So I'll be moving to Oak Harbor-ish area once I get offered a job. I was wondering if it's really necessary to have studded snow tires for the area. I'm worried because for one I've never touched or driven through snow. I'm originally from San Jose Ca. and have been living in AZ for the past 8 years. Any advice to a snow newbie?

 

How low are you?

 

I'm sitting on Tein S-Techs right now on my tC2. So -1.5 F,-1.8 R. Basically no fender to tire gap. I do intend to go on coils hopefully by the beginning of the year.

 

If you've never driven in snow having "Winter tires" is a must. They will provide you with more traction(read safety) when the white stuff flies. I used to have a set(read 4) mounted on a extra set of wheels when I lived in Seattle.

 

How much does it really snow on Whidbey Island?

 

I drive slow in the snow.

 

I would recommend it, I live in Whidbey Island and it sometimes gets crazy over here. I've just recently moved back to Whidbey (Oak Harbor specifically) I'm probably going to experience my first snow here again. But I would recommend it. Lots of uphills and downhills. Invest in some snow tires as well. All-Seasons are not worth having. I would like to purchase Summer Tires and Snow Tires but my parent's garage doesn't warrant it and I don't have a job yet. Welcome to Whidbey once you moved here. Any more questions, just ask.

 

Anyone know is hiring on the island? Especially automotive? I'm trying to get hired for the NEX but it's hard without being there. If I have something lined up I can be there within 2 weeks completely moved.

 

Unfortunately the NEX is the only one on the island that is offering Automotive jobs. Mt. Vernon and Bellingham has a couple jobs for the automotive enthusiast. There's a couple jobs in Coupeville (15 mins away from Oak Harbor) for dishwasher and server. Burlington (45mins away from OH) is looking for a Service Adviser Assistant in an automotive dealership.

Most of the jobs are pretty much off island. You just have to search thoroughly.

 

That's what sucks. I fear going through Deception Pass when the snow hits due to my inexperience with driving through the snow. I hope I can find something on the island.

 

It is actually not that bad going through Deception Pass. Just have to take it slow that's all. Just before and after it. The thing to remember is to brake sooner than usual...like SOON.

Yeah finding a job on the island is difficult because it's such a small place. It's possible that I'll be getting a job in Bremerton. That will cause me to drive 15 mins to the ferry, then take a 30 min ferry trip to Port Townsend, then drive 30-45 minutes to Bremerton lol. I won't be looking forward to that in the winter.

 

That's quite a commute. And although it's a 30 minute ferry ride, you still won't be able to take a nap unless you want to get yelled at. Yeah I saw postings for automotive jobs and sent replies. But I don't know how desirable I am to employers when I'm not even there yet. Don't they close off Deception Pass over the winter at times? Can lowered cars even make it onto the ferry. I remember we took the shuttle to and from Oak Harbor and when we got on the ferry the bus shook pretty violently.

 

You never know, but it's good that you've already sent replies. Better that than not doing it at all. I don't think they ever closed it when I was there except for the terrible winter storm in 2007 (power in Oak Harbor shut out and you needed a 4x4 to drive the streets). Now that I'm back, I doubt they'll close it unless there's another snow storm. I've seen quite a few lowered cars make it on the ferry unless you're slammed. How low is your car anyway? I'm heading out to Bremerton this Saturday so I'll be able to tell you for sure. My car is too stock to be considered cool lol.

 

Ha hah my car is pretty stock as well. I only have it on Tein S-Techs. so basically got rid of tire to fender gap. I'm an ex-street racer from the mid 90's turned domesticated dad/husband to now hobbyist. Yeah I've tried applying on base as well. Judging by the responses I've been getting, I look forward to meeting all the Scion folks on the island. I've even PM'ed a few guys and have been very helpful. I hope the Honda crowd on the island isn't your typical kind. I only became a Scion guy because I got tired of getting my jacked and broken into. But I'm glad I did the change. It's such a different experience as a whole. Thanks for the quick replies btw.

 

Honestly, I never met the other scion folks here lol. I was in West Beach when another tC1 came out of nowhere and honked his horn at me. I've seen the Honda folks and some are pretty bad and big time posers. Like one guy had his intercooler ZIPTIED to his front bumper lol. I want to practice driving stick some more so I can get me a MT tC1 or tC2 as a second car. But unfortunately I don't have any friends here anymore. I was hoping my buddy in Bremerton could help me but his 240SX engine is out of commission.

