G35 coupe and winter

[vince_3d]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a G35 coupe 05 and up, but before buying, I have 2 questions I havent found answer yet.

1st: how is a G35 coupe during winter? How does it handle? Is it realible? Is the heater good enough? Please take note I'm in Quebec city, where we get real long and hard winter with lots of snow!

2nd: Is the coupe available in X version (awd) I can't find any so I assume not, but I might be wrong.

Thank you

Vince

[SVTCOBRA]

Welcome to Nico!!!
No, the G35 Coupe was not available as an X, but the G37X Coupe(09/10) is.

We have several northern members that should chime in shortly with their experiences in snow with RWD. I had summer only tires on my coupe and it did terrible in the snow. Recently replaced them with Conti DWS and hope they do better this winter.....if we get snow here in CLT NC.

[leeG35]

As I recall, the people who live in the snow belt have a set of dedicated 17 inch wheels with snow tires.

I use all weather tires on my coupe in the DC area. This is just so I can drive in below-freezing temperatures. Usually, we don't get much snow, and when it does I just don't drive it. The car has a good heater, heated seats and I haven't had any cold weather starting problems.

[zozoka1212]

Welcome,

Nice love the city you live in. I go there frequently. I think it is the #1 in Canada. As mentioned by Rich only G37 comes with X (AWD).

You can buy dedicated snowtires however you guys have more hills. If I were you I would go for the X. Just something you never regret once you have. I live in Ontario and I would not go without X for sure. However some do it. Like Sean. He had the 35 coupe and has now the 37 coupe.

I guess it comes down if you have the option to stay home or alternate transportations on those days where we have those awesome winter storms. I need mine every day of the year so I went with the X. Couldn't be happier. I know when we get hit by some of those storms I am actually looking forward to go out and have some fun in the car.

Zozo

[smockers83]

If you know how to drive in the snow and how a car reacts to slippery conditions, you would be fine under most conditions. But when you get 6 or more inches in one night, the next morning may be difficult.

Having grown up around lots of snow and learning how to drive early in snow, I've always maintained, to at least a certain degree, that it doesn't matter so much about the car, it's the driver. A rear wheel drive car in the snow is like the other rear wheel drive car in the snow. It really comes down to clearance issues, your ability to apply the right amount of throttle (and thus torque), and understanding of the car it's behaviors in the snow. But there comes a point where it just can't handle it when there's a lot of snow. I've gotten stuck once trying to make a left turn up a slight incline with a ton of crud in the intersection. I tried making the turn for a few light cycles then gave up, made a right turn and took a detour. But last winter, I had my SUV to drive after the nights of heavy snow. But I've also driven my coupe through a good snow storm where I was having clearance issues with snow and made it just fine with 2/32" left of tread (you should be able to find that thread, I wrote one on winter driving, both here and in the General Chat).

[99328ic]

Snow tires are a must if you live in a area where there is lots of snow and it sounds like you do. A rear wheel drive car will be fine in the snow if you know how to drive it in the snow. My wife was told that she "needed" AWD so that what she got. I have driven nothing but Rear wheel drive cars in the winters in the NE with our any issues for the last 10 years. (first car was RWD all the way up to my current BMW)

[zozoka1212]

Winter tires are not an option in Quebec. It is mandatory.

[vince_3d]

I appreciate all you comments and help everyone.

Infiniti are hard to find in the used market, so I doubt a G37x could be found anyway. Evenmore, I doubt I can afford a G37x for now, this is why I'm looking for a G35.

As you said Smockers83, there a lot to do with the driver when it comes to the car's abilities. Good quality tire also is to be considered, but there is still the car itself.

Well, I'm still undecided. Big problem still to come in my decision! And winter is a big factor since I'm hesitating between a Mitsubishi EVO and the G35.

[SVTCOBRA]

As you said Smockers83, there a lot to do with the driver when it comes to the car's abilities. Good quality tire also is to be considered, but there is still the car itself.

Knowing how to drive on snow & ice is very critical esp. in a RWD....I grew up driving a 69 Mach 1 with crappy tires in some nice snows back in the day....BUT, driving a 4x4 or AWD makes for a much less stressful drive. Guess it all depends on how often you have to drive in it and how far and how hilly. If I were going to buy a car and it was my DD in a snowy area it would definitely be AWD.