Automarket Journal

Finding used cars in Michigan is different than in, say, used cars in Georgia or Texas. Colder, snowier climates offer very different challenges in owning and driving a car than warm-weather climates.

One thing you need to keep in mind when buying used cars for this type of climate is that you need a vehicle that can get around easily in a surprise snow — i.e., 4-wheel drive and good snow tires. You might go to work and the weather is fine, but when you leave for home it’s blizzarding. Therefore if you took the rear wheel drive sports car to work that day, you’re pretty much screwed.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the salts and chemicals that are sprayed on the roads to make them safer to navigate may also be harmful to your car. Before buying a used car, you should always check out the undercarriage for signs of rust and corrosion. This can be particularly dangerous if it gets into your suspension and brake systems. Once the car is yours, be sure to always protect it from corrosion by washing the undercarriage thoroughly at the pressure washer after every snowstorm.

One more thing you’ll want to consider is gas mileage. Of course, by nature the 4-wheel drive vehicles that get around well in the snow are also gas guzzlers, so you’ll have to balance your needs for a snow vehicle with your needs for a car that is good on gas.

Buying a vehicle in Michigan or another snowy climate isn’t all that difficult if you know what to look for. What do you like to see in a good car for driving in the snow?

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