Will I miss AWD?

[consultant]

I've always had FWD and the last 3-1/2 years an AWD Sports Sedan (Volvo S60R tuned to about 340HP). My Volvo is out of warranty, only has 35K miles on it because I work from home, but it has had way more little issues than the Japanese makes I owned prior every had so I'm a bit scared owning it for much longer.

My kids or 8 and 9-yo so a coupe would work as they are still small enough to easily get in and out of the back with plenty or room for their little chicken legs. I know I might occasionally miss having a big trunk as my Volvo is big enough with the seats down I can actually slide my Mountain Bike in and not have to deal with putting the roof rack on and off. Plus if we take family road trips we take the Honda Pilot.

I've done a lot of research and test drives and I've really gravitated to the Infinity G37. It is an excellent value for what you get and drives *almost* as good as the overpriced BMW 335 and is just as fast. The interior on the Infinity is much nicer as are the sport seats and new, it's about $10K less for a comparably equipped BMW 335.

Here's the thing though, although the G37 sedan is a decent looking sedan, it pales in comparison to my Volvo and frankly is somewhat bland for my tastes/personality. The G37 coupe is absolutely gorgeous and puts the BMW 335 to shame in my opinion, especially with the 19" wheels on it. The convertible is amazing but out of my price range. I looked at EVERYTHING on paper and drove them, and for the money, the Infinity is the clear winner for my criteria.

The problem is, like other Japanese manufacturers for some stupid reason if you choose the AWD trim, they take away the sport options (ala Lexus, no AWD on the IS 350 only the wimpy 250) It is like the Japanese assume anyone who wants AWD doesn't have a focus on performance. Very strange. On the Infinity Coupe, you can get the sport package (19" wheels, sport-tuned suspension, HUGE brakes, awesome sport seats) only on the RWD models. On the Sedan, you CAN get the AWD with Sport Package but it does not include the big brakes and the wheels are only 18" and the tire size on this car is such that 19" wheels give a tire profile equivalent to 18" wheels on the BMW (or my Volvo) looks SOOO much better.

So I've got three options...

1) Get the XS sedan and upgrade the wheels and brakes myself (can get the large Infinity brakes on E-bay for about $2K and another $2K for wheels and tires, less probably about $1.5K selling the stock wheels/tires and brakes for probably a net of abuot $2.5K extra cost)

2) Get more 'pizazz' with the AWD coupe, upgrade the wheels and brakes, and live without the sport seats and sport tuned suspension. Interestingly, the Infinity G37 non-sport suspension is surprisingly taunt, and the sport suspension is borderline harsh so that may be a good trade off. Their sport seats are so nice though as the Volvo seats are a tough act to follow and these are the best I've sat in so far.

3) Get the Journey Coupe with sport package and live without AWD.

I live in the Seattle area. We've gotten a bit more snow days than normal last couple of winters but it is not that many days, maybe 15 days total per winter we might have snow on the ground. But I live up a short twisty hill. However, I work from home! And to be honest, last time I tried to go 'rescue' my wife, the Volvo demonstrated an AWD car doesn't stop any better then anything else and I slid the car in the ditch going down our hill.

So my question is really to those that have driven both AWD and RWD cars. Considering my situation, which car would you recommend. Will I really miss my AWD driving in the rain and snow? I did occasionally take my car up to the pass to go skiing maybe 4 or 5 times a winter, but if I get the 7-speed auto, the wife can drive it while I take the SUV, so that problem solved.

What I'm wondering is maybe the best plan would be to keep the 18" wheels (17" on the sedan) and put some winter tires on them. If it snows, then just swap the wheels. However I'm not sure if that will get me up our hill (it's medium steep) but I would guess with some good winter tires and sand on the road, it would be doable. Having never owned a RWD car, I have no idea. I need some feedback from people with some experience with AWD and RWD sport sedans, especially those that experimented with different winter tires on the RWD on sanded snowy roads.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Joey666Crack]

In regards to trunk size and bikes, as long as you don't have your kids in the back seat you'll be fine, I ride a fixed gear, and I just take the front tire off drop the back seats and slide it on in.

[kmckis1029]

id do option 1... but id wait to see if the bigger brakes really matter in day to day driving... cause the regular brakes are already great (try getting steel brake lines before you do a full brake upgrade)... Then just go ahead and get the 19inch wheels off the back... with the g37xs you will have a back seat that is usable and wont have to get the SUV all the time... then as far as driving in bad weather, you cant beat AWD with proper tires... i been driving RWD most of my driving career and i wouldnt go back since discovering AWD with my G35x...

[consultant]

Based on what you drive (kmckis1029) I'd say it is safe to say you have a bias towards the sedan.

A little more background. I track my car at the local race track for a couple hot laps sessions every year. Going from 130 MPH to 60 MPH right before entering a turn, you want/need the big brakes. They are the most important and powerful system on the car (first thing you learn in performance driving class, not the engine, not the handling.) Granted if I got the G37 sedan I probably wouldn't track it. My Volvo has upgraded brake lines, different springs, ECU tune and some other stuff that make it more suitable for the track. It is so fun though to pass the guys in the Porsche Carreras costing twice as much.

I'm having a similar discussion on the Motor Trend forum. The consensus there seems to be that since I work from home, don't have to drive the kids to school, I should be fine with RWD with snow tires. But that would mean a second set of wheels as I wouldn't want to drive around with noise snow tires all winter just for 10-15 days that it might snow. I'd want to be able to quickly swap the wheels with the snow tires on and off in my garage. I just like the styling SO SO much better on the coupe than the sedan. But the sedan IS the much more versatile and practical choice.

You know I saw some aerodynamic package option for the sedan. Maybe with the 19" wheels and that package the looks might get to the point it has enough pizazz I'd look past the coupe. I need to find some photos of comparisons with and without aero package and 19" wheels. I'm not some teeny bopper that is going to lower the car and put a big wing on it, but the style on the sedan is a little bland for my tastes and this is not some minor inexpensive purchase. Best to make sure you are happy as possible when spending that kind of money.

[consultant]

A buddy of mine I just spoke to said AWD is overkill for our area. Some good winter tires that aren't too noisy just wait until the first snow is on the way to put them on, take them off in March. But to be honest, in the wet, it is so nice to floor it and not go sideways (well it can be fun too I guess since I never owned RWD I should at least give it a try once, and the G37 coupe is a great car to try - great value and awesome looks with those 19" wheels. But honestly, I'm still on the fence. Probably need to go back to the dealer and compare the handling and seats on the X coupe to the S coupe. I drove the non-S AWD sedan and the convertible S (awesome but too pricey).

[kmckis1029]

oh you didnt mention you would be tracking it...

in that case id do option one 100%

i have tracked my G35x, but it was just 1/5 mile... i have yet to find a public road course or events in GA... i know brakes are a BIG factor in road courses...

I dont really have a bias to sedans... I like the coupe but it just wasnt practicle for me... then again i do like the sedan a lot!!!!!!!!

[consultant]

One thing I found surprising which pushed me more towards the coupe when I originally thought I'd be more biased to the sedan was when I found out the coupe has fold-down rear seats and the sedan doesn't. Go figure.

[gnuibe]

I've always had FWD and the last 3-1/2 years an AWD Sports Sedan (Volvo S60R tuned to about 340HP). My Volvo is out of warranty, only has 35K miles on it because I work from home, but it has had way more little issues than the Japanese makes I owned prior every had so I'm a bit scared owning it for much longer.

My kids or 8 and 9-yo so a coupe would work as they are still small enough to easily get in and out of the back with plenty or room for their little chicken legs. I know I might occasionally miss having a big trunk as my Volvo is big enough with the seats down I can actually slide my Mountain Bike in and not have to deal with putting the roof rack on and off. Plus if we take family road trips we take the Honda Pilot.

I've done a lot of research and test drives and I've really gravitated to the Infinity G37. It is an excellent value for what you get and drives *almost* as good as the overpriced BMW 335 and is just as fast. The interior on the Infinity is much nicer as are the sport seats and new, it's about $10K less for a comparably equipped BMW 335.

Here's the thing though, although the G37 sedan is a decent looking sedan, it pales in comparison to my Volvo and frankly is somewhat bland for my tastes/personality. The G37 coupe is absolutely gorgeous and puts the BMW 335 to shame in my opinion, especially with the 19" wheels on it. The convertible is amazing but out of my price range. I looked at EVERYTHING on paper and drove them, and for the money, the Infinity is the clear winner for my criteria.

The problem is, like other Japanese manufacturers for some stupid reason if you choose the AWD trim, they take away the sport options (ala Lexus, no AWD on the IS 350 only the wimpy 250) It is like the Japanese assume anyone who wants AWD doesn't have a focus on performance. Very strange. On the Infinity Coupe, you can get the sport package (19" wheels, sport-tuned suspension, HUGE brakes, awesome sport seats) only on the RWD models. On the Sedan, you CAN get the AWD with Sport Package but it does not include the big brakes and the wheels are only 18" and the tire size on this car is such that 19" wheels give a tire profile equivalent to 18" wheels on the BMW (or my Volvo) looks SOOO much better.

So I've got three options...

1) Get the XS sedan and upgrade the wheels and brakes myself (can get the large Infinity brakes on E-bay for about $2K and another $2K for wheels and tires, less probably about $1.5K selling the stock wheels/tires and brakes for probably a net of abuot $2.5K extra cost)

2) Get more 'pizazz' with the AWD coupe, upgrade the wheels and brakes, and live without the sport seats and sport tuned suspension. Interestingly, the Infinity G37 non-sport suspension is surprisingly taunt, and the sport suspension is borderline harsh so that may be a good trade off. Their sport seats are so nice though as the Volvo seats are a tough act to follow and these are the best I've sat in so far.

3) Get the Journey Coupe with sport package and live without AWD.

I live in the Seattle area. We've gotten a bit more snow days than normal last couple of winters but it is not that many days, maybe 15 days total per winter we might have snow on the ground. But I live up a short twisty hill. However, I work from home! And to be honest, last time I tried to go 'rescue' my wife, the Volvo demonstrated an AWD car doesn't stop any better then anything else and I slid the car in the ditch going down our hill.

So my question is really to those that have driven both AWD and RWD cars. Considering my situation, which car would you recommend. Will I really miss my AWD driving in the rain and snow? I did occasionally take my car up to the pass to go skiing maybe 4 or 5 times a winter, but if I get the 7-speed auto, the wife can drive it while I take the SUV, so that problem solved.

What I'm wondering is maybe the best plan would be to keep the 18" wheels (17" on the sedan) and put some winter tires on them. If it snows, then just swap the wheels. However I'm not sure if that will get me up our hill (it's medium steep) but I would guess with some good winter tires and sand on the road, it would be doable. Having never owned a RWD car, I have no idea. I need some feedback from people with some experience with AWD and RWD sport sedans, especially those that experimented with different winter tires on the RWD on sanded snowy roads.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

If you plan to join the Infiniti (not Infinity) club, you need to get the spelling correct. Thought I might do this before Poyz does

[voodoo22]

I also wrangled with my decision of an 09 G37S vs an XS.. coming from a Mini Cooper having the sport suspension option I was worried (a) the standard G suspension would be too soft, and (b) if I'd kill myself with RWD since I've been driving FWD for 23 years.

I also wanted the big brakes and the suspension in the S.

After reading lots of posts and test driving one, I opted for the XS for practicality in New England winters. If the G was FWD I would have probably gotten the S.

I've been driving this car for a week (XS) and my confidence level gets higher with each ride. It's quite tossable for a sedan. Now my only regret is not getting it in black...

[zozoka1212]

If you never had RWD car before. I suggest to wait till the first snowfall and take one out than take out the x. See if you can say no to the x after that . Some people drive the rwd in winter so obviously it is possible.

The X is a tank. It goes thru foot snow no problem.

Buy a sedan. It is less weight = faster. To me the sport seat are not comfy enough for a DD.

[cjs37xs]

It takes one of these posts to get someone like me to join up into a forum.

One thing that has been left out...the 'X' is RWD, until slip is detected at which time it transfers up to (but not more than) 50% of the power to the front wheels.

So, you get all the fun of a true RWD sports car, but the safety of AWD. For me here in Colorado , it was a no-brainer...but that is a choice that needs to be made for your region.

Good luck to you in your decision, hope this was helpful...

[zozoka1212]

Would be true if the AWD could be turned off. Since you can't the S and X feels totally different in cornering. You have to drive them differently at their limit.

[bschurr]

Very interesting (were you active on SwedeSpeed with the Seattle guys? If so what was your handle there?)

I had a 2004 S60R and an 2007 S80 V8 both AWD and now have an 09 G37S Convertible which is only offered as RWD.

If you are gonna continue to track your cars, i would highly recommend AWD (the G is very competent) and it is likely that your driving skills/style is now suited to these characteristics.

I have my SCCA National licence and racing an AWD vehicle is a very different experience than FWD or RWD.

Good luck with your decision-Barry

[Poyzinous]

If you plan to join the Infiniti (not Infinity) club, you need to get the spelling correct. Thought I might do this before Poyz does

Can't believe I missed this one...

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

It sound like to me that you need the Sedan... If you have had a sedan then you are going to want the sedan... I would get the S and then spend the money on some Coupe 19's or even some M45 19's.

You can then purchase a set of winter tires for your 18's and sell the old rubber so that you don't spend to much and you have an extra set of tires.

I have a couple pics of my G with coupe 19's so this will give you some idea of what it would look like...

Ok here is one from a google searchhttp://media.photobucket.com/i...8.jpg

here is my G



DJ

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Oh and I forgot...

With an intake and an exhaust the G37s (If you know how to drive it) Will spank your Volvo around the track anyday!

You say you have a 6mt.... Why don't you get another one on the sedan or even the Coupe if that is the route you choose?

Plus their is nothing more fun than getting a RWD car and going sideways around turns.

DJ