the reliability on those things like? Are they expensive to maintain? Any input would be appreciated.

 

If you find one that isn't beat to **** (like a majority of them are) then they are alright.

My suggestion? Get some snow tires. Kansas City really is not that bad for snow and even a good set of all seasons would probably get you around just fine. DaveB lives in KS and just runs some good All seasons come snow time.

BTW i am in Minnesota/North Dakota wit a RWD 05 sedan like yours. I have no problems in the snow.

 

I live near Chicago and have survived 3 snowy winters and soon to be 4th with my RWD G. The answer is plain and simple, snow tires. I feel safer driving my RWD G in the snow than a FWD car with A/S tires.

 

They're good cars, just different from the Infiniti G.

I tend to like their performance, but I believe you definitely give up on interior quality and the sport-luxury appeal of the G which is what drew me to her in the first place.

In another thread I mentioned that anyone has more experience driving in the snow than I do. When I do have to drive in the snow, which is maybe twice or thrice a year, I take my 4X4 diesel Dodge out and don't worry about it. The G just sits.

Snow tires seem to do the trick for members here in the same situation as you. Is driving in the snow new to you? If so, maybe some of the lifelong RWD snow drivers can offer tips and techniques the rest of us could use.

If it were me and I was looking for an AWD option, I'd be going for the G35/M35X/FX options for AWD. For me, going to the Subaru is a step down, but I understand and appreciate that others feel differently about it.

I do like the new Impreza STX sport wagon. That might be an option I would consider.

 

I'm not new to driving in the snow but definitely don't have alot of experience being from NC. I have a 22 mile commute to work every day and don't want to end up with the rear end stepping out on me on my way in to work. I just picked up a set of khumo ecsta ASX all seasons. Do you guys really think winter tires on a rear wheel drive will do that well?

 

All seasons will be more than fine on a rear wheel drive. I'm in NYC and our snow gets pretty bad during the peak months of winter and I've been on all seasons since I had the car. My piece of "expert advice", if you get stuck in snow, don't slam on the gas expecting to go anywhere, you'll just dig a deeper hole since you're RWD. Instead, put it in neutral and rock your way out of it, works everytime.

 

Try and see if you can possibly trade in the RWD for a AWD .. Even if you have to put in a little extra cash for something similar but not too much otherwise grab some winter tires you'll be good and maybe through in a few big bags off salt in the trunk to weigh it down lol nah i'm joking ... snow tires and you should be good.

I love STI 's but the interior does suck comparing the G 's and overall i find the G to be a better car i like STI for it's performance and that's about it.

 

I'm not concerned about the interior. I like the idea of a turbocharged car again. I also thought about trading in for an awd g sedan.

 

I don't know why you're joking lol. I forgot to add this in my post that this helped me a lot. I put 4 bags(50 lbs each) in my trunk during the winter, 2 on top of each rear wheel and it REALLY helped.

 

^^^ lol cause someone was laughing @ me when I said to do that here local lol.. I've seen 2 people do it in a sedan and I'm sure it helps a lot I've never tried it though so wouldint know... Don't drive my G in winter anyways.

 

when I was young I remember the neighbor who was an "engineer" had a ~90-92 accord. It snowed its *** off one day and we looked out the window to see him loading bags of sand into the trunk and driving off with the rear of the car squatting down and the front end looking like it was jacked up on hydraulics or something. I lul'd

 

If you are honestly THAT worried about the RWD thing, just trade it off for an AWD G35X. They are getting dirt cheap and you could probably get away with not paying much and you'd get the same performance as your current car. Then you can drive around year round and never have to change your tires (especially in KC)

The rear doesn't 'step out' in this car unless you have VDC off. With it on, you stay straight as an arrow.

I love STis and I love subarus and have 3 in our driveway including an STi, but the problem with used ones is the fact that they have a lot of miles for a lower price (subarus hold their value quite well) and the fact that 95% of the turbocharged ones have been beat to living ****.

You are much better off sticking to what you got or something similar.

 

Unless you drive like an idiot, the rear end isnt coming out. As Janik said, VDC will catch it. I dont like the idea of adding weight to the rear, because it increases the chances of the rear swining out around turns. It really only helps with initial traction. Tires are the KEY.

AWD is not a requirement to get through snow. Everything was open-dff RWD back in the day and there was no fancy traction/stability systems or ABS. People survived.

I dont know how it is where you live, but around here snow is cleared off the streets very quickly. The overuse of salt makes me sick. The VDC system on our cars rocks in the snow, it really helps alot. I've only had to disable it once when I was plowed in and had to back out on an incline.

 

Subys are money pits as well. They respond so well to mods, you will see that almost none for sale are stock. Also the WRX must be professionally tuned with just about ANY mod. And yes, the interiors are plain and plastic, a huge complaint in the suby world.

If you are going to get a pre 2007 try to find an STI. So much more car for the money, and won't need all the mods like a wrx to wake them up. Subys have issues as well - check out www.nasioc.com for issues and suggestions.

I will say that 300 AWD HP (to the wheels) is a blast to drive and will smoke just about most cars on the street. I just got tired of the older econobox style of the 02-07 wrx. I am in the market for a new car and it will either be 2008 STI / 2011 wrx (new widebody) or an 05/06 G35x.

Good luck, and if you have any suby questions please feel free to PM me. Here is a picture of my car (the guy I sold it to just sold it to buy a vette)
2004 WRX

 

Why give up your G for a weather condition that only really exists three to four months out of a year?

Did you consider buying a winter beater? You can pick up an Infiniti G20 touring (fwd with lsd), B13 Sentra SE-R (fwd with lsd), or Nissan 200SX SE-R for under $2k in mechanically excellent condition. They get ~30 mpg, are reliable enough to survive a zombie holocaust, have surprisingly nice interiors, and are insanely fun to drive (for a fwd car). You'll save money by being able to carry liability-only insurance on it and not having a car payment. And frankly, once you drive one, you'll fall in love with them. I own a 1994 G20 touring. It's extremely reliable, never gets stuck (and in cleveland we get snow by the foot, not by the inch like in KC), and even in the dry it's a joy to drive because of its SR20DE, IRS, and good power-to-weight ratio. I have less than $1500 invested.