Hi, I am in the market for the 2007 G35 in Chicago, and couldn't decide on
G35s or the X.

I like the look of the S better, the 18" wheel, smaller wheel well gap,
better looking side sill, sport seat..... but I am worry how the S perform
on snow with "Winter" tires. I used to own a 2002 IS300, and I hated it
when there is 0.5" snow or more on the ground with all-season tires (never
tried winter tires before I sold it) I was having problem going straight driving
10mph and going up the slope from dead stop.

My question is with Winter tires: Does the G35s handle as good as the
G35x with all seasons tries on snow/ice?

Thanks in advanced.

 

Well, some people might say that the "S" will be better with Winter Tires, but I really think that the "X" is better. Before, we had a RWD car, and even with winter tires it had trouble getting up the steep slopes coming from a dead stop. However, we have no problems going up the hill with the "X" and winter tires. The "S" looks great, but I would recommend the "X" for Chicago.

And anyways, In the summer you can probably buy the 18's. That's what we will probably do, or just get aftermarket ones.

 

i'm in the minority, but i PREFER rwd and winters for control. you can steer with throttle or wheel.

 

I am on my fourth winter driving a RWD G35 and I haven't encountered one single issue so far. It is all about driving accordingly and getting a good set of snow tires. I briefly considered getting an X this time around, but the Sport offered too many things that I wanted. It might be just me, but I'd much rather have a Sport with 4 winter tires than an X with all seasons. Besides, the RS-As that come with the X are horrible.

 

If your main concern is safety in winter conditions then the X with winter tires is the way to go. If you don't have that worry than the sport with snows will be great for you.

 

Thanks for all the replies, keep them coming
Really like to hear from all the RWD with winter tires experience.

I know how to handle driving on snow and very careful driver when
the weather get bad. The Is300 experience scared me.

 

A good set of snow tires on RWD makes a huge difference. The stock tires on the S are terrible in the snow.
The X will be the best option for the wet/snow roads.

 

I actually hate FWD in the snow because once you start understeering there is nothing you can do to correct it. With RWD you can at least do a controlled fishtail to correct the situation...plus it's fun.

I am in the Chicago suburbs and have a Sport AT, but use a beater in the snow so don't know how the G would handle. Seems like a lot of people around the area have a real turd car for the winter in addition to their nicer car(s).

 

My S sucks w its stock tires. But my old G RWD with Mich XAS was great in the snow, wet and dry, so its is really the stock performance Bridgestones that are not up to it. That said, I have been using my neighbors Audi all day here with 3 inches and freezing rain, driving cautiously and its almost like there is nothing out of the ordinary- it just goes, up hill and around corners. If you have lot of snow/slippery roads the X is the way to go.

 

I also have friends with rwd with winters and still said its scary. If you have short winters and have a spare set of winter tires, I say go sports just for the extra cool stuff(bigger brakes, nicer rims, and especially gas mileage). But nothing will beat the piece of mind of awd with winter tires, especially if you have family members who use your car from time to time. Gas mileage may suck but I've came across many situations crossing snow where it would have been impossible to get out off if u had only front or rear drive only. Like meter parking in deep snow/ ice covered. You may be slip sliding into someone's car without at least 2 more tires figuring out the best grip for ya.

Or if u dont have space or too lazy to switch tires twice a year, I'd suggest awd if u live in the snow belt.

 

I just got into a G35x and I love it. I live in Buffalo and so far this car has handled great. I used to drive a RWD truck and the only problems I had were after I made dead stops (pulling out of my driveway or at lights and stop signs) when the streets were not plowed. I totally agree with being able to control a RWD car a little better due to the fishtailing but, snow tires or not, you are going to feel your tires spin after making a dead stop. Which to me was very annoying. I can give this car plenty of gas after stopping in the snow and experience little to no problems. I'm going to assume it wouldn't be the same with RWD and 300+ hp.

 

My last car was a BMW 3-series (RWD), and I used to put snow tires on it in the winter.

I just got an X, and there is a huge difference between the AWD and the RWD BMW with snow tires. Of course, I can't speak to the RWD G35 with snow tires, but I can tell you that the AWD X is better than anything I've ever driven in snow. AWD makes a big difference.

Plus, not changing all the tires twice a year is nice.

 

Had the same decision as you; live in Chicago suburbs. My better half had been driving a Acura for 5 years before we got the G35 Sport. She was scared to death of moving away from FWD, but she like the looks of the Sport more than the X. Took the car to The Tire Rack; got some Blizzak winter tires with 17 inch wheels. She has not had 1 problem with the snow tires in the snow. She sais the car is just as stable as her old TL. Now if Infiniti would give us all a grill that would not pit and chip after 3 months....

 

Completely disagree. Depending on the climate you are in, the RS-As could be completely acceptable depending on the level of winter you get. I love mine and my neighbor with a RWD Acura has them as well.

 

I love the sport but I'd say go with the G35x with snow tires. You won't get a much dependable car/tire combo than that. Of course, I have only driven a G35x and FX35 AWD in winter so I can't tell you how a RWD G with snows would act.