remember for about 1500.00 you can buy a beat up 4WD vehicle and still have money to put tires on and register it. That is what I recommend and do, specially if your area uses sand or gravel

go get an old 4 runner, cherokee, or pathfinder

Better Life thru Chemistry

 

I'm actually not sure what to expect as far as factory tires on the 2004 6M. The dealer is assuming that they are the same as the 2003.5 (215/55/17V all season), so that's my best guess. I don't know if the changes that integrate the winter package into the premium package will make a difference with the tires.

As far as running 17 snows on my factory rims, I would hesitate to do that in the Rochester area -- the rims would end up damaged / looking scruffy due to pot holes, salt, etc. I have managed to keep the 17 inch summer rims on the Volvo in perfect shape by running steel wheels with Gislaved NordFrost winter tires every year -- Yeah, they don't look as nice as the 225/45/17s, but they stick to the road very nicely in nasty weather. I haven't decided whether to go with steel wheels or low-priced 16 inch alloys this time. There's also a tradeoff with dry performance, but I can slow down a little for the extra security in the snow.

We tend to get periods of several inches of snow per day during Jan-Feb (thanks to Lake Ontario), so there's not much opportunity for high performance driving, anyway. Fortunately, the crews really know how to clear roads up here, so I'm not usually driving in deep snow -- it ends up being more slush and hard packed snow (and some ice).

TurboFish
2004 G35 Sedan 6M -- Desert Platinum, Graphite Leather, Premium/Winter (on order for Nov '03)
1998 Volvo C70 Coupe HPT

 

My plan for this winter is to get a set of Blizzaks for the factory sport rims. As soon as I get my car (3 weeks?) I will also get a set of 18"s or 19's with a set of summer tires. I know from my last car that the 225/50/17 Blizzaks are fine. This way, it will save a bit on tire changing costs, and if we get blasted with a late snowfall, and I've already taken off my snows, I can change back in 15 minutes. No matter what you do, the G is not the ideal ski-trip car! When there's more than 3 inches of snow on the ground, my wife's too chicken to drive anyway, so I can just use her Grand Cherokee. The Jeep has comfortably handled 18" snowfalls, and easily plowed through 4 foot snow drifts.

04 G35 6MTS Aero Kit/Nav/Prem/Wint (Hopefully Sept 03)
Warning: Objects in Mirror Are Losing!

 

I'm not terribly concerned about damaging the stock rims during winter. I can be careful enough on my short winter commute and, if the going gets real rough, I'll gonna take the Yukon XL anyway. Right now I'm scrubbing up the stock a/s tires and, when the snow flies, I will likely mount Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 225/55R17 for about $160 a corner. Come summer, I'll pick up an 18" tire/wheel pkg, and swap out the snows for 17" autoX rubber. I just don't want to buy (3) sets of wheels/tires. BTW - did ya have to get DP??

 

Dr. Pepper? Yes. It's a must. You must always get some. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter