Hey guys,

New to these forums. I currently own a 07' 350z that i love, but i am looking at trading towards a 2011 or 2012 G37 sedan for more space (i love the looks of the G, always have) Anyways, I live in phoenix and occasionally go snowboarding up in flagstaff.

What i am curious about is, would it be advised against getting a regular Journey not an X with all seasons? I've done some research and i like the idea of AWD but would really only need snow mode for the 5-6 times i drive in snow a year. I also like the better gas of the auto Journey vs the MT or the AWD is it really noticeable?

Any info or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Justin

 

In my opinion, your best bet is just to buy dedicated tires if it doesn't snow that much.

 

X all the way. You can four-wheel power slide it out of a turn if you have the guts. I did it on wet pavement when there's no traffic around, call it breathtaking excitement.

 

Haha good point! I've done it a couple of times, talk about an adrenaline rush.

 

5-6 times a year? Just get the RWD with snow tires/cheap rims.

 

Out of curiosity did you drive your 350z around in the snow? If you're comfortable doing that then you shouldn't have too much with the RWD

I'm up in mn and we have alot of snow fall. Realistically I turn on the SNOW feature maybe 3-4 times per year. The AWD system and traction control do an awesome job

 

Also depends what else you want to do with it as the mods available for the RWD are a bit more plentiful. IMO I'd just get the RWD and get your buddies to give you a lift to the ski area

 

My vote is for the X....all the way; it will be much less of a hassle than changing to snow tires each fall and the all seasons are quieter and ride better also. A side benefit...the X does a better job of getting the power to the pavement in less than ideal traction situations. I am sure the rear wheel drive is a few 10ths faster and gets marginally better mileage....but my vote is with the X.

 

^ regardless of awd or rwd, a guy would need winter tires for trips to the ski hill. Many people get lulled into a sense of security with awd and forget that physics rules when it comes to turning and stopping. This is one of the primary reasons why so many sport utes and awd cars end up in the ditch, or worse, when the snow flies. Without proper winter tires any vehicle is unsuitable for driving up mountains in the snow. Except for a snowmobile or other track vehicle I suppose.

With that in mind the OP needs to look at his priorities. Awd + winter tires > rwd + winter tires, when it comes to true snowy winter driving. So if those 5 or 6 trips must be done in the G, then go awd. But hopefully there are alternatives, like an old Subaru or a friend with a wrx and snowies. The rwd G is a sweet machine so if he can live with rwd and winters tires for 99% of driving he'll be just fine. When the roads get nasty leave the G home. I'm sure someone could give you a lift...

 

^ He said "occasional snow", so snow tires are overkill with an x, all seasons are doing just fine. You are right, overconfidence in incompetent people does screw things up all the time no matter how superior the tools they have in hand.

 

^^^LOL^^^ Very well said.

 

I went from a 350z to a g37 journey(non awd). I only drove the z in the snow once when it had "all season" eagle gt tires on it and it did okay, if I went above ~3500rpm it would slide out. I drove my g with summer tires in the sushy snow once, and it did not do that great. However I would expect with the same tires for the g and z to perform about the same. In other respect you will certainly love the new space and more comfortable interior you get with the G.

 

You really can't go wrong with AWD you never know what the weather really is going to be like each year the ozone layer is getting bigger lol

 

Thanks for the advice guys, i haven't ever driven the Z in the snow as phoenix i can have summer performance tires year round without a concern. I used to drive my dads jeep wrangler up to the mountain but since he moved to texas i no longer have access to it.

For the most part i would prefer to have others drive in a SUV or something along those lines but for the random quick day trip (mountain is only 2.5 hrs away) it would be nice to have a vehicle that could manage if it came down to it.

Either way, AWD X or RWD Journey, I will probably just get an after market set of rims with summer tires on for 98% of my driving and keep the stockers with winter or all seasons as back ups for the couple days that i might see snow.

Thanks again,
I'm looking forward to joining the G37 family soon.

Justin

 

If you buy an AWD, or RWD Journey, then you're forever saddled with the overwhelming malaise of an automatic transmission.

So there's that, too.

(anyway... answer: RWD + snow tires)