winter driving
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: ma
winter driving
I realize that the GS350 AWD is not an SUV, but we need to know about it's snow capabilities before we trade the wife's ML350 for the Lexus.
Specifically, I was wondering how owners found their cars handled in 1-6 inches of snow. We live on a hill and a few times in the past our old front drive Lexus ES couldn't make it home.
Any, and all advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Specifically, I was wondering how owners found their cars handled in 1-6 inches of snow. We live on a hill and a few times in the past our old front drive Lexus ES couldn't make it home.
Any, and all advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: CT/MA
Hey... where about in MA are you?.... I havent had the chance to drive my GS350 awd in the snow yet, but I have driven the GS300AWD in all the snow. and it Handles nicely.. Not bad for a AWD car thats not an SUV.
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From: ma
good to hear about the AWD in the snow! And, btw, Starfire Pearl/Cashmere is the combo my wife wants. Looks nice!
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From: BC
I realize that the GS350 AWD is not an SUV, but we need to know about it's snow capabilities before we trade the wife's ML350 for the Lexus.
Specifically, I was wondering how owners found their cars handled in 1-6 inches of snow. We live on a hill and a few times in the past our old front drive Lexus ES couldn't make it home.
Any, and all advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Specifically, I was wondering how owners found their cars handled in 1-6 inches of snow. We live on a hill and a few times in the past our old front drive Lexus ES couldn't make it home.
Any, and all advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 402
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From: WA
Hey tomd...I live here in WA St. and have driven my AWD in snow(only a couple of inches.) I was very impressed with the handling and stopping capabilities. I've own 3 SUV's previously (lame S-10 Blazer, and (2) 4Runners, and will say I felt alot comfortable/confident in my AWD than any of the SUV's(Plus what Vlad said about center of gravity). I honestly don't think you'll have any regrets purchasing a new AWD. And unlike the FWD ES....I think you'll make it home:-) in your GS. Keep us posted after you pick it up.
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From: ma
It handles very well. I feel way more confident now in GS then SUV with AWD because of center of gravity. Espetially when you talking about uhill/downhill driving. The only drawback is the clearance which is not an issue for 1-6 inch of snow. Did I mention - snow tires are still a must?
I realize that the GS350 AWD is not an SUV, but we need to know about it's snow capabilities before we trade the wife's ML350 for the Lexus.
Specifically, I was wondering how owners found their cars handled in 1-6 inches of snow. We live on a hill and a few times in the past our old front drive Lexus ES couldn't make it home.
Any, and all advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Specifically, I was wondering how owners found their cars handled in 1-6 inches of snow. We live on a hill and a few times in the past our old front drive Lexus ES couldn't make it home.
Any, and all advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
AS you can see by my signature of the cars I currently own. I have a 2006 ML350 which is probably the best SUV we have ever owned. It performs a whole lot better than my Lexus GS350 in deep snow and brakes much faster in snow than the GS and turns in the snow without much sliding like the GS. Overall, the GS will not substitute completely for the ML350 and you might feel that the car is a bit differently in the snow but still very predictable and much superior driving dynamics in the snow that front wheel drive sedans. The GS can make it up my 30 degree driveway which is steep in about 6-8 inch of snow with no problem. Make sure your all season tires are of best quality. I have 18 inch optional wheels with Michelin tires. Snow tires are not needed at ALL for the AWD. Michelins have best all season tires for the car. Overall, the ML350 defies the law of high center of gravity and I drive more faster with confident in the Ml350 than my GS AWD. We have had 3-4 terrible winter storms in michigan with 14-20 inches of snow, and the ML drives over the snow and ice as if its only 3-4 inches of snow.
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From: BC
if tires dont have grip on slippery serface - it is a cow on ice.
Last edited by vladbph; Jun 15, 2008 at 12:02 AM.
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From: ma
This is true! I was just trying to avoid reducing the enjoyment of the GS350's dry winter road handling for the 4 months it would have snow tires. We get about 4-8 plowable snow storms per season.
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From: ma
AS you can see by my signature of the cars I currently own. I have a 2006 ML350 which is probably the best SUV we have ever owned. It performs a whole lot better than my Lexus GS350 in deep snow and brakes much faster in snow than the GS and turns in the snow without much sliding like the GS. Overall, the GS will not substitute completely for the ML350 and you might feel that the car is a bit differently in the snow but still very predictable and much superior driving dynamics in the snow that front wheel drive sedans. The GS can make it up my 30 degree driveway which is steep in about 6-8 inch of snow with no problem. Make sure your all season tires are of best quality. I have 18 inch optional wheels with Michelin tires. Snow tires are not needed at ALL for the AWD. Michelins have best all season tires for the car. Overall, the ML350 defies the law of high center of gravity and I drive more faster with confident in the Ml350 than my GS AWD. We have had 3-4 terrible winter storms in michigan with 14-20 inches of snow, and the ML drives over the snow and ice as if its only 3-4 inches of snow.
Last edited by tomd; Jun 15, 2008 at 03:01 AM.
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From: Ontario
During Ontario's wonderful snow this winter, my 2008 AWD with 17" Michelin Pilot Alpin winters performed extremely well (albit, not comparing to high clearance SUVs like the ML). I was impressed by the traction and handling in both 6" powder and 4-6" packed snow. No comparison to front-wheel drive ES350, and I felt it was marginally better than E350 4matic and 535xi.
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From: MA
TomD, I disagree with the poster that siad snow tire is a must. I got by last winter in MA with oem tires, we had it easy last winter though. My last car was a GX470, that truck was amazing in the snow and I never had snow tires, I didnt expect the GS to be anything close the GX in snow performance and I was right. The limitation on the GS is the tires and ground clearnace. It can handle about 6-8 inches of snow at most. Watch out for the oem tires, they dont stop or turn too well in the snow. I plan to change them out next year to a good all season tires like a Goodyear F1 all season or something that will handle the New England winter.
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From: BC
TomD, I disagree with the poster that siad snow tire is a must. I got by last winter in MA with oem tires, we had it easy last winter though. My last car was a GX470, that truck was amazing in the snow and I never had snow tires, I didnt expect the GS to be anything close the GX in snow performance and I was right. The limitation on the GS is the tires and ground clearnace. It can handle about 6-8 inches of snow at most. Watch out for the oem tires, they dont stop or turn too well in the snow. I plan to change them out next year to a good all season tires like a Goodyear F1 all season or something that will handle the New England winter.
Last edited by vladbph; Jun 16, 2008 at 08:28 PM.
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