moving from CA to CO....should i get a different car? (Denver: for sale, rent)

[ocean minded]

I live in san diego right now and where the sun shines all year round...i drive a hundyai accent and im wondering if my car will do fine out there...we are moving in like the parker area...what do you guys think?

[suzco]

Originally Posted by ocean minded

I live in san diego right now and where the sun shines all year round...i drive a hundyai accent and im wondering if my car will do fine out there...we are moving in like the parker area...what do you guys think?

We have a great Colorado Index Thread.

When you look through that, you'll find some threads to read to get you started:

- What's your worst Colorado winter driving experience?
- Driving in the Winter Snow.
- colorado winter + tires
- Question About Driving?
- Do you need a Jeep?
- Hey all you Colorado car guys...need your input!
- AWD or 4x4 SUV??
- Tire chains / When Do I Need Them / Where to Buy

[EscapeCalifornia]

That's front wheel drive, right? I drove a low HP front drive car with no traction control around in the snow and ice last month when I was there and it did OK. Hills were a bit tricky though. I think an automatic would do better than a manual in situations where you need to apply power very, very gently to avoid spinning the drive wheels. My old car had a manual and a lot of power on the front wheels and I wouldn't have wanted to drive it on ice. 4 wheel drive will increase your ability to get going on ice, but its not required.

[Katarina Witt]

If you look through the threads that suzco suggests, you will find the preponderance of opinion is "no". You will find plenty of my posts there, too. I am with the majority. Maybe next time you need to buy a car, whether that is next year or five years from now, get an AWD.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by ocean minded

I live in san diego right now and where the sun shines all year round...
...what do you guys think?

Better get some wax on that car because it's even sunnier in Colorado.

Parker is a really nice place by the way.

[Mike78613]

It's FWD - its a great gas saver, it has ABS and cheap to insure. You'll do fine w/ the Accent.

[sterlinggirl]

The car will do fine, and if you're learning how to drive in the snow, a cheaper car is better. If you put Blizzak tires on it during the winter, you'll be in better shape than a lot of the AWD cars with all season tires.

[livecontent]

You would be better to get the cheapest and most fuel efficient car. You do not need 4wd or all wheel drive in the Denver Metro Area--they consume more fuel. I grew up in Buffalo NY and most everyone had was a rear wheel drive car with snow tires; here you only need all weather.

OK, some of you will say, I go to the mountains to ski and I need a big muscle car---not all the time, and unless your job involves driving much for sales calls--I would stay with a small fuel efficient car. If you one of the majority who goes to remote mountains, infrequently, then you can rent those whoremobiles when you need it; there are many auto sales pimps out there who maintain a stable. Or better, yet, try to live and work, in an area, that you can use public transportation Car Free living in Denver and maybe you can save gas, use your car less, or be carfree and really be free and
Livecontent

[ocean minded]

Wow....Thanks guys for all your help! I really didn't think I would get this much advice so soon!! I feel much better about keeping my car around now...thanks so much again!

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by livecontent

here you only need all weather.

An all weather tire will get you around, but a good snow tire will stop you in half the distance when its icy out.