Colorado is a beautiful state that has long, cold winters. Snowy weather has occurred throughout the entire year in certain higher elevation areas of the state. However, the usual snowy weather happens from late October through late April. In the Denver Front Range area, the snow stays on the ground longer than in other areas of the state. If you live in Colorado or will be in the area long-term for the winter season, you’ll want to drive reliable used cars to ensure safe travels in the unpredictable snowy season. Maneuvering through snow, sleet, ice, and rain can be dangerous if you aren’t driving a vehicle with front wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, or all-wheel-drive. A vehicle with rear-wheel-drive will not serve you well in harsh Colorado winters. Consider the following inclement weather driving tips and the top used cars that are ideal for driving in bad winter weather.
Inclement Weather Driving Tips
Before we discuss the best used cars, it’s important to understand some basic inclement weather driving tips. Make sure you are well-rested since you’ll need to be hypervigilant when driving in inclement weather. When starting the vehicle to warm it up, never do that in a garage or other enclosed area. Whatever used car you are driving, it needs to have properly inflated tires that have good tread to ensure proper traction to avoid slipping and sliding.
You need to maintain control when driving, so refrain from using cruise control in these types of bad weather conditions. Pay attention to the road at all times. Don’t use your cell phone. Avoid any distractions whenever possible. Be prepared for any changes in weather conditions by listening to the local forecast. Download a weather app on your smartphone so you’ll always be prepared for any driving conditions.
Accelerate slowly and never slam on your breaks to avoid skidding. Be prepared to start slowing down early when approaching a light or stop sign. Don’t apply the full pressure of your foot on the brake pad when braking. Instead of slamming the brake pedal, press firmly and allow your ABS system to do its job. Depending on the traffic in front of you, it is optimal to slow down keeping as much distance as possible between you and the vehicles ahead. Then slowly inch forward until the light changes. This can prevent skidding forward when the light changes green.
Be careful when driving up and down hills. Try to decelerate slowly before reaching the top of a hill, so you won’t be tempted to slam on the breaks and end up sliding down. Try not to stop completely at the bottom of a hill. If you stop, you may slide when trying to accelerate up.
Top Used Cars to Drive in Colorado
You can survive the harsh Colorado winters by driving a reliable used car that will keep you safe and get you to your destination. When driving in the winter consider one of these top used cars.
Subaru Outback
A used Subaru Outback comes with standard all-wheel drive which is a must when driving in inclement weather. Whether you need to drive on a daily commute on snowy roads to the office, or you’re off on a winter adventure, the Subaru Outback is a great choice. It is a family-friendly vehicle with spacious storage. This vehicle has some technical features you’ll love like the Eyesight driver assistance system.
Nissan Pathfinder
This compact SUV features third-row seating that is comfortable for your passengers. The vehicle comes standard with front-wheel drive. However, upgraded models have better traction capacity for inclement weather situations with all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder is spacious and will help you navigate in winter weather.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
This SUV has received many awards for excellence and may be the ideal used car you are looking for to handle Colorado winters. It was designed to expertly handle off-road driving while providing a comfortable and spacious interior. You can drive confidently in Colorado winters with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Toyota Sienna
If you need a minivan that can handle winter driving conditions, then the Toyota Sienna is perfect for you and your family. This minivan is unique in that it offers all-wheel drive, so you can drive confidently knowing you and your passengers are safe. This used car will deliver its worth in value throughout the long Colorado winter season.
Land Rover Range Rover
With the Land Rover Range Rover, you get an SUV that delivers optimized performance as well as high-quality luxury. You’re in good hands with a Range Rover. This automotive brand has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing excellent off-road vehicles that can handle harsh terrain. Whether you are driving to work or hitting the trails, this used car will maintain a smooth ride and get you safely where you are headed.
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is an all-wheel drive used car that is perfect for drivers on a budget, but who want a truly reliable vehicle. When properly maintained, these models have been known to last for well over a hundred thousand miles. It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine and delivers excellent fuel economy. You’ll be able to safely maneuver on snowy roadways with the all-wheel drive in this Subaru. This WRX model is available in either a sedan or wagon.
Volkswagen Passat 4Motion
This Volkswagen features an all-wheel-drive system that is similar to Audi all-wheel-drive vehicles. The Passat 4Motion will help you easily navigate tough weather conditions, so you can survive the winter season. You can find a used VW Passat 4Motion as a sedan or wagon. Again, with proper care, Passats can keep going for the long haul.
Mazdaspeed 6
If you prefer to drive a sleek and stylish vehicle, but don’t know which used car is reliable for winter weather – check out the Mazdaspeed 6. This vehicle features a high-powered engine, stylish design, and all-wheel-drive capability. This vehicle is ideal to drive all year, but still reliable in winter weather. However, make sure you dust off your manual transmission driving skills since this used car is only available as a 6-speed manual transmission.
Ford Fusion AWD
This used car replaced the popular Ford Taurus in 2005. All trim packages for the Ford Fusion are available in all-wheel-drive, so that is ideal for driving in winter weather. If you want a reliable sedan that can handle snowy terrain, consider buying a used Ford Fusion AWD. It will help to get you and your passengers where you need to go while helping you more easily maneuver on snowy roadways.
Finding the best-used cars can be tricky since you want to find one that is reliable, yet affordable. However, this process can be even more difficult when trying to find one that will perform well in harsh weather conditions like winters in Colorado. Use this list of top used cars to drive in Colorado winters to help you get started on your search to find the right vehicle that performs well and offers optimal safety. Remember to find used cars with 4 wheel drive or all-wheel drive – or at least front wheel drive. You need effective traction capability in your vehicle if you want to survive on snowy roadways. Don’t forget to drive with caution and follow the winter driving tips discussed in this article.
