I think you'd be ok in Central Jersey, but I highly recommend you put a set of Blizzak snows on it. They'll make a remarkable difference. I think north of NYC you start to get into AWD country.

 

I'll just add that the G35X is a pretty popular car in New England in part because it's really nicely handling in the snow. It has some weight to it, and it's just rather stable. When I had Blizzaks on, it was an awesome runner in the snow. You really had to make quite an effort to make it start to lose it. It was at least the equal of an Audi Quattro that impressed me in the snow years ago.

 

I'm going into my 3rd Chicago winter with my RWD G. Just get a set of snow tires and you'll be fine. These cars have great traction control systems and handle suprisingly very good in the snow with the proper rubber and of course common sense.

 

I was driving up the hill the other day in rain going about 25-30mph, maybe less I forget, but I slid twice. Lucky for me, VDC saved the day. About 100 meters farther up, I see a mazda3 do a full 360. I believe mazda3s are FWD, so I would say driver error or stupidity there. I dunno if my summer tires were the issue for my sliding but it must played a part. And the fact that this is my first RWD car which I've owned for 7 months only. Anyway, my point is...get the right tires or you'll slide even in rain if you wanna get the RWD. Why don't you get the g37 AWD and rape snow? I mean if you have the funds...it's always about the money

 

Ok... here's how it is...

Yes, if you get snow tires.

That said, I drive badly paved twisty roads that tilt towards streams on outsides of turns. They are paved with oil and chip, and often have surprise potholes. Because of this, I drive a 2008 AWD G35xS and I have snow tires (on a second set of rims.) I can get on the gas in the fun twisty turns sooner, if there is a surprise, the car handles it better. I laugh at the snow. The ONLY thing I'd be worried about is pure depth of it. The driveway had a 2" shell of ice last year (freezing rain followed by rain followed by a hard freeze) that the car drove up and down (30 degree angle on the driveway) with no problem.

Oh, yeah, and this means when the stock tires wear out, I'm getting summer max-perf tires. Gotta love having the best of both worlds.

And a lot comes down to driving. Go slow, don't make sudden motions, start braking a lot sooner, a lot gentler, etc. and the car will handle it just fine.

My old RWD '95 325i with snow tires was GREAT.

Oh, and if you get the sport package (which comes with bigger 18" rims), you can get 17" rims with the tires, and just do a complete swap. It gives you more sidewall (good in the snow), and the snow tires are cheaper.

Sorry for the ramble... heheh.

 

No need to apologize, this is all very helpful. I like the idea of a second set of tires on cheap rims for winter. Also the RWD drive problem only show when you get on the gas. FWD/RWD cars generally would drive the same if they are both coasting. This means with gradual acceleration and braking and excessive short shifting I think I would be fine...especially with snot tires according to you guys. BTW, this is how I drove my FWD Celica in the snow anyway.

 

Snot tires? I hear they get really sticky! I need a set for my son's little trike.

And yes, both should be the same while coasting, and all cars have 4-wheel-brakes. Where it really shows is when you put the car in a high gear, as a torque divider, and keep low pressure on the gas, so all four wheels are helping pull/push you through the slush - much better than coasting.

But yes, you should be fine if you get a set of snows.

 

I've driven through 3 Chicago winters and white-out blizzard conditions in my RWD w/ Blizzaks without any problems. Just take it easy and you'll be fine... During one blizzard, I was able to track fine through a curve while a FWD Saturn spun out, and an Evo (who was taking the turn too fast) ended up in the grass--and a 4WD Escalade flipped when he jumped the curb (assuming he went too fast too)....

 

you'd be fine with the G35... i spent 2 winters in Boston with my G... and never had a problem. You do get some serious snow up there... in New Jersey... you should be fine.

 

I am up here in Canada, and with a good set of Winters (I use Pirellis) - you will have no issues if you drive with care. I would even 'play' to see what the tires / car would take, and with the traction control system, you would have to F up and / or hit black ice and panic (which no tire is going to help) to have an serious issue.

AWD does drive a bit differently then my RWD sedan, and if you have a AWD in mind, get it. With the snow I experience here, I would only get an AWD if I lived in the outskirts of the city.

 

I had the exact ?'s you do, about 6 yrs. ago when I was in the market for a new car & wanted a G. I live north of Boston and went with RWD and dedicated snow tires. Clearly you haven't driven a car with a good VDC/traction control system. Above, you stated "the RWD problem only show when you get on the gas"....which isn't the case, as long as you have the VDC on and not disabled. You can a RWD G, be standing still at a light with 3" of white fluff on the ground, and when the light turns green, FLOOR IT, and the car will do it's thing & calculate/sense where slippage will occur, and accelerate you as quickly as possible, without the rears braking loose or sliding out! When I was learning how the car would drive in the snow, this truly amazed me.

Are there days up here in the winter where I had an X, I won't lie to you, yes, but the RWD was easier on the wallet and you can get by with a RWD & snows as mentioned several times above. Oh, and you can mod your car easier w/ RWD without limitations, as one would find if they got an X.

 

ive driven, my G in the worst part a snow storm with semi bald front tires,
7MPH + VDC on + heat on full blast = safely arrived at friends house for a winter wonderland