I'm ready to turn in my '05 G35x and was considering my options. I really didn't drive it much in the snow and would rather spend the $$$ from the AWD on the Nav package.

I looked at a Journey today with the Sport, Premium and Nav package that seems just right. But I'm concerned that getting the "summer" tires might be a mistake. Is the handling of the "sport" models affected only by snow or does just cold weather have an impact? How differently does it handle in the rain?

I want a fun car - but I still want it as safe as possible. Assuming that I'll never drive it in the snow, is the Sport package a mistake for someone living in the US North East?

Thanks for any thoughts!
Ken

 

The sport package is fine in almost any climate but summer tires are garbage on cold roads, snowy or not.

 

^^^+1

 

If you never drive it in snowy or icy conditions you should be ok. Just take it easy on cold days, try not to do any drifting

Rain is no problem.

 

Thanks for the prompt replies. Since I really know very little about this issue - at what air temperature do summer tires become desirable?

From a few articles I read last night, it sounds like I should probably go with the X over the S even though I'd prefer the sportier ride. I really don't want to have to worry too much if I'm driving my kids to school in January.

Thanks again,
Ken

 

Summer tires start to lose some of their traction at temps of 50F (10C) and less . So really if you see very litle snow but cold temps you are better to get All Seasons, or if you do encounter snow and ice you are better to get dedicated winter tires.

 

Then again, a set of dedicated winter tires and wheels is pretty inexpensive.

Why not just do that? Then you can enjoy the S the rest of the year (really the majority of the year)

 

I'm reluctant to buy an extra set of tires/wheels for a leased car. But, out of curiousity, what would a decent set of all season tires/wheels run me?

Madchef - I see that you are in the North East as well, are you changing tires in the winter?

Thanks all - I need to make a decision today.

Ken

 

Agreed, unless you've personally witnessed how bad summer tires perform in cold/snow weather, it's hard to understand. Downright scary is one way to put it. Below 45 degrees, the soft summer-only rubber gets hard as a rock. But I've had numerous RWD cars with snow tires and all have out-performed any of my wife's front-drive cars with all-seasons.

Cost? Decent or enought to get by? Tirerack has packages for 17 inch tires/wheels. You could get a package for <$1100 shipped.

 

Why is that? My G is leased yet I still purchased a dedicated set of winter wheels/tires. Why risk your life for the sake of a few hundred bucks? I think you are crazy even considering driving with summer tires in the Northeast during the winter. Just my .02 cents.

 

Around $1000

Already got my snows on

 

Garnet - thanks for your reply.

Just to clarify - now that I understand that there is an issue with the summer tires in cold climates, I am NOT considering using summer tires through the winter. When I started the thread, I was under the (wrong) assumption that summer tires are only an issue in the snow. I didn't understand that cold weather has an impact on their performance. The honest truth is that I don't know much about cars, but I love the G!

The reason that I won't get a set of winter tires on a leased car is strictly financial. For my purpose, I'd rather get the AWD than the S with extra wheels/tires to consider. That just my personal preference.


My dealer came back to me with a decent offer on a 2008 G35x with Premium, Nav and Tech packages and I'm just about ready to give it the "OK." Thanks again for all the opinions here.

Ken

 

Just as long as you won't regret it...plenty of threads here of people stating "I wish I would have got the <fill in the blank>". EBay, Craigslist, and this forum can provide a great set of cheap 17 inch wheels that would suit you. Heck even negotiate with the dealer to see if they will throw in winter tires. You just never know.

If its financial hard to argue though...you can only do what you can do. I just hope that the right decision comes your way. Either way...I haven't seen someone yet that has been overall disappointed with their G no matter what model they go.

 

How can you tell on just a cold road under normal driving conditions? Are there certain signs to watch out for? I'm not planning on winter tires here in NM, but it does get cold still, although it is a different cold than the NE experiences.

 

Tom, last spring I put my 18" PIAAs on a bit early, we were still getting pretty cold at nights, and I still had the Michelin PS2 Summer Performance tires on them. When it got cool out I had my slip[ light coming on quite a bit, both on straight line acceleration and turns. I definitely lost a lot of traction when it got cooler, although the AWD took care of that and would kick in a lot more.
For Spring, Summer, and Fall I was going to stay with summer performance tires but that changed my mind and I purchased Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons for my 18's and just love them.
I still run my 17" Blizzaks for Winter.

Tom I'm sure you will have no problem but just drive conservatively when your outside temp gets 50F or cooler.