kre111

Hello, I am considering trading in my 2001 IS300 and purchasing another used SC430 in the future. I live in the northeast part of the country and used my IS300 with all weather tires mounted on 17 inch alloys the entire year (with the performance as expected). Could anyone offer any insight as to how the two would compare in snow if other factors were the same(mainly same type of all weather tires) were used? I know the SC430 is actually a heavier vehicle, but didn't know the difference in weight distribution. Also juts a few random questions- I have changed the brakes on my IS 300 myself. Any reason it would be any more difficult with the SC430 (does the TPMS make it any more difficult?). Anyone use a baby-seat in back of the SC430 (just thinking a few years down the line)? Sorry for the long thread. Thanks for any advice!

Yes

I've never driven an IS 300. But I would not recommend the SC430 as a daily driver in snow. With snow tires, you'd probably be ok in plowed/salted snow. In fresh snow, you'd have to limp and you may get stuck.

Z3NK1

iTrader: (2)

I'll be daily driving my sc430 this winter, just going to throw snow tires on it. My old Soarer (SC400) was a blast in the snow, and it didn't have snow mode or traction control like the 430 does.

Oh and the brakes are real easy to do, just did mine 2 weeks ago. Same as any other car pretty much, TPMS has nothing to do with them.

Cliff1F2

On all four corners?

tenspeed

iTrader: (1)

I live in snow country - western NY. Snows on the front are recommended if you like to stop and turn.

Z3NK1

iTrader: (2)

Yeah snow tires on all corners are a must. I probably won't raise my suspension either, neighborhood snow plow

KaiserSea1

Tried it last year with all season tires. The last time I drove in snow was my Subaru SVX AWD. My SC on plowed salted roads was unsafe in snow mode. If I had to rate my SVX grip a 10 on all season tires I would rate my SC a 3.

t119

I would not recommend driving an sc430 in the snow. I did it this winter and felt unsafe most of the time. My sc is my only car as now, but I am going to buy an old 4 runner or something for the winter.

Peter_Klim

When I lived in NY and owned my IS300, I purchased 4 snow tires mounted on Miglia 1000 rims purchased from TireRack.Com Forgot how much it cost, but it wasn't that much. It handled the snow surprisingly well! I still have the tires/rims (sold the car though). I remember seeing an SC430 with the same rims thinking: "I wonder if TireRack suggested the same setup for the winter."

Dude, these are very nice cars. Whichever of the 2 cars you drive for the winter, don't risk it it by not getting FOUR SNOW tires. I don't understand why some said to get at least 2 snows for just the front when they're rear wheel driven.

tenspeed

iTrader: (1)

That would be two on the front in addition to the two on the rear.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I also live in western new york were snow tires are basically essential and the only people you see with only 2 snow tires are old people driving big town cars and crown vics and cars of the like. in other words get 4 and you should be fine

BLAQ ICE

Get a set of BLIZZAKS (4) LM Series and you'll be more than fine

The "Snow" mode only helps the car get off the line and prevent slip and slide when starting to go(drive)after sitting idle at a stop light or moving in slow traffic.