Topic: The new winter beater, 2008 Infiniti EX35

[coop3422]

Hey all,

As most of you know, I sold my Spec B a month or two ago in the quest for something with a bit more cargo room. I wanted another Subaru, but with prices beign a little higher, and my gf finally talking me into getting at least one automatic, I ended up purchasing a fully loaded Infiniti EX35. I cross shopped a number of vehicles, 2010 CTS wagon, FX35, Acura RDX,  Outback 3.6R, Forester XT, pretty much anything sporty with a hatch.

I ultimately chose the Infiniti because the interior was just hands down, the best of all I was looking at, it had great power, built on the G platform so great handling, and I got a great deal. It has the 360 degree cameras, nav, Bose, AWD, V6 w/ 297hp, and it only has 73k km on it. The lowest km vehicle I've ever owned, and I came in at the the bottom of what I was looking to spend, which was a huge bonus.

There's a few things I plan on doing to it, but nothing crazy. 19 or 20" wheels with winter rubber (my old 18" wheels are available in the FS thread), G37 coupe exhaust (bolts right up), and some K&N drop in filters. I'll get an intake if I can find a good deal, but the performance/economy gains are the same as the drop ins so it's hard to justify the cost. I wouldn't mind upgrading the Bose, but I'm not sure if there's any options for that. I also had a hitch installed for a bike rack, and then getting some cross bars for up top for our kayaks, then some tint.

Anyway, on with the picture orwhaying 









Thanks for looking!

[thedude]

Oh my, it looks like it's in incredible shape. Congrats on the purchase!

[jellynuts]

Nice!  Congrats! 

Why 19 or 20" wheels for a winter car though? 

[coop3422]

Oh my, it looks like it's in incredible shape. Congrats on the purchase!

Thanks, it's really clean. Wasn't expecting to find one with such low mileage, plan on keeping it until I'm forced to have more back seat room.

Nice!  Congrats! 

Why 19 or 20" wheels for a winter car though? 

It's my winter car, so I want nicer wheels for the time I drive it most. I hate sidewall, and the 55 profile with the 18" wheels is too much for my taste. After looking at tire prices, I'm more leaning to 19" instead of 20", as the tires are nearly half the price.

I just found a G37S exhaust on kijiji, so hoping to pick that up this week. Supposed to be a nice mod sound wise.

[jellynuts]

I'm not sure if I mentioned it, or merely implied it, but 19 or 20 inch wheels for winter sounds like a really bad idea. 

Why's that?

OK, so merely questioning your plan back in June was a bit too subtle. 

First is subjective.  Personally, I'm just not a fan of big rims so I know my argument doesn't hold a lot of weight there.  Total exaggeration, but when I think 20" rims, I think Cadillac Escalade owners.

[Not a Cadillac]


Practically speaking, a higher profile tire would be cheaper, more comfortable and soak up bumps.  If it were my winter beater, I'd be laughing while I run over potholes and drive over curbs to cut in front of the other guy at the Tim's drive-thru.  But with low-pro alloys, I'd need to avoid potholes, protruding manholes, etc and in the event that I do hit one, run the risk of damaging the wheel and thus driving up the cost even further.  I'll either need to replace it or repair it, but until then, drive a leaky tire or have three massive wheels + one spare (assuming I only damage one wheel).  The clearance between wheel and brake will be greater so it'll pack with snow which could throw off the balance of the wheel.  On the plus side, you could put glow sticks in that snow while popping some E-pills and light up that next rave with some 4wd burnouts. 

[Canuckrz]

Not to mention availability of tires in that sizing. Both in ability to find in stock, and lack of selection. You're likely only going to be able to buy "high performance" winter tires, which is basically slang for great on cold pavement but terrible on ice and snow.

[coop3422]

Jellynuts, I do agree that the picture you posted looks ridiculous, and I'm not interested in that extreme. That said, I've always preferred the bigger wheel look, and a 19" wheel would only make a 5mm sidewall difference. I was looking online, and tire prices for what I would need in 18" and 19" were only ~$10-20/tire.

My Spec B ran 40/R18, would a 235/45/19 really be that bad? Honest question.

[jellynuts]

...would a 235/45/19 really be that bad? Honest question.

Hahaha, I'm the wrong person to answer because you already know my bias. 

[RockThePylon]

It probably wouldn't be that noticeable.

The argument against nice wheels in the winter is still worth considering though. Snow hides stuff that can hurt. Gravel/salt is punishing. And you'll probably want to do some donuts in a gravel lot at least once.

Winter is most fun when you're not concerned about the value of your gear.

[jellynuts]

Winter is most fun when you're not concerned about the value of your gear.

I hate my car