Well, it rains kind of heavy in SoCal today. Since I am a potential owner of G35, I am wondering if G35x will be suitable for me. As most of you know, it doesn't really rain in CA. however, my friends (more than one) got car accdients in rain recently, which really warns me to drive slower and more carefully in this kind of situation.

I wonder how much does the AWD help in rains...

more info and comments will be welcomed!

 

Just get the RWD man :-) I drive in heave snow with the RWD and winter tires here in Toronto and yet have to get stuck anywhere.

I think if you be extra careful specially around the corners you will do fine with the RWD and the VDC.

G35x is a fine car though with probably one fo the best AWD out there but it adds a bit of weight (300 lb.) like carrying an XXL person all the time and also it rides a notch higher, like half an inch or so.

You be the judge :-)

 

driving in the rain calls for good rain tires! The G35 RWD or
AWD should be just fine under wet roads. It's really up to the
driver. Any idiot can spin out on wet roads, with any vehicle.

03 5AT Sedan, sunroof, splashguards, HKS muffler,
14 wire Grounding kit, Z Duct, Stillen HF/AB
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals,
Stillen sway bars S/H. Sport Tuned Suspension

 

I think the biggest problem here in Southern CA are drivers that just don't slow down and use common sense when it rains. We are just too used to dry weather out here! IMO, the RWD G35 will be sufficient.

 

Take a course at a high performance driving school like Bondurant and you will have all the confidence you need driving a RWD car in low traction conditions. Then you just need to avoid the other drivers on the road.

During our wet weather the last couple of days, I drove around some “safe” streets and corners that I am very familiar with to find out the traction limits of my G. I found out how much entry speed the car can handle into a turn and how much throttle it takes before the tires break loose out of a turn or from a stop. Did a little hard breaking, too. Good fun.

I also have a car with ~370 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels, most of which is available between 1500 and 5000 RPM. I have no problem driving it in the rain because I know the vehicle’s limits and don’t drive like an idiot in inclement weather.



*'03.5 MT6 Sedan, Premium, CB*
Z-tube, Pop-Charger, Coupe Mid-Pipe, Autovation pedals

*'00 Saleen S281-SC*
Mucho mods. See it here!

 

Thanks for all your replies!
I drove around 30mph~35mph yesterday because it rained very heavily that i didn't feel safe on my A4 1.8t FF. Maybe i worry too much about this due to the lack of experience of driving in heavy rain!

 

I also vote for the RWD for So Cal use.

Just remember that in a place like So Cal where it doesn't rain often, the first rain in a while will bring out all the oil and other stuff that's been sitting on top of the asphalt. So drive extra carefully until it's all been washed to the curb and into the storm drains.