Everything that I have read about the RSAs and feedback from other members indicate that these tires are extremely poor in snow and icy conditions.

 

My Sport with winter tires is not bad at all Alex. Of course an X with winter tires would be even better though.

 

My concern, of course, is that the winters are long here. Much like where you are. Plus, I have to drive long distances, sometimes, on roads that have never seen a plow.

 

Yeah, I hear ya Alex. You can't go wrong with an X. Your FX must make out quite good in winter driving as well eh?

 

Hey I'm certainly not going to argue the fine points of who or how we rate tires, only to say a majority of the poor ratings on Tirerack are from Canada, Western Michigan, Utah etc, places with severe winter conditions. To blanketly dismiss the tire or say that it cant be driven on in the winter - without considering where the feedback comes from or what kind of winter they have - just doesn't make sense. An AWD vehicle with winter tires is overkill in many climates IMO.

 

Yeah, it really does. I've slipped only a couple of times in winter driving and that's only because I thought I was a world rally driver.

It is going to be hard when I part with it.

 

My wifes's FX is great in the winter as well. We were out tolling around today during our blizzard before many of the roads were plowed. I discover tonight that ironically she has RS-As as well. If I didnt think it was ridiculous to have two of the same car I would probably have looked at the FX too, great fun to drive.

 

It isn't really fair to compare the S with winters to the X with AS tires. The AWD system is amazing in getting the car moving and maintaining control while accelerating, but when it comes to traction and stopping you need winters on either car. I'm a little biased, having never driven the RWD model in the snow but I'm sure you will make out just fine with the sport if you have dedicated winter tires installed. For me it was the advanced AWD that attracted me to the new G in the first place.

I have to disagree on the RSAs, you can argue that my experience with them in the GWN was a contributing factor but I found that they just suck on ice. In the few days I was driving my X before getting my Toyo KX winters installed, driving with only a fine dusting of snow they worked out ok. The nightmare came when the snow melted a bit and froze over night, driving on ice with those tires was terrifying.

 

So true Shane and Christian, the stock all season RS-As are not a very good performing tire in the winter, I removed mine after driving about 200 miles in winter conditions, but then again most all seasons will never compare to good winters.

 

Yep. Wayne, I seem to remember describing your ride home after picking up your new G. Didn't you run into a small storm?? I definitely would discourage those with an G35x or FX AWD to use the stock RS-A's in the winter time.

 

OK I think I'll stop arguing this as its clear I am outnumbered and most of you that dont like this tire are from the very far North where winter is actually winter

The bottom line in this area is that having both AWD and winter tires is a waste of time and money. Winter tires would be ruined just by the sheer fact that two days after a snowfall you are back to zipping along in sunshine and perfectly dry pavement. Take today, 6 inches of snow, now rain, back to 50 degrees for the rest of the week. While Toyos or Blizzaks may be perfect with AWD in an actual winter climate, AS tires are more than fine elsewhere. I drove my RWD Z for 3 years with Kuhmo ASXs and they got me through 3 "winters" just fine. I think we have to accept our climate differences as they relate to our choice of tire.

 

dc, this is very true. If I were back at home (Mont. Co., MD) I would go with the S with snow tires, without batting an eye.

 

Yeah, that's exactly us as well, only we were coming from a Mercedes-Benz C class. That thing with winter compared to G35x.... well you can't even compare it!

 

I'm not sure how the new G behaves on the snow.
I have a 04 coupe w/ all season tires for winter. (i sipe the tires)
G is my only car and i think it did just find for the past winters.
btw, i live in chicago surburb too. (Naperville)

Take yesterday's icy rain + snow road condition as example.
My coupe did just fine when i drive in and out the city on I-88 last night.
But I won't go that far to say my coupe can do as well as my friend's murano.
(BUT, he went off the road coming from indiana -_-")

I would say if you really like the S, go w/ the S w/ winter tires for winter.
Just drive carefully during the snow/icy road conditions

Hope this helps

 

Wow! last night freeze rain/snow storm was bad. I am surprised
that your coupe with all season were doing fine.

Thanks for all the replies, I am leading toward the S since most of the owners
with mild winter (like Chicago) are saying fine with winter tires