What is the best car to purchase if moving to the Vail Valley area in colorado?

[marti s]

We were thinking subaru for the safest car that can drive in the snow and black ice.

[marvin_g_33334]

yes- just make sure it is 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive..

[McGowdog]

If you are in anyway uncomfortable in your ability to navigate through the wicked storms they get up there, may I suggest;


No, but seriously. A vehicle with 4WD or AWD like a Subaru (Substantially Under-powered, But Always Runs Uphill...just joking) will be helpful. But you might be amazed at how well a front wheel drive will do in the snow with a little care. I don't care if you've got an All Wheel Drive or a 4-wheel drive, you've still gotta follow the rules; don't drive like the other idots out there. Don't go too fast (the posted speed limits are for good weather conditions, don't feel pressured to "go with the flow"). Don't tailgate. Give yourself plenty of room to slow down. I feel safer going uphill than I do downhill. I adjust the gear, whether it's an automatic or a standard to keep speed from getting out of hand. 4-wheel drive doesn't mean 4-wheel stop, rather it means 4-wheel slide. They're great for getting going, but don't over-run your headlights. This means if visibility is bad, slow the heck down or wait it out.

I'd recommend at least M/S tires (mud and snow). If you want to get more aggressive snow tires for the winter and some highway tires for the summer and early fall months, this is worth the investment.

[PDXnative]

We had a bad snow and ice storm here in Portland a few years ago. We are not used to heavy snow fall, and the limited amount of plows that we had could only plow the main streets. This made large snow berms at each side street (think grid pattern). I had to take my wife to work (my work was closed). I have a 2001 Nissan Xterra 4x4, so I thought it would be fun. I went up and over the snow berm at the end of our street, and as I drove the 15 miles to her work, I noticed a LOT of 4x4 Subarus high and centered on those snow berms at cross streets with all 4 wheels spinning in the air. Seriously funny to me, but not for them.

You can have the best snow tires in the World, but if you do not have the clearance to get over the snow, you are not going anywhere. Colorado often gets over one foot of snow at a time. I think that would be hitting the bumpers of most cars. I have driven my Xterra through 2+ feet of snow (hitting front bumper) and not get stuck. I suggest you get something that has some clearance, 4 wheel drive, and go with Bridgrestone Dueler A/T Revo tires (best rated, and I agree), or beefier, and studs for ice. Another option is to have two sets of tires, one for summer, and one for snow and ice.

[the dufferz]

You guys got it all wrong.

Dodge Viper. Spin the wheels so fast the snow and ice melts... it just may take 2 months to do it, but heck... it's a viper!

Duff