What kind of car should I get that works good in the snow for an assignment at Fort Drum?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:07:37 -0500

i’m going to fort drum and i know it snows there a lot. and if i wanted to have some sort of fun i would have to get off base and go kinda far so i was wondering what type of car should i get that would work good with the snow or just a good car in general to get

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 3:21 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:21:18 -0500

DO NOT GET A MUSTANG WITH 24% INTEREST! But seriously check with your first line leader. They should be able to guide you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 3:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:31:34 -0500

Most cars work just fine once you put snow tires on them. They have little spikes that bite into the snow and give you a good traction. Just stay away from anything with rear wheel drive

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Nov 27 at 2019 3:32 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:32:06 -0500

Trailblazers are great in the snow if they have 4WD and decent tires, and you can usually find a used one with both of the above for around $1,000. I loved mine when I was up there.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Nov 27 at 2019 3:36 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:36:46 -0500

As a private you are not going to be making a bunch of money.
I encourage you to go to college. I imagine you'll be stationed at drum for 2 years. You can easily get an associates in that time. You can get all the points for school, that you'll need for E-5 promotion, in that time. There's still going to be plenty of partying on base. Make friends with other guys and gals in the barracks. Carpool with one of them.
Also, not too much further north there is a place called Alexandria Bay. It's beautiful. Not too far south there is syracuse. It's ok. Basically you are close enough to catch an uber to some pretty good spots without spending a load on a car. With a car you're going to have the payment, insurance, gas, and maintenance. E-1-E-4 money is enough to get a car, but not enough to have fun with one. Do your best to not max out credit cards and get yourself into a heap of debt. That will affect you negatively throughout your military career. Budgeting is very important. Learn it now before you become one of the "statistics" with $100,000 of debt and little to show for it.
Also, there are hundreds of state parks in NY. An excellent location if you enjoy hiking or fishing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 3:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:41:57 -0500

AWD is recomended on snow. Ask someone who can help you get a the vehicle before you get screwed with payments or if you think you know what youre doing go for it.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 27 at 2019 3:49 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:49:47 -0500

Subaru anything

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 27 at 2019 4:47 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 16:47:24 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member great question first get something you can afford. Next, ask you NCO to offer advice when you get here and lastly do not buy locally get away from the base to purchase any vehicle.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 27 at 2019 6:28 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 18:28:15 -0500

First my credentials, I live in Northern Michigan. In priority order
_Get good snow tires. DO NOT drive on them all year, once the snow is gone for the winter put your summer tires back on.
_Pay attention to deer crossing signs. Swerving/braking to avoid a deer causes A LOT of rollovers. If you are in a deer crossing area, between morning nautical twilight and about a half hour after sunrise (opposite at night) slow to around 45mph. If a deer does pop out, foot off the gas. DO NOT BRAKE, DO NOT STEER TO MISS. A deer strike causes far less damage than a rollover.
_Get 4 wheel drive. 2nd best front wheel drive. Last choice rear wheel drive.
_My wife swears by her PT Cruiser. I like my pickup truck with 200lbs of sand over the axle. We both have SERIOUS Snow tires.
_If you don't have a lot of experience driving in the snow, get a junker. One dent on top of another isn't going to decrease the value much.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 27 at 2019 7:44 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 19:44:26 -0500

Honestly, the car matters far less than the driver. I grew up driving in Michigan. When I went to Drum, me and my Front Wheel Drive Taurus fared far better than the southerners and their 4WD pickups or Jeeps. If you DO get that perfect snow truck with 4WD and snow tires and weight over the axle, don't get a false sense of security. RESPECT THE SNOW AND ICE.

That being said, what everyone else has said about 4WD and snow tires is accurate. (And also about making sure you can afford the car/using the lemon lot/ getting a beater).

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 9:08 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 21:08:05 -0500

Definitely something AWD or 4x4.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 11:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 23:16:59 -0500

The wife and me just purchased a couple used vehicles over the last 2 years. There are some good buys out there. Probably the best value for the buck that we saw is a Nissan Rogue: comfortable, roomy, can carry a bit of equipment. Down side, it’s not flashy. You really got some great advice on this question, lots of very good advice.

Response by PO2 Charles Brey made Nov 28 at 2019 8:39 AM

PO2 Charles Brey — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 08:39:48 -0500

I've had good luck with Subarus, not there hotrod turbos, but the normally aspirated kind. A cheap AWD SUV would be acceptable, if you can find an affordable one. If you're and off-roader, then a Jeep is good almost anywhere, any duty station

Response by MSgt Joseph Holness made Nov 28 at 2019 11:11 AM

MSgt Joseph Holness — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 11:11:11 -0500

Why you should invest in one of those new Tesla Wonder Trucks. Just don't drive anywhere down-town or questionable neighborhood after dark since it's not bullet-proof (LOL)

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Nov 28 at 2019 11:32 AM

Sgt Jim Belanus — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 11:32:44 -0500

F150 super crew 4x4

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2019 4:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:14:41 -0500

4 letters, "JEEP"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2019 6:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 18:41:21 -0500

Something with 4 Wheel Drive or all wheel drive.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Nov 28 at 2019 8:13 PM

SFC Marc W. — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 20:13:23 -0500

Only two things you need for any vehicle in snow are good snow tires and slow down. For a brand new private, I'd say a used subaru in the $5-7k range.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Nov 29 at 2019 1:11 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 01:11:21 -0500

Any front wheel drive or all wheel drive car will serve you well. I have lived all my life in this region, (Saranac Lake and now Central Vermont), and have driven both. You will not be four wheeling with it, and the highway departments are well equipped and skilled at snow removal. It will not be like Virginia where we have kids and grandkids, and the streets of Fairfax are half-axed plowed at best.

