In My Winter Car's brutal Finnish winter, choosing the right vehicle for each task can mean the difference between success and freezing to death on a snowy backroad. This guide compares all player-drivable vehicles currently available in Early Access, helping you understand which vehicle best fits your immediate needs - whether that's daily commuting, hauling the Rivett chassis, or earning money through side jobs.
Unlike My Summer Car where you owned the Hayosiko van from the start, My Winter Car requires you to strategically use different vehicles for different purposes. Each has specific strengths, limitations, and use cases you need to understand to survive and progress.
🚙 Starter Vehicle: Sorbett 1600 LTD
Real-World Basis
French-designed Talbot 1510 5-door hatchback (1980s model)
Specifications
Transmission
5-Speed Manual
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel Capacity
~58L (est.)
Location
Outside apartment
Key Features
❄️ Winter-Specific Equipment
- Block heater with exterior plug - CRITICAL for cold starts
- Rear window electric heater - Essential for visibility
- Cabin heater - Adjustable temperature and blower
- Folding rear seats - Extra cargo space for parts
Strengths
- ✅ Immediately available and free to use
- ✅ FWD provides decent traction on snowy roads (better than RWD)
- ✅ Reliable for daily use - minimal maintenance required in EA
- ✅ Sufficient trunk and interior space for parts shopping
- ✅ Relatively fuel-efficient for town errands
Limitations
- ❌ Cannot be opened/repaired (hood doesn't open in current EA)
- ❌ Will get stuck if driven off-road or in deep snow
- ❌ Not suitable for heavy hauling (use Kekmet instead)
- ❌ Battery drains in extreme cold if not plugged in
💡 Best Use Cases
- Daily commute to Futufon office job
- Shopping trips to PSK and Fleetari's
- Parts runs while building the Rivett
- Advertisement delivery job
- Any paved-road transportation
⚠️ Critical Survival Tips
- ALWAYS plug in block heater when parked - oil freezes without it
- ALWAYS unplug before driving - will rip cord out and damage socket
- Scrape windshield manually while heater warms up (takes ~5 minutes)
- Let engine warm 2-3 minutes before driving in extreme cold
🏎️ Project Car: Corris Rivett
Real-World Basis
Ford Taunus TC1 (1971-1976 model years)
Specifications
Stock Power
98 hp @ 5,500 RPM
Stock Torque
155 Nm @ 3,700 RPM
Max Tuned Power
~215 hp @ 8,000 RPM
Transmission
4-spd / 5-spd / 3-spd Auto
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Total Build Cost
15,000-30,000 mk
Trim Levels (VIN-Determined)
Each Rivett has a randomized VIN that determines factory specification:
- L - Base trim
- LX - Premium trim
- SLX - Performance/luxury trim
- GT - Rare sporty trim (affects wheels, diff, interior, etc.)
Acquisition Process
📞 How to Purchase
- Call
08-609-553 from apartment phone (use numpad)
- Let seller finish talking (don't hang up early or call won't register)
- Travel to map location during daylight (seller not home at night)
- Pay 500 mk for bare shell + 10-12 random parts (randomized condition)
- Transport shell home using Kekmet tractor
Assembly Requirements
Estimated Costs:
- Shell: 500 mk
- All new parts from Fleetari: ~15,000-20,000 mk
- Mix of new/used/scavenged parts: ~8,000-15,000 mk
- Total investment: 15,000-30,000+ mk depending on approach
Time Investment: Weeks of real-time gameplay (this is the main gameplay loop)
Parts Count: 200+ individual components required
Strengths
- ✅ Fully customizable (choose transmission, carburetors, suspension, etc.)
- ✅ Can be built for daily driving, racing, or historical registration
- ✅ Satisfying mechanical progression
- ✅ Required for Rally Sprint and Ice Track racing events
- ✅ Can achieve high performance with proper tuning
Limitations
⚠️ CRITICAL: No Rev Limiter!
- ❌ Over-revving destroys engine permanently (no electronic limiter)
- ❌ RWD makes it tail-happy on ice (add sandbags in trunk for weight)
- ❌ Gets stuck immediately in snow/off-road
- ❌ Expensive and time-consuming to build
- ❌ Engine parts (block, cylinder head, steering column) are unique - damage is permanent
💡 Best Use Cases
- Long-term project and main gameplay objective
- Racing events (once properly built)
- Historical vehicle registration (if restored to VIN spec)
- Custom performance builds
- NOT recommended for beginners until Sorbett is mastered
🔧 Critical Building Tips
- Read VIN plate in engine bay - decode at Amistech website
- Work in heated garage when possible
- Use torque wrench for critical bolts
- Never rev cold engine
- Install tachometer immediately - watch for over-rev
- Test thoroughly before taking on public roads
🚜 Work Vehicle: Kekmet 502 Tractor
Real-World Basis
Finnish Valmet 502 agricultural tractor
Specifications
Snow Capability
✅ Excellent
Location
Woodshed (parents' house)
❄️ ONLY Vehicle for Off-Road/Snow
Developer confirmed: "Yes you can drive off-road, only with tractor. With rest of the vehicles, you get stuck."
This makes the Kekmet irreplaceable for certain tasks.
