G37 X VS. G37 6spd Sport.

[DannyR714]

Hey whats up guys. So im looking to buy a g37 coupe. I really want the 6spd, but i live in Mass, and am worried about the winter. I have heard mixed responses concerning putting snow tires on it, and the car being fine in the snow. What do you suggest i do. Give up the manual and go with the X or go with the 6spd Sport and put snow tires on it. Thanks alot for the feedback.

[IBCoupe]

Snow tires + be careful = better summers. What kind of driving do you normally do? Especially in the winter?

[joe603]

You'll be fine with snow tires on a 6MT. We have Canadian members and when the white stuff starts, they put the blizacks on....

[kmckis1029]

try the manual mode on the 7sp auto and see if that is a happy medium, it was for me. I'd rather have the greater grip and launch of the g37x. Then i have the option of chilling in automatic when i dont feel like shifting.

[joe603]

Honestly the manual transmission on the G's suck anyway. The 7-speed AUTO is pretty good.

[Kendahl]

I now own a 2008 G37 coupe with the six-speed manual transmission. The transmission is ok, but it took me a long time to get used to the clutch. I have stalled my G37 more times than all the cars I owned previously. The problem seems to be a combination of very small window for clutch engagement and not much torque at low rpm. In most cars, I let in the clutch and modulate the throttle. In the G37, I have to set the throttle and modulate the clutch.

If you prefer, or can at least tolerate, an autmatic transmission, I would actually advise you to buy a G37X. One of the faults of my coupe is that the tail comes out very easily as I accelerate out of a corner. As a result, I never turn off the VDC (stability control). My last loaner from the dealership was a G37X coupe. I found that I could put down power much better with it than with my rear drive car. It also hooked up much better when accelerating hard on any but the cleanest paved roads. All wheel drive is better all year long, not just in the winter. Its disadvantages, compared to rear wheel drive, are higher purchase price, more to wear out and 10% poorer gas mileage.

For safety's sake, I still would invest in a second set of wheels with good winter tires like Blizzaks. (This doesn't apply to me since I don't drive my G37 in ice or snow.) Cost will be about $2,300 from Tire Rack with their cheapest wheels. A local tire dealer might be able to match their price and provide better service if you have a problem.

[DannyR714]

i don't drive a crazy amount, but def will more if i get this car. I know how to drive in the snow very well. i have just heard these cars suck in the snow even with snows. I just wish they came out with a 6spd awd. I test drove an 11 X and loved it. I really wanted a manual tho. i work for subaru and am comparing it to a wrx or sti, which i can get an awesome deal on, but like the g37 better, and it looks way sexier. its ganna be a tough call

[Kendahl]

It doesn't matter how well you can drive in snow if you have zero traction to work with. The best possible snow tires are critical if you expect to go anywhere in a 6MT.

One of our other cars is a 1998 Subaru Legacy GT wagon that is still going strong at 216k miles. Despite the all wheel drive, traction is marginal in deep snow with half worn all season tires. We live at the lowest part of our neighborhood. Last winter, with 4 inches on the ground, the only way I could get out was to make repeated runs until I had blazed a trail for myself. For this winter, I plan to get snows on steel wheels.

I agree with you about and all wheel drive 6MT. That would be worth trading in my current G37.

[DannyR714]

ya i was just responding to the original reply i got. they asked me what kind of driving i do. i'm probably just going to end up with the x depends on what kind of deal i can get

[clague]

I have a 2010 G37x and really like it, although the AWD does not compare to other AWD cars that I have owned. I have the factory-installed all-season tires, and that may contribute some to it, but I think the 100% rear wheel bias at speeds over ~12 MPH plays a bigger part. Even with AWD, the 330 HP has a real tendency to break the car loose even when it's just wet out and you're taking a sharper corner. But that's where the AWD kicks in and keeps you from spinning out, and instead you regain control and slide around the corner like you're a Tokyo Drifter!

I also have a Lexus RX330 which is more in the neighborhood of a 50/50 F/R split and it gets way better traction in the wet and snow... But it also has only 230 HP.

The 100% rear-wheel bias under normal conditions is definitely something to consider. It really contributes to a much sportier feel, but I have a lot less confidence driving the G in snow and ice than I do the RX... so I just don't if I can help it. But it may be that snow tires are the cure to the rear having a tendency to get loose.

[Fezzik]

I have a 2010 G37 Vert and I drove it through the touch winter of Chicago. NO problems SO long as you have winter tires. I was passing people and traction was good. THE VDC did its job. One thing to maybe think about is a clear bra or a nose bra for the winter. Salt will destroy the paint.

[KoukiS14]

To add my $0.02...
I went with a G35x. I don't really like autos all that well, but the car is adequate on power and the sort of car I don't mind having in auto. In my opinion, a 6MT and an AWD x are just... not the same car though. You'd buy them for sort of different reasons.

So with that said, if you've determined what your needs are, you can certainly get through a winter with good snow tires. I had a 97 240sx with an open diff and no ABS that would get stuck in 1/4" of snow. I came across a set of snow tires (Arctic Alpins) mounted on some '95 Maxima wheels... I s*** you not, the car would not only beat 4wd SUVs off the line (that had all-seasons), but the driving dynamics were such that it was so amazingly fun in the snow. I never got it stuck. Actually, I just came from an '05 Saab 92x with all seasons (Impreza), and while it didn't need snow tires, it certainly didn't perform any better (but not worse) than my 240sx in snow.