Looking at the A/C 3.5 & have a ? about WINTER

[Madstaffy]

Hi All -
I am looking at the 2011 A/C 3.5 CVT...

I would like some serious, grown-up feed back on how this car performs in the snow (stock tire & winter tire performance). I do plan on putting Blizzak tires on it regardless. I have read the other posts (and am sorry for posting yet another) pertaining to winter driving and how people have totalled their cars but then again it sounds like they a) didnt prepare for winter and b) just drive like a$$holes so not surprising they wrecked... I am capable of driving in the snow but would just like some honest feedback before I commit. Some of the other posts did have seriouse feed back and from what I can tell, if you prepare and drive like a normal grown up all's good.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago and drive 30+ miles each way to work and back every day. This car would be my daily driver. I have an AWD now that I put Blizzaks on every year and of course it drives great in the snow. I know that going from AWD to FWD will be a change but am hoping this car will be ok for me.

Any feedback is truly appreciated - thank you!!!!!

[AviBen]

I also live in the Chicago suburbs. I have a 2010 3.5 CVT and we just finished our first winter together, so you know how much snow we had. The car is no worse than any other I've had in snow, and, with front-wheel drive, I can say that it handled better in snow than my last previous car, a Mercedes E320 (which I had for 9 years, was rear-wheel drive and was absolutely terrible on snow and ice). If you drive like a grown-up (which I do only when I absolutely have to!), make sure you have good treads on your tires, and drive cautiously and defensively in bad weather, the car (at least in my experience) is fine.

[Madstaffy]

Thank you so much for your honest opinion. (I usually dont condone grown up driving either, except in severe conditions LOL) Yes, this winter was horrid! I figure that was the worst of the worst and if you & your A/C made it I have much more confidence in the vehicle. It sure is pretty... glad to hear you are happy with it.

[wade001]

stock tires are horrible in the winter, If you get good snow tires you should be good. had a snow storm not long ago and drove in about 1 Ft. of snow on the roads, cars were stuck all over the place. the car handled great and got me where i needed. as long as you know what your doing you should be fine. it's a great car, i love it. dare i suggest you get a 6spd.? their a hell of a lot of fun and you have great control over the car with it. also depends on what you might do to it.

[Madstaffy]

stock tires are horrible in the winter, If you get good snow tires you should be good. had a snow storm not long ago and drove in about 1 Ft. of snow on the roads, cars were stuck all over the place. the car handled great and got me where i needed. as long as you know what your doing you should be fine. it's a great car, i love it. dare i suggest you get a 6spd.? their a hell of a lot of fun and you have great control over the car with it. also depends on what you might do to it.

Thank you so much for your feedback! I currently have a 6spd (and am not totally ruling out getting another one)... I was kinda wanting to get away from that for a little while. I drive the expressway to work and back and where I love stick shift I was looking to "relax" for a bit on my drives. I was hoping the CVT "manual mode" would help a little too (any advice on the "manual mode" would be great too).

[perfectcircle]

My 10' 3.5 CVT just finished her first western NY winter. The stock Michelins held there own through the snow. Although, after seeing 5 to 10 abandon cars in ditches every morning commute, I will probably pick up a set of blizzaks for next year. The thinner tires on my old beater probably sliced through higher snow slightly better, but the overall traction on ice was so much better. I actually just found myself more worried about keeping the salt off of her.

[Madstaffy]

My 10' 3.5 CVT just finished her first western NY winter. The stock Michelins held there own through the snow. Although, after seeing 5 to 10 abandon cars in ditches every morning commute, I will probably pick up a set of blizzaks for next year. The thinner tires on my old beater probably sliced through higher snow slightly better, but the overall traction on ice was so much better. I actually just found myself more worried about keeping the salt off of her.

Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm glad to hear she did well! Make my decision all that more easy. Yes, the salt can be so horrible!!

[AviBen]

In answer to your request, re "manual mode" (Ds) on the CVT: That's the mode I drive in almost all the time, because it's quite responsive and downshifts quickly when you punch the accelerator. Coupled with my intake, Y-pipe and Nismo exhaust, "vroom vroom" is the name of the game.

[Madstaffy]

In answer to your request, re "manual mode" (Ds) on the CVT: That's the mode I drive in almost all the time, because it's quite responsive and downshifts quickly when you punch the accelerator. Coupled with my intake, Y-pipe and Nismo exhaust, "vroom vroom" is the name of the game.

That's awesome! On my car now I just have the exhaust done... It's a 5 speed (not 6 like I earlier post oops LOL) looks like there's tons of things to b done to the A/C!! Good to know the CVT performs well!

[Red 3.5SR Coupe]

I live in Michigan... im new to michigan and its actually my first time driving in the snow... i did not at all have trouble driving in the snow... i actually was amazed that my 2010 altima coupe did not have any problems taking me anywhere .....and i have the stock tires and rims on it... Perfect Ride...

[Madstaffy]

I live in Michigan... im new to michigan and its actually my first time driving in the snow... i did not at all have trouble driving in the snow... i actually was amazed that my 2010 altima coupe did not have any problems taking me anywhere .....and i have the stock tires and rims on it... Perfect Ride...

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad to hear u didn't have a problem your first experience in the snow! It's good to know the car got u out and about!

[Jman0711]

I live in MA and we got tons of snow this winter, (Snowed again today) and my 3.5 did awesome. I also don't drive crazy in the snow but it def held its own. Sometimes the traction kicks in when i didnt want it to but thats an easy fix. I dont think youll have a problem especially if you buy winters.

[DAAN.]

15 miles to work / the cvt 3 is good for winter unless very icy

The stock tire is ... decent, but it performs way better than a pure RWD

[emprbasist]

I have a 3.5 CVT and I think the car handles pretty well in the snow EXCEPT for getting going from a stop. I just have stock tires on, so it would probably be better with Blizzaks, but I'm thinking part of the reason has to do with how quickly the CVT transfers torque to the wheels. They just slip immediately if its icy at all. It is pretty frustrating sitting at the front of a line of cars at a stop light, only to sit there spinning the tires just trying to start rolling forward, and I am BARELY touching the gas pedal. Other than that, I love my AC. Next year I will probably invest in some snow tires. But I've made it through 3 Iowa winters with the stock tires.