Hey guys
I am strongly considering purchasing a G8 when they come out in Canada, but I am a little worried about having a RWD vehicle with our harsh winters..
can anyone tell me what to expect with this type of vehicle as far as winter driving goes?
thanks

I think this one may have been discussed, but I'll repeat if so. I have a GTO in Wisconsin and drive it year round. It works great with snow tires in the winter. With all the electric nannies, it should be fine. There were plenty of RWD cars 30 years ago, and they didn't have any help. People survived.

That said, I'll be getting a G8 GT, probably will do a set of snow tires and a set of summer tires. All season would be fine, you just sacrifice some in the summer performance, some in the winter.

have a dd as your alternative transportation. thats what my 05 galant and 02 liberty are going to be used for :)

chrish

I also am wondering the same thing. It does have 50/50 weight distribution which is uncommon in most RWD cars from what I understand, but I may be wrong. The 50/50 should help it keep traction on wet/snow surfaces.

Get a sent of winter tires. These cars are made to be driven and I think they are supposed to have stability control in addition to the traction control and ABS.

I've spent one winter with a 2wd Colorado, with traction control and lsd. A truck always is front heavy, but most of last winter I had a sufficient amount of bed weight to better balance it out. After not having had a non-4wd rwd vehicle in over 20 years I was skeptical going in but soon changed my tune. With a better balance and a set of snows , and of ocourse a lighter winter foot on the pedal, it should do well. 20 years ago full-sized GM rwd's only had a first gen abs and no traction or stability control, plus they were very nose heavy. But consider today, until Chryco changed their full-sized lineup (Magnum, 300, Charger) to rwd an entire generation has never ever driven a rwd vehicle, let alone possibly even ridden in one that was not 40 passenger and painted yellow.

Do insist on a vehicle in which (as GM does and Chryco does not, I believe) traction control can be turned off. There are times in getting through some drifts that you need some tire spin. It still is going to be a tough sell to my wife, who is sold on fwd, but if I get her interested in a Mercedes C-class or BMW 3 or 5, then the comparison should be easy where we will save a ton of money. I do wish that GM offered awd in more vehicles than they do - other than SUV's I think only the CTS and Saabs have awd options here in America. Are you listening, Bob?

This is also an issue that concerns me. The problem is that it doesn't snow here enough to warrant snow tires (hell some winters we get basically nothing). I'm hoping to hold on to my DD when I pick up a G8, but if not I'll get some all season tires....

The VE/G8 has one of the best ESP systems in the world. I don't see why it wouldn't handle your winters.

I recall seeing pictures of Holdens being testing in Northern Europe (Winter, Deep snow)

The VE/G8 has one of the best ESP systems in the world. I don't see why it wouldn't handle your winters.

I recall seeing pictures of Holdens being testing in Northern Europe (Winter, Deep snow)

Now that would be interesting to see. If you know where the pictures of this are a link would be great!

General Motors did an amazing job of convincing the US drivers that front wheel drive was the only way go, especially in winter .. having driven rear wheel for 15 years then converting to FWD, I found myself keeping my cars much longer because nothing excited the senses. I now drive a 4 wheel drive 95 Blazer and never even use the 4 wheel even in the "snow belt" in N.E. Ohio ... without snows .. put a set of snow tires on the rear and I am sure you will go through the harshest winter weather.

Now that would be interesting to see. If you know where the pictures of this are a link would be great!

It was "VE spy pictures" in Wheels or Motor mag here in Australia.

I'll see if i can find the mag again.

is the G8 coming out in canada? and it is fine driving in the winter, no worries, i live in MN with my GTO, no snow tires, it's fine, not hard driving at all, just don't drive in a huge snow storm and it's all good.

Don't be deterred. My uncle has a CTS-V with a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution. He put's a set of snow tires on that in the winter and can go anywhere. He lives on top of a very steep hill too.