Help! On the fence on G35 purchase - Coupe or X

[l.i. bruce fan]

Hi! New to the forum, though I've scoped it out for the helpful info I could glean - this seems like a great forum with alot of folks willing to lend an ear and some advice.

Basically, I was drawn to the G35 by the 6MT coupe, drove it, loved it, etc. (I'm sure most of you Coupe 6MT owners know what I'm talking about). Problem is its reputation in the snow.

I live in NY and cannot avoid driving in the snow. That and since my wife didn't want me to keep my 8 year old slowly dying Pontiac led me to look at the G35x.

I liked the X, but frankly, I want the six speed and just like the coupe more.

So here's the question, I finally got the wife to agree to let me hold on to the Pontiac as a winter beater (I really didn't want to let it go anyway!!) so now it's all up to me (go with my heart and get the coupe (since I still can't afford a C6 Vette) or go with my head and get the x). BTW the wife still thinks the coupe is a "stupid idea to buy a car that you can't drive in the winter - she just doesn't get it), but will I feel like I'm just settling if I get the x?

Will I regret the coupe once it turns cold and rainy?

I'm leaving out the fact that I have 4 kids, since I can't fit everyone even in the sedan, and I drive my car alone about 90% of the time anyways.

Opinions, thoughts, hand-holding, anyone wanting to push me to one side of the fence or the other with their own experiences?

Thanks in advance for any thoughtful advice you might care to share...

BTW, price isn't really an issue since I've gotten the dealer to within about 20 bucks of either one (similarly equipped).

Thanks!!

l.i. bruce fan

[yzarcur]

I think you know the answer you just need a little push.....Get the coupe, if you get this close to what you want and don't get it you will kick youself everytime you see one. Think of it this way the time you have in storing the Pontiac you can fix it up so you can sell it and get all the mods you want for the COUPE. Your wife will never understand, my wife doen't understand, it isn't for them to understand that is why we have forums like this. We understand and give a well needed ear to your true desires with cars.

Now you just have to pick the colors....Good luck!

[l.i. bruce fan]

Your wife will never understand, my wife doen't understand, it isn't for them to understand that is why we have forums like this. We understand and give a well needed ear to your true desires with cars.

Now you just have to pick the colors....Good luck!

Thanks yzarcur! You're right, my wife will never understand, and I probably will kick myself if I go X everytime I see a coupe. It's just the damn winter driving thing!! Oh and the "just grow up" mentality that my wife keeps projecting.

Well she doesn't understand the Springsteen and the E Street Band thing either, so what the heck...

I'm going to drive them both one more time tomorrow and then do the deal.

Thanks for the support!!

[WESIDE]

let me help...

[AZhitman]

I was in the same boat - 3 kids... However, 90% of the time, I'm alone in the car...

I say go for the Coupe. It is simply an amazing car.

BTW, welcome aboard!!!

[Nick240sx]

coupe.....i was gonna get one till i found out id be paying in excess of 1000 a month, because im young. but by god they are sexy and you will never regret getting a coupe, i at least dont think so. you wouldnt wanna sacrifice power and beauty for seats and doors. (i know they have the same amount of power)

[louiegz]

I know where you're comming from. I live right across the river in Jersey and I have 2 rear drive cars. A 95 Q45 and an 03 BMW 330i. I use Blizzaks on the Q in the winter and I drive my wife to the ferry to go to work so she don't drive the Bimmer when it snows. I only start using snow tires 3 years ago. My biggest problem is hills. One morning it snowed, my wife didn't go to work that day, but I don't have that luxury. I was going up the hill sidways. I don't know how many hills you have but, at least around me, they are good about cleaning the roads. And face it, how much does it realy snow around here. Forget about the wife, they never understand. She probabbly doesn't even drive stick. Lucky from me, mine does. If you have a family car then get the fun car, but I'd wait until the 07 model which loos real hot. I feel the current model is starting to look a little dated.

[C-Kwik]

The cold weather and winter drivability issues come from the summer tires on the coupe. Not sure of the year-round climate there, but if wet and/or cold enough some all-seasons will prbably do the trick. I'd probably stick with a good set of snow tires for snowy conditions and use the summer or all-seasons depending on how the climate is the rest of the time.

[C-Kwik]

Just a quick word of advice to add as well. Many women are not so much against the toy cars. But consider if they are stuck with a kid hauler, it's not always fair to her. Women love toys too. If she can't have her own toy, then make sure she gets to drive the fun car too. And you may want to include her in the decision process with this mentality. She might be more receptive to it if she can get excited about it.

[l.i. bruce fan]

Thanks for all the great advice! I'm going to test drive them both again and I'll let you know what I do.

[joe603]

I'd have to agree with the group here, get the coupe. Pick up another set of rims for cold weather driving, and with the VSC system the car will be manageable in the snow.

As far as the wife thing, I feel you pain. I was in the market for a vette, but without a backseat it was a no-go...so the G was a compromise.

[WdnUlik2no]

coupe!!

[zippysedan]

I say sedan. The coupes tend to understeer slightly, and the AWD sedan oversteers, the front wheels kick in, and you get towed through the curve. GREAT in lousy weather.

[wkim711]

what kind of pontiac is it and what does your wife drive?

[gjohnson66]

I say coupe -- just my two cents. We all have to have our toys, and besides if you really want it, you'll find a way to make it work in the snow. At any rate, the change in tires sounds like a good starting point.

[l.i. bruce fan]

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice!!

I drove each several more times and decided to go the "more practical" route and went with the X (but added the spoiler for a sportier look). And it's a 24 month lease so there's always next time. So far I'm loving it!!!

Thanks again for all the feedback!!

[wkim711]

good choice on the sedan thats what i got and i was in a similar sitution as you were but i went for the sportier 6mt

anyways cant really go wrong with any g35 so congrats and happy motoring

[SVTCOBRA]

Congrats on your Sedan! We really enjoy ours! If you decide to push it a bit, you'll forget it has two extra doors.

[zippysedan]

Sedan. Honestly, it handles very, very well. In addition, the coupe has NOTHIN' on the sedan in terms of balls. You just need to tweak it a little. I would say get the car you want and then go out and spend $2,000 on it out of the gate. Have fun burning beemers and acuras, those guys think they own the road. They have not even made a down payment on it.

jb

[telcoman]

Get the Sedan 6MT. Leave the wife & kids at home.Stay home & spend quality time with them when it snows.