what handles better in snow IS 350 or Infiniti G37?
 

I'm looking at getting either a 2011/2012 IS 350 AWD or an Infiniti G37 X. Living in Missouri where we get some pretty good snowfall, which car is better at handling snow conditions? Both are comparable in price and performance numbers. A big factor for me is winter driving.

G37x has more ground clearance. It will come down to tires as well.

Incorrect. G37X has 4.9 inches of ground clearance. IS350 AWD has 5.1 inches.

http://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/g-se...res-specs.html

http://www.toyotanewsroom.com/releas...specs.download

I suspect they'd perform pretty equally.

A RWD IS performs better with snow tires than an AWD IS with all seasons. So shouldn't matter if you get a IS or G37 as long as you have good rubber

Ok. Then let me ask which would you rather own and why?

You tell us, which do you prefer and why.

I wouldn't worry about the quality of either AWD system. For your purposes they'll be equally effective. The Infiniti's system is more "fun" year round because it operates in a very rear-biased manner, even more so than the Lexus.

I don't know. I'm truly torn. We (wife and I) have a 4 year old and the back of that Lexus seems pretty small. We've been in and driven Infinitis before with him in the back seat. Always loved the Lexus but worry about maintenance costs on a used one. Can't afford new. One I am looking at is an '11 350 AWD w/34k miles, CPO, and the dealer is asking $28,900. Silver w/gray interior, nav. Looks great! The Infinitis I can get a year newer with less miles and range from $26-$30k.

Same dealer also has an '09 IS F. This is my dream car (won't help much in the winters though) but I feel they are asking way too much compared to other dealers within a 300 mile range. It has 24k miles and they are asking $45k.

Kids are tough because their feet don't make it down into the footwell, so you have to move the front seats up for enough clearance for their feet until they're tall enough to be able to put them in the footwell. Just go check out both cars with your 4yr old and carseat in hand, and see which is the most workable. Six of one, half dozen of the other between the cars. Both will be about the same in snow with AWD. Like the others said, tires will make the biggest difference, which can always be swapped out. There's zillions of them around and resale isn't quite as good, so yes the deals will be better on the Infiniti than Lexus.

Well if its my choice, the IS because it's more buttoned down and more refined, G is cheaper inside and I'm not a fan of the VQ37 - too rough and coarse. But the new Q50 if you avoid the DAS steer by wire system has one of the best interiors in it's segment.

edit* just saw you have a 4-year old. IS might be a little cramped :/

If you were looking at the 2014 IS, I'd say the kid in back is no issue. My 2 year old and her car seat are fine back there, with room to spare.

Not having owned, nor installed a car seat in a 2IS, I am not sure how much room your kid would have. You'll just have to go try it out.

Car seats are a pain. ;)

To me I love the Lexus the most for services, and reliability. Infinity does have a better hand on the handling perspective.

Though, the 3rd IS will be even better than the Q50. They are both derived from the same vehicles we are discussing.

The Reason why I chose RX350 for my baby and wife.

I will buy a Sport car in the future. It could be the Supra, if they come soon enough. I heard that Toyota is pushing his Crews.

He wants at the least 1 more Sport vehicle on the market by 2016. Could be the Supra, or the Electricfied MR2

I currently have a '12 Camry 4cyl and the wife just got a new '14 MDX. Just looking for something a little more fun in a family car. I told myself I could wait a couple more years to get my mustang I want but I'm really not enjoying the boring drive with the Camry.

Have you thought about an Audi S4?