Flapjackura

New TLX A-Spec owner here. "Settled" for FWD, and I live in the Chicago area so winter driving will be...interesting. Perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment. Apex Blue Pearl color and that epic ELS sound system are the main pros so far. And the overall look. And the red leather interior. And the ambient lighting. LOL. You guys will all be thinking, "Sigh, here comes another Acura fanboy!"

ELIN

Why did you pass on the AWD?

Flapjackura

Why did I pass on AWD? To be honest, wanted to shave a bit off the already pretty steep price. My Lexus was mild AWD (hybrid), before that I have owned FWD drive cars that managed fine in snowy conditions. I feel like for an AWD to really have any significant benefit, you kind of have to be driving too fast for conditions to get that benefit. I'm more of a looks person when it comes to cars, too. I like to drive - a lot - but would not call myself an enthusiast that enjoys pushing the limits of performance. On the test drive, the salesperson told me to downshift a couple of gears in sport mode and floor it. The rocket launch that ensued was fun - but not something I'd do every day! Sure enough, since taking delivery I have been content to tool around in normal mode. Use sport for getting on the highway and up to speed, then immediately back to normal mode. I'm boring that way. LOL.

ELIN

I'm hopeful you don't miss it! I need AWD for snowy winters and navigating up/down hills. You may not be so hilly over there.

Vicious Type S

Id say a good set of winters is more important. I live in canada, my area is not super hilly but theres enough and I do OK with a RWD coupe. Tho I am trying to make my daily drive easier hence I'm looking at only the Type S or M340i xdrive.

A good set of winters I'd recommend for anyone weather its FWD, AWD, or even like me, RWD is the Nokian Hakkaplitta R3's. Bust non-studded winters imho.

ELIN

A couple years ago, they didn't salt the roads very well or at all near me and the slushy precip quickly became ice. My 15 minute commute back home became 2 hours as I had to deal with people getting stuck and blocking lanes in the process. I had absolutely no issue with traction on my AWD MDX but I was impacted by folks spinning out. My poor wife also had AWD but the highways were a mess so she ended up coming home 12 hours after leaving work!

AWD/snow tires only helps your driving but it definitely doesn't help you get home quickly (unless everyone on the road had it).

Vicious Type S

12 hours?!? That poor woman, how long is the regular drive?

ELIN

30-45 minutes typical...maybe an hour in snow

Flapjackura

I grew up in the NW burbs of Chicago and still reside there. This area is so flat, I don't think I had any comprehension of an actual 3rd dimension until I was 8.

izzle22

I've lived in the Kansas City area almost 20 years now and never had AWD or snow tires. Have always gotten around just fine without either in the snow. The only time I had issues was with my 2006 Infiniti G35. It was RWD and terrible in any form of snow. All that being said this time I went for the SH-AWD. More for the handling. It will be an added bonus having it in bad weather.

Vicious Type S

Take a wild guess what I drive 🤭

izzle22

G35? What year? Automatic? I had the S with 6 speed manual.

Vicious Type S

06 G35 coupe 6MT, Terrible in the snow