Vehicle for the Trip Up & in the Kenai Winter (Anchorage: fit in, home)

[Albus1]

Anyone have any experience with a Nissan Rogue or other crossover SUV type vehicle? Have to purchase a new vehicle and would like to know if the Rogue will handle the cold and snow well. Open to any suggestions as well for a mid-priced suv that works well in the cold and snow.

[MillerThyme]

Anything with snow tires and proper experience will work.

Something to think about - IF you're going to Kenai and don't want drive into Anchorage 2.5-4 hour drive to have maintenance, warranty, or anything else that could go wrong, then you should think about purchasing a vehicle that can be locally serviced.

Kendall Ford is in Kenai, and Kendall Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep is in Soldotna. That is the only options.

The Ford Escape is very popular around here and does AMAZING in the snow (wife has a 2016). You will also see a little of everything else. They all do good, but Subaru, Ford, and Chrysler products are the most popular for obvious reasons.

Accidents happen, such as ending up in a ditch, or someone running into your vehicle in a parking lot, etc. So in my opinion something that is sold and can be serviced locally is valuable.

[AlaskaErik]

CUVs like the Rogue do fine on plowed roads and in light snow. But they won't bulldoze through a heavy accumulation like a pickup truck will. I had a Kia Sorento and I would leave it home on days with heavy snow and drive my pickup.

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by Albus1

Anyone have any experience with a Nissan Rogue or other crossover SUV type vehicle? Have to purchase a new vehicle and would like to know if the Rogue will handle the cold and snow well. Open to any suggestions as well for a mid-priced suv that works well in the cold and snow.

Make sure you get the vehicle blankets for that size. Those lower48 vehicles get really cold from late fall until late spring.

[jabogitlu]

With good tires any car is doable here on the Kenai. I prefer a Subaru or larger car just for the weight and handling. In addition, there's a fine Subaru-specialty garage here in Soldotna that is a good stand-in. I've only been to the Anchorage dealership once.

[6.7traveler]

Anyone know if that small Subaru specialty repair shop is still open in anchor point as well?

You don't really fit in down in homer unless you own a Subaru, the older and more beat up the better. It should also have at least 18 stickers on it including a "no pebble mine" and an "Alaskan Grown" one.

[RayinAK]

Any of the vehicle brands and models mentioned will do fine with the right set of winter tires. Once you get here you will notice the same kinds of vehicles found in the lower-48. Trucks are very popular, but you will see a great number of FWD automobiles, and AWD SUVs along the Toyota, Ford, Chevy/GMC, and RAM trucks.

The Kendall dealers sell and service Audi, Mazda, Volkswagen, Lexus, Kia, Porsche, Ford, Toyota, Subaru, and Honda vehicles. There are Nisan shops, at least in the Interior. There should be several Nisan dealers in the Kenai Peninsula according to a Google search I did.

During the winter I drive the following vehicles: A 2012 Toyota Corolla that wears a set of Blizzak tires, and does quite well on ice; and sometimes I drive a Silverado 4x4. My wife drives a Toyota Rav4 V6 that has a set of Blizzak tires. During the summer the Corolla and Rav 4 wear regular all-season tires, while the Silverado keeps the same tires yearlong.

[1984]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

Anyone know if that small Subaru specialty repair shop is still open in anchor point as well?

You don't really fit in down in homer unless you own a Subaru, the older and more beat up the better. It should also have at least 18 stickers on it including a "no pebble mine" and an "Alaskan Grown" one.

I haven't been in the area recently but I saw it active and open last summer.

[MillerThyme]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

Anyone know if that small Subaru specialty repair shop is still open in anchor point as well?

You don't really fit in down in homer unless you own a Subaru, the older and more beat up the better. It should also have at least 18 stickers on it including a "no pebble mine" and an "Alaskan Grown" one.

Don't forget "EAT ALASKA CRAB - WEAR GRUNDÉNS" and a host of others.

As RayinAK stated "There should be several Nisan dealers in the Kenai Peninsula according to a Google search I did." - - - The Kenai Peninsula does not have these dealers.

The Peninsula does not have any Nissan dealers. However my mother purchased a new Subaru back in 2012 and she was worried about serviceability and they worked out a written deal stating small warranty and repairs may be done at the local Ford dealer.

Naturally this was never needed and she sold the vehicle 18 months later because she wanted something that is easier to get in and out.

[Albus1]

Thanks for the info! Went with a Dodge Durango since there is a dealer in Soldotna. Appreciate the help and opinions of everyone!