Unique Capabilities
- Front hydraulic lift - Can lift Rivett chassis for underside work
- Trailer hitch - Attach included trailer for hauling
- Wide aggressive tires - Designed for snow and rough terrain
- Always starts - Developer-confirmed it starts regardless of weather
- Automatic heater - Heats based on engine temp (no manual control)
Included Equipment
- Trailer (found at same woodshed location)
- Firewood cutter attachment (at woodshed)
💡 Primary Uses
- Hauling Rivett Body: After purchase, transport from seller to your garage
- Firewood Delivery: Load chopped wood on trailer, deliver for income
- Parts Transport: Heavy/bulky parts that don't fit in Sorbett
- Off-Road Access: Reach locations other vehicles can't
- Vehicle Lift: Use front lift as makeshift car jack for Rivett
Limitations & Tips
- Very slow: Plan 2-3x travel time vs Sorbett
- Stable but heavy: Difficult to tip, but momentum makes stopping slow
- Diesel starting: May need glow plugs in extreme cold
- Trailer loading: Back up to load, hitch manually
- Not for daily commute: Too slow for regular Futufon trips
🚛 Income Vehicle: Gifu 405 T Septic Truck
Real-World Basis
Sisu M-series vacuum truck
Specifications
Engine Type
Turbocharged Diesel
Axles
3-Axle Configuration
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Primary Use
Septic Pumping
Location
Waste Processing Plant
Key Features
- Vacuum pump system for septic tank work
- Large capacity tank
- Job-specific equipment
- Automatic heater based on engine temperature
Strengths
- ✅ Generates income through septic pumping jobs
- ✅ Free to use (you own it - uncle gave it to you)
- ✅ More reliable income than firewood in some situations
Limitations
- ❌ Limited to septic job use
- ❌ Diesel cold starts apply
- ❌ RWD - gets stuck in snow off-road
- ❌ Not suitable for general transportation
- ❌ Dirty/worn condition
⚠️ Developer Notes
The Gifu may be replaced or changed in future Early Access updates. Current status: Available and functional for septic jobs. Exact future implementation uncertain.
💡 Best Use Cases
- Pumping septic tanks for income
- Not recommended for other purposes
🚗 Temporary Transport: Bachglotz
Real-World Basis
1965 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Coupe
Specifications
Transmission
3-Speed Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Availability
Only accessible when your Rivett is left for service at Fleetari's Repair Shop
Strengths
- ✅ Provides transportation when Rivett is unavailable
- ✅ No rental fee
- ✅ Automatic transmission (easier than manual)
Limitations
- ❌ Only accessible when Rivett at Fleetari's
- ❌ Heavy handling
- ❌ Not owned by player (must return)
- ❌ Gets stuck in snow like other RWD vehicles
💡 Best Use Cases
- Temporary transport during Rivett repairs
- Emergency vehicle if Sorbett unavailable
🌨️ Special Considerations: Environmental and Survival Factors
⚠️ Critical Survival Mechanics Affecting Vehicle Choice
Temperature Management
- Any vehicle without working heater + broken windshield = you get cold and can die
- Sleeping in unheated vehicle = hypothermia death
- Only sleep in running, heated vehicles
Snow and Terrain
- OFF-ROAD RULE: Only Kekmet can drive off-road
- All other vehicles immediately get stuck in deep snow
- Even Rivett with performance build gets stuck off paved roads
Cold Starting
- Block heater is ESSENTIAL for Sorbett
- Diesel vehicles (Kekmet, Gifu) have cold start challenges
- Battery drain is real - keep vehicles plugged in when possible
❌ Common Vehicle Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake #1: Forgetting Block Heater
Problem: Sorbett won't start, or oil damage accumulates
Solution: ALWAYS plug in when parked at home, ALWAYS unplug before driving
Mistake #2: Taking Wrong Vehicle Off-Road
Problem: Sorbett/Rivett stuck in snow, potentially hours from help
Solution: Use only Kekmet for any off-road or deep snow driving
Mistake #3: Rushing Rivett Build
Problem: Missing parts, incorrect assembly, permanent engine damage
Solution: Take time, read manuals, source quality parts, test thoroughly
Mistake #4: Over-Revving Rivett
Problem: No rev limiter = catastrophic engine failure
Solution: Install tachometer immediately, watch RPMs religiously, avoid money shifts
Mistake #5: Using Kekmet for Daily Errands
Problem: Extremely slow speed wastes real-world time
Solution: Use Sorbett for anything on paved roads in town
Mistake #6: Ignoring Vehicle Temperature Systems
Problem: Death from hypothermia, or overheating engines
Solution: Monitor heaters, let engines warm up, watch temperature gauges
❓ FAQ: Vehicle Comparison Questions
Q: Which vehicle should I focus on first?
A: Master the Sorbett completely before attempting Rivett build. Sorbett is free, reliable, and teaches you winter driving mechanics.
Q: Can I sell the Sorbett to fund my Rivett?
A: Not currently possible in EA. Sorbett is your permanent backup vehicle.
Q: Do I need the Kekmet if I have a Sorbett?
A: YES. Kekmet is REQUIRED to transport your Rivett shell after purchase, and it's the only vehicle for off-road access.
Q: Which transmission should I choose for the Rivett?
A: Depends on VIN and preference. 4-speed is stock/reliable, 5-speed better for highway, auto easier but less engaging.
Q: Is the Gifu required for progression?
A: No, septic jobs are optional. But it's a good income source if you need money.
Q: Can I drive multiple vehicles at once?
A: No, but you can park them strategically around the map for different purposes.
Q: What if my Sorbett breaks down?
A: In current EA, Sorbett is relatively reliable and has limited maintenance. Major failure unlikely but keep it plugged in.
📅 Version & Update Information
Current Version Reference: This guide is based on My Winter Car Early Access as of January 2026 (patch v.260102-01, January 2, 2026)
Known Version-Specific Status
- Jonnez ES Moped: NOT confirmed available despite multiple mentions - likely addition in future patch
- Gifu 405 T: Fully functional - Developer indicated possible replacement vehicle
- Rivett Parts Count: ~200 parts confirmed - May expand as EA develops
- Sorbett Maintenance: Minimal/basic only (hood doesn't open) - May become more complex in updates
Recommendation: If reading this guide after March 2026, please check Steam patch notes and the official My Winter Car Wiki for major mechanical changes.