Is350 And Snow

Scott M · August 16, 2006

I know that we've all had this discussion before, but I'm not 100% sure on this subject yet.

As I prepare for my upcoming purchase of an IS, I'm now leaning toward the IS350.

I've decided that the IS250 is just too... I don't no.... not a 350. :(

I've decided that if I get the IS, I'm gonna go with the 350.

My issue now is snow. I know that a RWD with a good set of snows is just as good as an idiot behind the wheel of a FWD car... but between my Mt Everest driveway and my 45 mile commute, I have slight doubts.

Anyone here planning on driving the IS through snow storms?

Did anyone have their 350 in a bad snowstorm last year? How did it do?

Unfortunately... If the IS350 stinks in the snow, I may be forced to consider the new 07 Infiniti G35x AWD.

The G35 just doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy like the IS does.

The '07 is supposed to be nicer... but we'll see.

Cherokee_Outlaw · August 16, 2006

I know that we've all had this discussion before, but I'm not 100% sure on this subject yet.

As I prepare for my upcoming purchase of an IS, I'm now leaning toward the IS350.

I've decided that the IS250 is just too... I don't no.... not a 350. :(

I've decided that if I get the IS, I'm gonna go with the 350.

My issue now is snow. I know that a RWD with a good set of snows is just as good as an idiot behind the wheel of a FWD car... but between my Mt Everest driveway and my 45 mile commute, I have slight doubts.

Anyone here planning on driving the IS through snow storms?

Did anyone have their 350 in a bad snowstorm last year? How did it do?

Unfortunately... If the IS350 stinks in the snow, I may be forced to consider the new 07 Infiniti G35x AWD.

The G35 just doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy like the IS does.

The '07 is supposed to be nicer... but we'll see.

;) you know my answer..... BUT... I work with a guy that has a 99 GS.. and he drives in from Prov. everyday to worcester.... I asked him about the snow... (he is a dispatcher and never ever calls in and always at work before 6).. he told me he has never had a problem... and only needed the snow button twice... its not the IS or close to the power.. but it is a RWD lexus...

Maybe toss on a set of Bliztics or however you spell them...

Come on Scott!!! 350..... 350..... 350!!! Once your in the 350... your going to be hooked!!! :snoooorrrtttt:

Rx330driver · August 17, 2006

lol...my experience with my IS...though its a 300...is not a good one. Grant it we dont get snow here, i even get the slip indicator when it rains :wacko: . It all has to do with those high performance tires. One time, it hailed really bad in SF for about 20 minutes. Ice cubes on the floor. I swear i was going at like 5 miles and i was still skidding...bleh, people were looking at me like i was driving a !Removed! mobile :blink: anywhoo, yeah get some snow tires on there and you should be fine.

PS the snow button does nothing. all it does is not giving you a fast start to prevent slip...and it change the gears quicker...nothing that would prevent you from skidding...thats the VSC's job

Scott M · August 17, 2006

;) you know my answer..... BUT... I work with a guy that has a 99 GS.. and he drives in from Prov. everyday to worcester.... I asked him about the snow... (he is a dispatcher and never ever calls in and always at work before 6).. he told me he has never had a problem... and only needed the snow button twice... its not the IS or close to the power.. but it is a RWD lexus...

Maybe toss on a set of Bliztics or however you spell them...

Come on Scott!!! 350..... 350..... 350!!! Once your in the 350... your going to be hooked!!! :snoooorrrtttt:

LOL

I've heard about the IS300, and this is what spawned my IS350 concerns.

I've also heard the stories from RWD owners who say they never have trouble.

It's hard to separate fact from fiction.

My friend has a BMW 330i and his job is 100% on the road.

He lives in Maine and says that he has never had trouble, and he runs without snows.

How can this possibly be true?

Anywho... I may have to visit my local Lexus dealer again (Not that I'm looking forward to that) and I'll give the IS350 a try.

I know this for sure....

No matter what I buy, be it the IS or the G35x... I'll be buying a set of winter snows and wheels for it.

The cost for wheels, tires and a clear bra will all be worked into my expected "out the door" cost.

In the meantime, there has to be somebody here who drives the 350 year round, snow included.... right?

Will I be the only one?

Am I nuts?

LOL

highgate · August 17, 2006

;) you know my answer..... BUT... I work with a guy that has a 99 GS.. and he drives in from Prov. everyday to worcester.... I asked him about the snow... (he is a dispatcher and never ever calls in and always at work before 6).. he told me he has never had a problem... and only needed the snow button twice... its not the IS or close to the power.. but it is a RWD lexus...

Maybe toss on a set of Bliztics or however you spell them...

Come on Scott!!! 350..... 350..... 350!!! Once your in the 350... your going to be hooked!!! :snoooorrrtttt:

LOL

I've heard about the IS300, and this is what spawned my IS350 concerns.

I've also heard the stories from RWD owners who say they never have trouble.

It's hard to separate fact from fiction.

My friend has a BMW 328i and his job is 100% on the road.

He lives in Maine and says that he has never had trouble, and he runs without snows.

