Took the X out this morning to evaluate it's snow capabilities. I was extremely impressed. We currently have about 8 inches on the ground, and my neighborhood was not plowed. My driveway is very long and uphill, so I had my doubts. The G handled everything effortlessly. I was in snow mode, and my tires are low mileage, but I really had my doubts with the stock touring tires.

Today really made my re-think my decision about putting on snow tires next year, although with 20K more miles it still may be wise. I have owned an AWD Subaru Legacy before, and the G did as well or better in the snow.

I really bought AWD for it's rain advantages more than snow, since we don't get all that much here in MD, but I am one happy camper after todays test

 

Good to hear! Funny how these threads always come up when it snows . So you bought the X for rain reasons?.... With the RWD & VDC (turned on that is), it's pretty much idiot-proof.....then there's stories of guys who turn off the VDC & rack up their car!

 

I also got up this morning and pulled out of the driveway with 9 inches on the ground and drove right up the hill with no problem, really liked the handling, I put it in snow mode and had a great time, a very reliable car and really didn't feel any slipping even though the slip light came on to indicate that it was slipping LOL, great car

 

Yea, the technology is amazing these days. There is a clear advantage with AWD in the rain, even though the computer will keep both safe. Part of the reason is that with AWD you have a secret weapon in the turns called power. Power with AWD can actually accelerate recoveries in the twisties. With RWD it will simply amplify the probems. On a windy wet road AWD will scoot through turns where the RWD car will either slow down due to electronic intervention or lose control if the electronics are turned off.

Plus, nothing beats pulling away from a light with a car next to you that has much higher hp while he spins tires. The look on their face is priceless.

 

So much snowwwwwwwwww out there. I thought about going out to play with the X but I got the 18 sports installed yesterday and afraid to get it dirty. It's too clean looking now. Maybe I'll change my mind when it accumulates more snow later.

I drove it in a snow storm last year and it was fun fun fun!

 

Did you take any pictures?

 

i have never owned a rwd car before i have been driving honda's since i was 18 (i will be 26 tommorow Happy birthday to me) but i was really scared about getting a rwd car but all the cars that i had intrest in getting were rwd i was looking at the bmw 5series but i ended up getting the g35 and i said today will tell me if i will truely be happy with the car and it drove beautifuly and i was very shocked because for years i've seen rwd cars just stuck on the side of the road or just spinning and not going anywhere and i laughed because my honda cruised right passed them no prob. but the g35 drives great in the snow and i can imagine how the g35x handles.

 

Took pics at my house but not when driving the X. If you want to see house pics, I'd be glad to post...

 

I dont even use the snow mode. There must be 4 inches of snow on the ground. We used to spend hours with our BMW (ok, at least 20 minutes of back breaking work) shoveling out our rwd cars. with the X, I just put it into Reverse and Romp on the throttle! The G35x drives on rails in the snow. If there is any slipage, I just tap the gas a bit and the front wheels kick in. Down shifting for stops help a great deal too.

All our RWD cars have all seasons on them, but they will just slow down traffic in the snow.

 

You mean garage pics of your car?

 

No, of the exterior of the house with all the snow. I do have pics in the driveway of the G, but not from today.

When I got back to the garage after my drive, the snow was packed in the front spoiler and above my license plate, to give an idea of how deep the snow was this morning.

 

Oh believe me, I know. I live in NY. Just came back from walking around the neighborhood.

 

The GS 430 would not pull out of its parking space and the wheels where locked. So, I turned off its traction control (VSC) and romped on the throttle. The car pulled out right away without making a scene. Its amazing that I had to turn off those Lexus Electronics ("WARNING: DO NOT TURN OFF IN ADVERS WEATHER" probably says that in the manuel.) just to get the car moving. The throttle was completely de activated! The Nissan system is definitly better than any other Japaneese car, if not better than many germen systems.

 

BTW snow mode still works with the Vortech and Utec.

 

Whats a Utech! I want a Vortech!!! is that vortech a bitch to maintain?!