This is the biggest misconception out there. As Shredx states above, the X is far superior in the rain. You have to drive one in it to understand. There are not too many states that are free from rain.

I'd get the X.

 

I never considered the x. Maybe Next week I will go give it spin. I do value its all wheel drive capabilities. I just wanted the most performance oriented sedan at the time. If the x was @ the top. I probably would be pushing a x now. Forgot, I also wanted a 6mt. So no x was in the running.

 

Agreed-


I have an X- I get 17 in the city just like the rest of you x owners. I live in California though I have a place in Tahoe. The X allows me to be a weekend warrior without putting on chains- The car is great in the snow and rain.
I use the XGT Z rated M&S tires in the winter on the stock 17s- 18 inch OEM sport wheels from April to November.


Compared to the 05 RWD loaners, the steering feels heavier with less feel on the X. Additionally, the RWD cars feel lighter on their feet in day to day driving.
The X might be a tad quicker off the line, though falls off sharply relative to the RWD models at highway speeds. INMHO, the RWD cars pull much harder at freeway speeds, where the X sort of falls on it's face at around the century mark. Credit the extra weight and gearing?
I'll add that the 6-speed cars are really quite different- The engine revs quicker, the drivetrain is way more connected. A different car, with similar attributes.

Just adding the 18 inch sport wheels really helps matters when it comes to handling. However, the car could still use better dampening and that's just not an option.

I guess the big question is would I buy the X again- During the winter, I'll tell you yes. During the Summer, I dream of a 6-speed-

If they offer a 6-speed X on the next model, I'd trade

Just some clarification for one of the other posters-
From a start : 75% rear by default off the line until what, 19mph?.
Up to 50/50 split available
50/50 locked up until around 19mph with the snow button clicked on.

 

Yup. I agree. The higher # gearsets allow the X make up it's low speed acceleration but you can't get over the extra weight and transaxle forever. But if I had or needed a AWD sedan, the G would DEFINATELY be it.

 

Truth be told, I was expecting at least B5 S4 performance on the freeway. The reallity is quite different. My pal had an S4 stock would tear through 4th gear in a car that weighed about the same. I might go put my X on a scale for fun just to see how heavy it really is.....


A bit off topic Jeff, just curious, how does your car do in the mileage department?

 

I think those turbo cars can keep their torque curves up much better up high. I think the VQ35 needs better breathing via a spacer, Mrev++ and intake etc..

My navi allows me to track mileage. Stock, I got just around 20-21mph. I added the 19s and the mileage seemed to suffer by about 1mph. I've since put my Z tube and K&N panel back on and am waiting for the next tank to finish. I drive a combo of highway/city as I drive my daughter to grandmas during the morning commute

 

I won't dispute the benefits of the X, but I have to ask the question about "better handling." I've never driven an X, so I can't comment from personal experience in the car. However, one of the inherent behaviors of AWD is understeer/push. Take the subies for example. They plow like crazy, but can be thrown around like few cars.

So, does the X plow/push/exhibit understeer?

I'm not taking anything away from the x, so if anybody wants to get all hurt chill out. I'm just trying to clarify a bit of the more generic terms. Just because a car has greater performance, or better track times, does not necessarily mean it handles well.

 

Thanks for info. Funny how my non-nav car doesn't even have a trip computer like my Passat. Then again, my Passat couldn't hold a candle to even the X's performance level. Just for reference, my Passat 30valve 5-speed got about 19mpg on the same commute where the G does 17-

My 1.8t Passat 5-speed was able to achieve 23mpg on the same commute.

I'd like to put on a spacer makes all kinds of sense. Then again, without suspension, I'm shying away from pulling the trigger.
I drove a 2005 6-speed coupe the other day with exhaust and an intake- That felt like 298hp to me. My 280horsepowered X feels more like 240 or so.
See, there I go again.....Dreaming.

When the snow starts to fall, I'll be telling you how great the X is

 

I think most of that 17 mph is from having to use the high gears. You get better acceleration but the mileage goes down.

 

oversteer!!!! you can wack the tail of the X around corners, no joke!!!! even the magazines confirm that this is the most RWD biased system out there!
its really cool, you can whip it around the corner, but you wont over over steer.

the attesa system is one of the most interesting systems to fool around with it. when you get a G35x loaner, drive it like you would your rwd and see how interesting it really is!! you can slide the tail out but it will correct you and bring you back to neutral.

 

Steeper gearing is offered to the X to compensate the weight difference between the AWD and the RWD.. they indeed have 3.53 FD; while an AT RWD has 3.3 FD

 

I love my X. I also have a RWD car and Ill tell you one thing. No freakin snow tire will even come close to a AWD car like the X. I had snow tires on my 240 for one winter before it became a project car....and YES it was better, but it was still a bitch even with sand bags.

Thats when I bought a 91 GSX for daily driving and winter. The car was so much fun that I found myself driving the 1G more than the 240....even with 1/3 the power. Soon the 1G had a new turbo etc. etc. and eventually I decided I dont need 2 project cars, but I decided the next car I buy would have AWD.

The X was a perfect fit. Looks great, handled well, had just enough hp and it was AWD....not to mention it was a Nissan.

The X has perfect road manners when it comes to snow,rain or dry and I drive like a maniac so I would know. Its a very well balanced car that remains predictable at all times. Yet its still fun to drive. Just enough sideways action to keep me happy....not on dry tho

Oh!! and it flatspins better than my 91 GSX ever did.

 

How it this statement:

Originally Posted by OCG35
Since you live in WA the AWD will be useful in the winter... otherwise I don’t know why you would want it. - not slamming the X, I just don’t see a benefit in fair weather states.

A “misconception???!!! It indicates your exact post. WA is riddled with rain! And FYI, in case you were unaware, there any MANY states that don’t have much rain… certainly not enough to warrant a vehicle based on inclement weather performance. I happen to live in one.

 

Dude, slow down and read.........

"Since you live in WA the AWD will be useful in the winter... otherwise I don’t know why you would want it. "

My point was you can benefit in a state like WA or any other state where it rains regularly. Not just in the winter as quoted above. Understand?

 

The guy livers in WA - it rains mainly in the winter - there are states that have light amount of rain/snow - Understand?!

Take at look at the number of X's in fair weather states and compare to X's in states with heavier concentration of inclement weather. Then maybe you will "understand" and not respond to my posts as "misconception".