I'm considering leasing a G when my Acura CL lease is up in another month. Of course my current car is FWD. I haven't had any problems at all in the Indiana winters (I'm 2 hrs south of Chicago in Lafayette, IN) with my Acura. I'm trying to determine if I really need the G35x. Can I live with the normal RWD G35 with only the all-season tires that come with it? I absolutely do not want to purchase winter tires and change them twice/season. If I need the x I'll get it, but if those of you who have the regular G tell me that I'll be fine, then that's what I'll probably get to save some $$$ and since the performance is slightly better.

Thanks!

Ernest

 

The stock tires and RWD will be terrible in the snow. I've driven RWD cars plenty here in MA (and I was in South Bend for 4 years too) and never had a problem until I got my G. The big wide tires just kill you in the snow.

Blizzaks are ****ing amazing in the snow. With them, my G is better in the snow than my wife's FWD Golf.

I know you don't want the switchover hassle, but here are some thoughts:

The cost difference between AWD and RWD is about $2K (I think). I got a set of 16" rims and Blizzaks from Tire Rack for $950.

The winter salt and sand will really beat up your factory rims. I went through just a couple of storms on the stock rims before I got my winter package- it shows. The stock rims' finish seems particularly fragile compared to others I've owned.

You can't get the 6MT in AWD, right?

Good luck with your decision!

 

Unless you really need the AWD, for the additional cost of the X, you could ge second set of winter wheels/tires and still have money left over.

 

I'll get an auto even if I get the RWD......I'm just not that used to a manual transmission! Right, the G35x only comes in auto.

So are the Blizzaks (never heard of them) the best winter tires you can get for the G? How much does a dealer usually charge to make the change each time? Can you fit all 4 in the car in order to get them to the dealer?

Thanks!

 

Also, I'll be leasing, so I wouldn't have to pay the entire difference between the RWD & AWD.

 

The ride on the G35x is somewhere between the premium and the performance. Having driven both 2005 models, I greatly preferred the G35X suspension and ride. I do not know if it is the extra stiffness or the extra 150lbs., but the ride is very solid and stable at all speeds. The RWD feels a bit "lighter" on the road.

I found the premium ride to have a bit too much roll, and the performance ride was too harsh on rough roads.

The G35X also has better quality sound insulation than the RWD car. When I drove the G35X for 3 weeks, I never noticed the right rear road noise on wet roads, that sounds like the rear window or door is slightly open. First time out in the rain with the RWD G35, and I'm looking back checking the window and door thinking it's open. After checking the sound insulationon both cars, I find the G35X had a much better quality product.

Other than that, the 2 are identical.

 

The two types that I've heard good things about are Blizzaks from Firestone and Hakkepelite (sp?) from Nokian (not Nokia). The Blizzaks get knocked for lasting 2-3 seasons max (I don't know if that's true but it's the buzz). The Nokians are supposed to last really well. I think they are very similar in performance. My friend has the Nokian's on his 325i and is really happy with them. I think it's hard to find the Nokians compared to Blizzaks which can be bought all over the place.

I had my set shipped from tire rack to an independent. They charged < $35 for the switch over. They gave me bags for the summer tires and I fit two in the trunk and two in the back seat (along with the child seat - all four could have gone in the back seat).

Also, the TPMS (tire pressure monitor system) thing is nothing to worry about. I've had the winter rims (no TPMS transmitter) on for ~3 months. I've only seen the dash indicator light up twice and it's never beeped or shown up on the nav system as an alert. Apparently the system knows the difference between missing TPMS transmitters and actual low tire pressure.

BTW, tire rack will sell you rims with the TPMS things installed- I don't know what the cost is prabaly pretty high though. You can also move the transmitters to your new rims but that pretty much obliterates the convenience of having two full sets of wheels and risks damage to the transmitters.

 

I have the 2004 G35x. I wanted the AWD particularly for snow, but do not overlook the advantage of the AWD in other situations, including rain, sleet and the odd sandy road.

The advantage to me of not having to worry about buying, storing, changing, when to change (and when willwe have the last snow this year!) extra tires is substantial. I've only had mine since October, but we've had a lot of snow and salt and I don't see damage to the wheels yet (maybe I'm lucky so far-I'll keep looking).

These are powerful cars, and as Toruki indicated, the RWD in slippery stuff could be difficult. I know a lot of you won't agree and I have not driven a RWD G35 in the snow, but I have driven a number of other less powerful RWD cars and they can present you with........surprises.

To me. the X handles very well with much power and I think it is great. Good luck with your decision.

 

I have a 2003.5 6MT that came with the summer Goodyear GSD's. To say they're bad in the snow is an understatement. I bought the first winter 4 16" blizzaks from tirerack with the rims. I change them myself in the garage.
The car has no difficulty what so ever in the NY winters and can make it up hills with the Blizzaks. After two seasons they still look fine
Marko

 

Doesn't leasing a car make your exposure to wear and tear even greater, in the short term, than a purchase? With that in mind, I would find the G35x small insurance against Indiana winters.

 

I'd get the X. AWD has advantages in all types of weather. I especially like it in the rain. If I wasn't using my windsheild wipers, you would think the roads were dry. It feels solid even in heavy downpours. In the snow, it is simply awesome. I don't regret the X at all. BTW, it the dry, it is RWD only...unless it feels a slip.

 

I went from a CL S to a G35x. I would say get the X unless you want to get snow tires. My CL was marginal in snow with the stock tires and while I am not thrilled with the stock EL42s on the 05, it did pretty well in the snow this season.

I would prefer a different stock tire on the G. If there was, it would even do better in the snow x model or not

I ended up getting blizzaks for the CL. If the G35x had them the car would be amazing in the snow.

Aside from that, as long as you can live with 21 miles per gallon then get the x. The best I have done is 22 in the winter. I expect to avg as much as maybe 23 in the warmer months. My CL S always got between 23-27 so expect the x to get 19-23. I like the lower end power the x has over the Cl as well as the better handling. The 55 series tires are more forgiving on NE roads.

 

How is the acceleration of the x from a start compared to the CL S? I just have a regular CL, and I still think the low-end torque is pretty good.

 

I wish i wasn't a stick shift devotee, I would have loved to have the G35X. My wife has the AWD Jag with all season tires and the car goes through everything. If I was looking for an automatic, it would be a no brainer. If only the G35X came in a stick.....

 

Thanks Rich! I bought our x last July and we are currently living in NY. I thought we could possibly be moving to TX at that time and I bought the x for 'any contingency' either NY winters or TX floods. Well, TX is now a reality and we'll be heading down there this summer. I am glad to hear the x performs well in the rain/foul weather. We have less than 5k so far and I never did get to drive it in the snow. Oh well.

I don't regret the x one bit either. For the record Ernest, if I still lived in Detroit, I'd get the x with a set of Blizzaks. Unstoppable! Or "stoppable" I should say. I had Blizzaks on the wifes Toyota out there and that thing handled like a slot car in the snow. Good luck.