im in baltimore and i have a 6MT. get the manual. awd would have helped out a day or two in that snow, the rest of the days we had plow issues, work was cancelled anyways.

 

RWD all the way, I live in canada and have a rwd with all seasons, Sometimes over night we get 6'' or snow, i got stuck 1 Time due to a snow drift. go for awd if you are not sure if you can handle rwd in the snow.

 

well where u from if there is snow our u get x then if not get stick or this find x that come in stick lol

 

get the 6MT. Easier to mod

 

^^ +1. I have an AWD because I live where we get lots of snow every winter, but as well balanced as this car is front to rear, I know that a RWD with good snow tires will get you through the kind of winters you normally have. My AWD is a monster in the snow and I'm 100% confident in its ability to get me pretty much anywhere, but if I lived in a milder climate like the DC area, I'd get a RWD. The modding options can't be overstated. AWD misses out on some fairly big upgrades like front sway bars and, until very recently, coilovers (we still only have 1 option). You'll also have to upgrade your brakes eventually if you get a 2005 AWD, which has the older, brake dustier setup.

 

go get a audi a4 or s4 they are all wheel drive and manual or bmw335xi

 

...and pay higher maintainence costs.

 

I have the X and I love it. I thought I wanted manual transmission but the infiniti awd system is so good, its worth giving up manual.

 

X dont come in stick.
Its really up to you OP, i think if you get a manual and slap on some snow tires you will be fine.

Just a note, the X is limited on exhaust parts and suspension parts. 1)Transfer case is always in the way 2)Front shocks are different...therefore as of now no front sway bar fits, and your limited to one choice of coilovers. Also a few tie braces don't fit.

This is if you plan on modding the car of course

 

I too have driven a manual for my whole life and now own a 05 X. Do I miss stick? Once in a blue moon. Otherwise, I love having the manumatic. Its not the same, but it is fun. I was really glad to have the awd this winter (I live in the DC area too.)

Also having paddleshifters is a plus too.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

+1 on that

It's the OP's call. He's the one that needs to drive it.

 

the AWD also gets a bit less MPGs. I agree, my AWD is better in the snow than my old 4Runner. For the crap we get here (b/c the plowing sucks) it helps.

 

I love the AWD in the rain as well. We have a highway near me that honestly should not be a highway. It's main st...but it's a 3-lane highway with a 55MPH speed limit...and stores and homes on the right hand side. Pulling out of the driveway requires merging into what is basically the Indy 500 from a dead stop.

In the rain, this can be scary because traffic is doing 40-50MPH and you need to merge 90* onto the "highway" and get up to that speed quickly. You usually spin tires.

AWD helps a TON. Simply put the shifter in manumatic to hold 1st gear, and turn onto the road and floor it. I love the AWD more for the ability to merge safely on this road i travel nearly 3-4 times a day than in the snow.

 

I do plan on modding so that would make a difference. I guess I need to go take a test-drive of both and see if it would make a difference. I also plan o getting a mustang for a race/project car so if i do get auto i guess i wouldn't miss it that much. Thanx for the advice.