Moving to Anchorage, Vehicle Question

[xtek95]

My daughter is getting stationed at The U.S. AirForce base in Anchorage, and with a budget of $2500 she needs to get something reliable that's gonna last her at least a couple of years.

I'm thinking maybe a late 90's Jeep Cherokee or something similar. Any suggestions? Would a front wheel drive car be sufficient (in Anchorage)?

Thanks for any help offered.

[AKBeemer]

A four wheel drive car is not a requirement in Anchorage or even in Fairbanks for that matter. Certainly it will make driving a bit easier, but a front wheel drive car will do well, especially if she uses good snow tires such as Blizaks. She will get more car for her money if she does not go for the four wheel or all wheel drive. A $2500 jeep is one that may present mechanical problems and the big 6 cyl that is in them guzzles gas. I think she'll do better to look for a compact (Civic, Corolla). I think she'll enjoy her time at Elmendorf and you now have a reason to ride up for a visit. Does your daughter ride? The ADV Rider Alaska forum is full of riders from the Anchorage area, each of them all too willing to offer advice to a new arrival. (http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=68). Be sure to tell her she needs to get away from Los Anchorage and see the real Alaska.

P.S. In my opinion some attributes that her car should have more so than four wheel drive are ABS and air bags. Better to have modern safety equipment on a 2 wheel drive car than an old four wheel drive that lacks the safety kit.

[xtek95]

I was hoping the 4x4 not truly a requirement. I too like the idea of a Corolla, Civic, Sentra or the like, with good snow tires.

She has ridden off road with me in the past, but has never ridden on the street.
She gets the pleasure of riding with daddy on his R1200RT as soon as the weather permits here.

[jamesdunn]

I lived much of my life in snow country. Most of that time was spent in the mountains. The best car I ever owned for getting around on slick roads was a '90 Toyota MR2 believe it or not. I used to run studded snows on all four wheels as recommended by the owners manual. That little mid engined car was incredibly good on wintery roads!

All that said, I agree with the purchase of a front wheel drive car. As long as the snow does not get too deep 4 wheel drive offers little, if any advantage. I have owned and used both (still do). I would advise you to have good all season tires installed on all four wheels. Full on snow tires would perform even better during the winter months. Especially if there is frequent and cumlative amounts of the white stuff.

[119240]

How about a motorcycle :thumb

[Pat Carol]

Your daughter might want to look at the Ford Escape. They are front wheel drive all the time and kick into four wheel drive when the front's start to spin.
They are very reliable and vitually maintenance free other than the usual preventative maintenance. They get up to 30 mpg and have quite the gutsy motor.

Good Luck
Pat Carol

[xtek95]

Anyone know about what it costs for block heater mods...? Her sponsor mentioned something to her about it.

[AKBeemer]

Anyone know about what it costs for block heater mods...? Her sponsor mentioned something to her about it.

The typical winterization up here is to add a block heater plus heat pads on the oil pan and battery, and to the transmission if the car is an automatic. It will run $400-500; maybe cheaper at the base garage. There's a good chance that any used car she buys in Alaska will already be winterized. I'm not sure that winterization is as big a deal in the Anchorage area is it is in Fairbanks where I live. They do not get the extended low temperatures that we get.

[Montana]

You're always better off, in that price range, to find a car there, that has what she needs. Otherwise, you'll buy the car and spend a lot more, to get it outfitted. Why not wait until she meets someone coming back the lower 48 and having to leave a decent vehicle behind?

Look for a Subaru.

[DRUDOLPH148006]

If you live where you never know what the weather will be, you can't go wrong
with a Subaru. They have over 40 years of building AWD vehicles. Get pretty
good mileage too.

[xtek95]

I've always liked Subaru ... hmmm.....

[AKBeemer]

Subaru is a very popular brand in Alaska and for good reason; they are very reliable. I bought my daughter a new 2003 Impreza when she went off to college 6 years ago and it is still going strong. But you will pay for the AWD. A good rule of thumb is to add $1500 to the price of a new car if it has AWD and around $1000 if it is used. So a $2500 used Subaru is on par with a $1500 Sentra/Civic/Corolla. You never know what kind of deal you will come across, but any AWD car you find for $2500 is likely to be older and high mileage.

[Montana]

Subaru is a very popular brand ... So a $2500 used Subaru is on par with a $1500 Sentra/Civic/Corolla. You never know what kind of deal you will come across, but any AWD car you find for $2500 is likely to be older and high mileage.

Yeah, like the previous three wagons we sold! We're on the fourth wagon and the first sedan. I think I need a Subaru tat.

[kgadley01]

My wife says she once had a Subaru, best car ever made she claims.

[vetbmwrider]

I would buy in the lower 48 and have a vehicle shippied up on her orders and save a few $$$. Or when she doe get Anchorage go to the Lemon lot on either Ft. Richardson or Elmendorf. After living in the Anchorage area for over 12 years anything with 4 wheel drive is going to be in high demand with winter coming on. The 2 things that a vehicle does need is a engine block heater and studded ties, because of all the black ice on the roads. I would stay away from Cal Worthington the ford dealer in Anchorage. He just loves to stick it to you. For the money what you are talking about it would be hard to find a good dependable 4X4 in AK

[Boone60]

Go with an AWD. She might not need it, but if she does it is extremely nice to have. My Honda Civic will sit in the winter if the weather even looks bad, and I'll run my AWD Aztek. Less mpg but more peace of mind makes it will worth it.

[xtek95]

Thanks to all for the tips. I found a great deal on a low milage 99 Sentra Limited Edition (only 88k miles) and only $3500. Drove nice, just needs new tires, which she will get in AK (Studded). I had a mechanic friend check it out and he liked it too, so i think we did good. She just needs reliable x-port from dorm to work on base. No trail blazing for her, so passed on AWD/4x4 option (for now).