First snow driving experience not good...
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: St. Paul, MN
Originally Posted by G35er_in_TO
The trade off ofcourse is that studless snow tires are usually really bad at anyhting otehr than snow - i.e. ice, wet, dry, etc. You want a tire that will perform really well in the snow/ice - without compromising your dry/wet driving (which is the majority of the time depending on where you live - such as the Greater Toronto Area/GTA) - hence a winter performance tire usually makes more sense. My dad put hard-core studless snow tires (Yokohama's) on his Lexus and he says that he's driving a death trap anytime there isn't any snow on the ground. Just my 2 cents.
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted by dopey
I don't know that I'd call studless snow tires a death trap. Most studless snow tires are Q speed rated. You just can't be an idiot and tear out in them. Obviously, any snow tire is a compromise for performance tires and studless more so than a performance snow tire, but you just have to pay attention.
These are far better than the Pirelli 210 SNowsport H-rated performance winters I used to have on a RWD 3-series. OK on dry/wet roads, not that great on snow/ice though.
Last edited by ac328; Nov 30, 2007 at 01:13 PM.
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From: St. Paul, MN
Originally Posted by ac328
I have Mich X-Ices (Q rated studless tire) on my car. Great in snow and ice, and not bad at all on dry/wet roads. I certainly wouldn't call them a "death trap"!
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Sonoran Desert
It's a case of "horses for courses" and Infiniti does offer the "x" model. It does cost a little more, weighs a little more and in 2007 only came with the automatic transmission and 17" wheels.
Although I live in the desert foothills (we get flash floods in monsoon season) I still believed it was worth getting the "x" so I would be able to drive the car, no matter where I ended up living.
As it turns out, the performance of the "x" is not significantly less than its RWD brothers, the automatic was a very pleasant surprise and I am now very glad I got the "x".
For those guys who know, with certainty, that they will encounter bad weather in the winter, it would probably be no surprise for them to opt for the "x" model unless they were willing to put their beloved Infiniti away until May.
I didn't particularly want the G35 but got stuck with it...now I love the thing, even though I believe it's an "ugly duckling"
Although I live in the desert foothills (we get flash floods in monsoon season) I still believed it was worth getting the "x" so I would be able to drive the car, no matter where I ended up living.
As it turns out, the performance of the "x" is not significantly less than its RWD brothers, the automatic was a very pleasant surprise and I am now very glad I got the "x".
For those guys who know, with certainty, that they will encounter bad weather in the winter, it would probably be no surprise for them to opt for the "x" model unless they were willing to put their beloved Infiniti away until May.
I didn't particularly want the G35 but got stuck with it...now I love the thing, even though I believe it's an "ugly duckling"
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,281
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From: Aurora, IL
I drive my RWD G with Blizzaks WS50's through the winter snow and haven't had any issues. Granted it's pretty flat around here and there aren't any uphills for me to tackle.... I don't regret not getting the "x"....
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico
I'd say you probably just have to get used to the difference between FWD and RWD in the snow, I have never owned a FWD vehicle, and have always done okay in snow and ice, it's tricky, but it's always been the others out on the road I worry about. Even with light rear ended pickups I've done okay. So, I'd since this was your first foray driving the G in snow, you'll get better at it as the winter passes. Hang in there!
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by Sideshow7208
Thanks for the feedback so far. I will definitely try adding weight to the back on snowy days, and I may look into getting some different winter tires for the rear. Would going with something wider help? I have 8" wheels so I should be able to go up to to 245/45/18.
By the way, I did have a full tank of gas during this experience.
I guess I wasn't the only one with a problem. From a local press story on numerous accidents today: "Slick, snow-covered roads made the morning commute trickier than normal, as a few inches of snow had a layer of ice underneath."
When I was making my buying decision I considered the X, but I really wanted the 6MT. I was ultimately convinced by the number of posters on this and other boards who said they hadn't had problems with RWD when they'd used winter tires. Of course that's what I wanted to read, so perhaps I suffered some selective perception... I thought that AWD was mostly marketing hype and extra weight, but this experience trying to get up an icy incline has changed my mind somewhat (assuming the problem isn't the tires or my lack of winter RWD driving experience).
By the way, I did have a full tank of gas during this experience.
I guess I wasn't the only one with a problem. From a local press story on numerous accidents today: "Slick, snow-covered roads made the morning commute trickier than normal, as a few inches of snow had a layer of ice underneath."
When I was making my buying decision I considered the X, but I really wanted the 6MT. I was ultimately convinced by the number of posters on this and other boards who said they hadn't had problems with RWD when they'd used winter tires. Of course that's what I wanted to read, so perhaps I suffered some selective perception... I thought that AWD was mostly marketing hype and extra weight, but this experience trying to get up an icy incline has changed my mind somewhat (assuming the problem isn't the tires or my lack of winter RWD driving experience).
) whenever I make it up to GR.
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
I'm in Canada as well, so after having an 03 RWD, I went with the 05X & now looking for an 07X!! Of course the sport with manual is nice but if it is cold & snowy the X is more practical & now you can get an 08 X with sport! (no manual thou).
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada
I've been driving a RWD G35 for over 4 years now and have never had a problem. I've been running Blizzaks over the years and haven't had any issues. The amount of snow days I get here didn't warrant getting the X and have no regrets getting the G35S with snow tires.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Leominster, MA
Im here in Boston and get enough snow. I think its your performance winter tires. Usually I keep my tires a bit under inflated for better traction in winter. You will definitely see a difference if you deflate your tires to 26 psi from 32, which should make your tires a bit softer and giving you more traction. Plus going with winter performance tires was a bad decision.. . i say try getting a different set. Someone will buy these tires from ya.
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From: Morris County, NJ
Originally Posted by Sideshow7208
Thanks for the feedback so far. I will definitely try adding weight to the back on snowy days, and I may look into getting some different winter tires for the rear. Would going with something wider help? I have 8" wheels so I should be able to go up to to 245/45/18.
By the way, I did have a full tank of gas during this experience.
I guess I wasn't the only one with a problem. From a local press story on numerous accidents today: "Slick, snow-covered roads made the morning commute trickier than normal, as a few inches of snow had a layer of ice underneath."
When I was making my buying decision I considered the X, but I really wanted the 6MT. I was ultimately convinced by the number of posters on this and other boards who said they hadn't had problems with RWD when they'd used winter tires. Of course that's what I wanted to read, so perhaps I suffered some selective perception... I thought that AWD was mostly marketing hype and extra weight, but this experience trying to get up an icy incline has changed my mind somewhat (assuming the problem isn't the tires or my lack of winter RWD driving experience).
By the way, I did have a full tank of gas during this experience.
I guess I wasn't the only one with a problem. From a local press story on numerous accidents today: "Slick, snow-covered roads made the morning commute trickier than normal, as a few inches of snow had a layer of ice underneath."
When I was making my buying decision I considered the X, but I really wanted the 6MT. I was ultimately convinced by the number of posters on this and other boards who said they hadn't had problems with RWD when they'd used winter tires. Of course that's what I wanted to read, so perhaps I suffered some selective perception... I thought that AWD was mostly marketing hype and extra weight, but this experience trying to get up an icy incline has changed my mind somewhat (assuming the problem isn't the tires or my lack of winter RWD driving experience).
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Originally Posted by G35er_in_TO
Not following? Sorry - what do you mean?
Means, that we didn't get that much snow in Toronto last week (and it didn't last very long either). I'm running Blizzak WS 60's on my 07 g35x and barely felt the snow (they were great)..can't wait for more.