brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Hello all,

I am thinking about a bit more winter capabilities (I live in Iowa and will be moving back to New England soon) in my daily driver. My 2011 ES350 with winter tires is OK but not as good one would think.

I am thinking that a GS350 with AWD would be better (with winter tires, of course).

Any thoughts on what I might be giving up and getting if I do this switch?

Thanks much!

JLAWS

No brainer that AWD is better than FWD in snow, but keep in mind you still can get stuck in deep snow due to low ground clearance. People tend to have a false sense of security driving with AWD at higher than recommended speeds not realizing stopping power is greatly diminished in snow But one shouldn't really be on the roads if you struggle to drive in a FWD vehicle in a serious snow storm. Winter 2015 was the worst in Boston history and my trusty old fwd 94 Camry with just all season tires got me to my parents house during the snow storm to dig them out all the time. Go for the GS350 awd if it is worth it to you. I don't think you need to need to swap to winter tires. All season will be just fine

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Good advice, thanks on that.

I did get to drive an GS350 AWD yesterday in about 5" of snow. The car did not have winter tires and it did just fine, very stable. I was impressed.

I am checking out the cars online as we speak.

Thanks

RXPhil

I cant stand when people say if you have AWD/4x4 you dont need snows. The other day I just witnessed a 4x4 pickup truck lose control and take out a traffic light, no winters. I also had an idiot in an AWD Murano rear end me while I was stopped at a red light a few years back, he didnt have winters.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

I was thinking that BOTH would be the best. Yes, we all have 4 wheel brakes and so stopping wise, AWD doesn't do much.