How can this possibly be true?

Anywho... I may have to visit my local Lexus dealer again (Not that I'm looking forward to that) and I'll give the IS350 a try.

I know this for sure....

No matter what I buy, be it the IS or the G35x... I'll be buying a set of winter snows and wheels for it.

The cost for wheels, tires and a clear bra will all be worked into my expected "out the door" cost.

In the meantime, there has to be somebody here who drives the 350 year round, snow included.... right?

Will I be the only one?

Am I nuts?

LOL

Your question is valid. I live in NJ bought an IS 350 in November a week later it snowed! I had ordered the tires and wheels from tire rack but my timing was off. I didn't even try it, for the two days the car stayed in the garage. However with the wheels and winter tires on it makes it drivable. The rear end will feel a lilltle loose, so stay clear of the power setting. A bag of solar salt in the trunk will also help. It is safe and drivable, but be conservavive. My last car was an Audi Allroad so it s no where near up to that standard. But winter tires are a must. Southern NJ gets snow 2 weeks in a year it's no big deal unlike New England. However the car is truely awesome and its worth it for the fun and pleasure I get 98% over the course of a year. Good luck with whatever you choose.

bartkat · August 17, 2006

Dedicated snow tires and drive very carefully and you can do fine in the snow. I havent driven an IS in snow, but from 1955 through 1986 all we ever had were rear wheel drive cars and it was just routine to put on snow tires every fall. More recently I got caught in a snow storm up near Cleveland in my 94 Firebird with all weather tires. Old driving habits kicked in and I did just fine. The only thing that held things up were three wrecks along the way, all front wheel drive vehicles, by the way. Its all a matter of good tires, careful driving, and knowing how to correct a little skid when it happens. Following distance, speed, brake moderation, and trying to maintain momentum before you get to a hill or whatever are key.

I might add that the only two cars I ever spun out in snow were a Fiesta and a Escort, both FWD cars. If you start into a turn with FWD and the front wheels spin, you end up with no steering and the car tends to plow in whatever direction it was heading at the time. Personally, I'd rather be in RWD as you can at least take action to correct a skid with it.

Scott M · August 17, 2006

Dedicated snow tires and drive very carefully and you can do fine in the snow. I havent driven an IS in snow, but from 1955 through 1986 all we ever had were rear wheel drive cars and it was just routine to put on snow tires every fall. More recently I got caught in a snow storm up near Cleveland in my 94 Firebird with all weather tires. Old driving habits kicked in and I did just fine. The only thing that held things up were three wrecks along the way, all front wheel drive vehicles, by the way. Its all a matter of good tires, careful driving, and knowing how to correct a little skid when it happens. Following distance, speed, brake moderation, and trying to maintain momentum before you get to a hill or whatever are key.

I might add that the only two cars I ever spun out in snow were a Fiesta and a Escort, both FWD cars. If you start into a turn with FWD and the front wheels spin, you end up with no steering and the car tends to plow in whatever direction it was heading at the time. Personally, I'd rather be in RWD as you can at least take action to correct a skid with it.

Well, with those great points being made....

Time to update my profile's car info.

I suppose I'll use my driveway as the litmus test.

If the car can get out, I guess the rest of the drive will be OK as well.

I have a few months before I can make it happen.

I spent so much on the wife's new MDX that I need to secure some more coin for my toy.

I hate car payments... pay in cash (Yeah, I know... bad investment, but who cares) :whistles:

Now, I'm still stuck on color but I'm leaning toward Breakwater. B)

bartkat · August 18, 2006

Gee, it took me 2 years to save up for mine. :D

Breakwater was on my short list of colors too. I just couldn't find one at the time.

SW03ES · August 18, 2006

I spent so much on the wife's new MDX that I need to secure some more coin for my toy.

I hate car payments... pay in cash (Yeah, I know... bad investment, but who cares):whistles:

If you look at what that money could be earning for you instead of draining slowly (or not so slowly) away you'd care lol

Although with interest rates going up it gets harder to find an investment that will yield you more than the interest you'd pay would cost you...

Scott M · August 18, 2006

If you look at what that money could be earning for you instead of draining slowly (or not so slowly) away you'd care lol

Although with interest rates going up it gets harder to find an investment that will yield you more than the interest you'd pay would cost you...

It's not so much the interest rates and all that mumbo jumbo....

I just hate paying out every month.

And when I do, the rediculous $500-$600 car payment every month gets me asking myself, what the heck am I doin???

At least with the MDX, I paid all but $5,000, so the $135 monthly payment doesn't hurt so bad.

I've considered just paying that off too.... I hate car payments

I'm not good with money and I've never learned how to turn a little into a lot.

I make some and spend it, that's what it's for, right? :cheers:

SW03ES · August 19, 2006

I'm not good with money and I've never learned how to turn a little into a lot.

I make some and spend it, that's what it's for, right?

Get a good accountant and a financial planner instead of buying the IS350. I'm not kidding. Since you can buy $30k cars in cash you obviously have considerable assets, its a crime to miss out on the opportunity to be financially independent forever.