I drove a Honda Accord for years year around with no problems. Currently we have a CRV and I have driven it in 8-10 inches of snow (my driveway) without getting stuck.

You can get snow tires with or without studs. If you go studded they have to be off the vehicle by May 1st in NY. Personally, I drive with good quality all weather tires, and have never had a traction problem.

My caveats would be directed more to the vehicle. Make sure it is properly winterized. What will be OK in more Southern locales, will not cut it in areas where -20F is not unusual. Inspect for rust, especially in an older car. Salt is murder on frames and bodies. Personally I take my car through a car wash with an underbody spray at least once a month in the winter.

If you get a chance visit Saranac Lake during winter carnival. Usually the first full week in February. It is a blast. There are also many world class events in Lake Placid.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 9:31 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 09:31:09 -0500

The first thing I would say is that if you are unaccustomed to snow, you need to learn how to drive in it before you invest too much in a vehicle. Truly, as an E-1, that is probably a good choice anyway.
Get a vehicle with 4WD. If it is a pickup, get some sandbags to get some weight over the axles.
Invest in decent tires, as they are the only thing between the snowy road and your vehicle.

Once you have procured your vehicle, find an open place like a parking lot to find out what it can and can't do. How long it takes to stop. How to approach a stop. Turning in slippery conditions. Things like that.

If you find that you can't afford what you need, make friends with someone who does and chip in for fuel. Smart money is to have a friend along with you whenever you venture into Watertown or points further afield anyway. Keeps everyone safer.
Good luck, SPC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SSG Dennis O'Connor made Nov 29 at 2019 10:15 AM

SSG Dennis O'Connor — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 10:15:40 -0500

Was stationed at Drum for 6 1/2 years. Do not get anything with rear wheel drive. Either front, 4, or AWD. Also consider the fact that weight equals traction. The more the vehicle weighs the more traction you'll have. Those cute SUVs are nice but suck in winter driving due to light weight. My recommendation is full size truck or SUV.

Response by SPC(P) Mark Mathews made Nov 29 at 2019 4:56 PM

SPC(P) Mark Mathews — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 16:56:16 -0500

If you are a trail nut get a 4 wheel drive. If you stick to the streets get an AWD

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Nov 29 at 2019 4:56 PM

SFC Terry Wilcox — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 16:56:23 -0500

The type of vehicle is less an item - it is the skill of the operator that matters most. Having said this, The more tread and weight on the drive tires the better. 4 drive tires, with no tread, is no better than a single drive tire, with no tread. Not knowing when to "let-up" on the gas - and not off the accelerator; when to tap the breaks, when not to brake; knowing what to, and not to do aproaching an overpass; and a hundred other safety factors, on ice and snow. The type of vehicle? How about a WWII half-track?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2019 11:34 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 11:34:42 -0500

A USED car. Save your money.

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Dec 1 at 2019 6:33 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 18:33:59 -0500

The hands down best vehicle for snow that I have owned was a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk w/V6. That car made short work of every snow drift I hit. I live in rural NE Ohio and see alot of snow

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 2 at 2019 5:50 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 17:50:47 -0500

Loved my Subaru 4WD when we lived in Alaska. Handled snow really well. Also good on wet roads. Only studded tires help with ice.

Response by SGT William Brown made Dec 11 at 2019 8:44 AM

SGT William Brown — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 08:44:58 -0500

It depends on how you drive, I drove an old Ford LTD rw drive and had no problems, but I was brought up in that area and drove prudently. If you drive like like an idiot I'm sorry not even 4wd will help you. Buy according to the way you drive is the best advice I can give you.

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Jan 13 at 2020 2:17 PM

LCpl Michael Cappello — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 14:17:50 -0500

If you have little or no experience driving in snow and ice, I would recommend an "All Wheel Drive" vehicle. Subaru is IDEAL for this. As an ASE Certified Master Mechanic, I have come to respect Subaru VERY MUCH. PS. I live in Syracuse, NY and have relatives in Watertown, NY. I have known Subarus to go where 4WD trucks have had difficulty. Good fuel economy and very safe. They also hold a good resale value.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 13 at 2020 4:35 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:35:43 -0500

Take your time, don’t rush into it! See what the car market looks like and then wait some more. See the trend? Put some money away, and wait further more. At some point you’ll see a good option that will pop in front of you.

Response by SGT Donald Dover made Jan 15 at 2020 5:36 PM

SGT Donald Dover — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:36:04 -0500

A lot of good advice here already. My 2¢... just watch out for other drivers. People will slide through stop signs, and lose control around bends, defensive driving is key. I survived up there for 5 years with a ‘94 Grand Prix with some aggressive tires on the front. I never had a problem getting out to Sackets Harbor or even Syracuse in the snow.

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Aug 8 at 2020 7:39 AM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 07:39:43 -0400

Just check State Law concerning tire spikes because some states may prohibit them.