Yeah no problem, I have nothing else better to do besides job hunting. So I'm constantly on the computer. With the pain from getting 4 wisdom teeth taken out, all I want to do is sleep lol. Oxycodone ftw. I never liked the Honda crowd, I was practicing driving stick with my buddy's DA Integra back in Federal Way, the next couple nights, his car got jacked lol. Had LS VTEC and all that. Then my other buddy's DA Integra got jacked too in Tacoma lol. They finally switched over to different cars.

 

Yeah my 91 Si hatch got broken into 5 times in about 3 year span in San Jose Ca but that was the late 90's in the East Side. Here in rural Glendale AZ new development and everything my DB1 ( 90 4 dr integra) got broken into 5 times in a year and a half and stolen once for joy ride around 2007. We had audio and video and cops didn't do anything. I had the 2009 tC1 and now own the 2012 tC2. I like both cars but the new one costs 3 times more to mod. Even an oil change isn't that simple anymore. It takes a special tool just to take care of the filter element. But I still love it. I learned how to drive stick when I bought my 85 crx in 1997 and drove it home. It was interesting but when I got it down I was a master. I guess. LOL

 

Hey guys. Sorry I havent been on here a little while with shows and work. Anyways allow me to welcome you to Whidbey Island, when you get up here that is. I'm the president of IslandScions. I'm sure Mex has seen some of us around. I wouldnt be surprsied if that TC that pulled up to you was one of our group members. We started out as just myself and then two others, after doing a little "stalking" lol. After exchanging numbers and spreading the word we are 25 members strong. Not everyone is as active as some of us are but its nice to have a SCION community up here. Most of the time the SCION community is down south near tacoma or seattle.

Ok so I have lived in washington my whole life. Currently I am in the Navy and recently decided to go career. I have spend three years on Whidbey Island and as far as the snow goes I literally have had no problem in the snow. Taking it slow around turns and not taking them sharp will help you out. Ice is what I think you should be more worried about, especially black ice. Even then though with our cars having most of the weight on the front wheels and being FWD traction is still pretty good.

I have heard of HONDA crews being very questionable, which is a HUGE understatement lol. We have a member who works at the WALMART in town and a couple of the HONDA members work for him. They know of ISLANDSCIONS and think our vehicles are pretty neat and have tons of options. Typically we stay out of eachothers way. Oak Harbor is known for its military occupation as I am sure you are aware of and with that there are HONDA members who are in the service. I think that helps keep them trustworthy and there hands to thereselves for the most part. However I have been hearing recently that HONDA'S have been getting stolen left and right and the police know who it is but cant catch them in the act. Course this may just be me but a simple GPS tracking device placed in a "baited car" would be more than suffient enough to catch someone.

Anyways if you have any questions, either of you, and/or would like to check us out you can visit our website at http://www.islandscions.com and check us out at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/237288582960511/.

Hope to hear from you. I'm Dustin by the way.

 

Hey Dustin, Nice to hear from you. You said you know someone who works at Walmart. I hate to do this but is their auto service department hiring. My father-in-law has a friend that used to work for that department. They are both retired Navy. His name is Norman Kiocho, your friend might know him. I know he retired maybe around 4 years ago from Walmart from the auto dept. I'll definitely let you know when I get there. Hopefully the NEX will call me for Auto Service Supervisor soon. I'm an OG Honda guy just not a fan of the haters that come along with it. I have various things I can contribute to the group. I know bolt-ons, audio, visual, security, and other things involving cars. I may be a retired street racer from the Bay Area in the 90's but I have always been an automotive enthusiast. Hope we meet soon and thank you for your service. I tried to sign up for the Air Force but at the time I was 30 and was too old. I regret not joining out of high school.

 

Yeah what Dustin said! LOL...welcome bro...i drive a tC2 on S-Techs...snow isnt that bad on the island...look forward to meeting ya!

 

Sweet a fellow tC2 and on S-Techs. What color is yours? I look forward to being on the island and meeting the Island Scions crew.