OK guys and gals I havent been around here in years since I sold my last G35 two and a half years ago. I moved to Chicago and I want back in to a G35 early next year and Im wanting 08-09 G35 not an AWD model. Am I crazy for that with the awful Chicago winters or am I worrying about it too much? Or should I get an AWD model?

 

If you run winter tires you won't have any issues. The AWD makes things even nicer!

 

I picked up my 03 G35 Sport a couple of months back and winter tires were thrown into the sale. the previous owner which purchased the car brand new said that the car drives very well in the snow with snow tires. So we will see when winter comes.

 

I have an 04 g35 with winter tires on separate rims and it drives well in the snow. I recommend having different sets so tires wont wear out quick

 

coupe driver from Chicago here.... i made it thru last winter on all seasons... got rides to work on the real bad days... would I recommend u take my strategy? hell no, get those snow tires... I'm picking a set up this winter

 

I did just fine this past (crazy) winter with winter tires, but I enjoy winter driving and use engine braking to the fullest extent.
Not sure how this car would do with RWD/automatic.

 

Get dedicated snow tires it makes all of the difference. Get a second set of wheels that are thin like 7 wide and smaller tires for best results. All wheel drive helps you get going but doesn't help in staying on the road once moving or stopping.

Rwd in the snow is bliss

 

It's a myth that RWD cars are trash in the snow. You just gotta get snow tires and be a bit conservative.

 

Im in St. Louis and my XS sedan handles the snow pretty well. The right tires make a huge difference.

 

St. Louis here as well. I haven't taken the G to Chicago yet, but we had some snow here this past winter. With the right tires I was kindheartedly chuckling at the people with their front wheel drives sliding around trying to climb the low sloped streets with no success. I had no issues with a fresh set of Michelin Xi3's on any hill stopping or going.

 

The Chicago area, particularly Lake Co. (IL) is really good about snow removal, so you're typically not plowing through snow on a regular basis. The winter compound makes handling on cold and icy streets much more predictable with RWD.
I did get on the expressway a couple times this winter with compacted snow/ice from the night before and a nearly empty gas tank. That was interesting. Filling up made a big difference, and next winter I'll probably throw some weight in the back.