Tbh I totally agree with the point about getting ur tires sorted first—3/32 is pretty sketchy for Denver weather! For the storage side of things, if you want to save money for those tires, check out the Crucial X6. It’s usually way cheaper than the T7 or X8 because it’s not as fast, but honestly, for just archiving dashcam footage, you really don't need top-tier speeds anyway. I've been using a 2TB one for a couple of years now to offload video stuff and it's been solid. Another budget hack I’ve learned over time is just grabbing a cheap internal NVMe like the Teamgroup MP34 and putting it in a separate USB-C enclosure. It’s basically a DIY external SSD and usually ends up being the cheapest way to get 2TB of reliable storage. I’ve found that those "budget" brands actually run a bit cooler too, which is a plus when things get hot in the summer. Just make sure you get a decent enclosure and it’ll last forever. It’s a great way to keep ur costs way under $200 so you can put the rest toward the car maintenance!

I've been archiving data since the days of external firewire drives that weighed like five pounds, so I definitely get the struggle. Honestly tho, hearing about the Denver weather and your Outback reminds me of this old 2005 Forester I used to have. Man, that car was a tank in the snow until the head gasket finally gave up the ghost on I-70 near Idaho Springs. I actually spent more time fixing that thing than I did actually driving it toward the end, but I still miss it sometimes... just something about those older Subies that makes you sentimental. Anyway, back to your storage problem. Before I suggest something, are you planning on keeping this SSD plugged into the car's USB port all the time for direct recording, or are you just using it to offload clips once a week at home? Also, how often are you actually gonna sit down and sort through the footage versus just letting it sit there?

Hey there! I totally get the dashcam footage overload – been there! Keyed car AND bald tires? Ouch, man. I've tried many external SSDs over the years, and for your needs, I'd strongly recommend the Samsung T7 Shield 1TB.

It's ruggedized, which is great for Denver's weather swings. I picked one up for around $90 on Amazon a few months back. The transfer speeds are excellent, and it's super reliable. I've had it bouncing around in my truck (worse than your Outback, trust me!) in the Texas heat and it hasn't skipped a beat.

I actually used it initially to store some GoPro footage after a track day. Saved me a fortune compared to cloud storage! As for those tires... I feel you on the budget crunch! Check out Discount Tire Direct; sometimes they have rebates on Falken tires that can save you a few bucks without totally sacrificing safety. Let me know if you want to chat more about the SSD or tire options!

Hey! Keyed car AND almost-slick tires in Denver? That's rough! I hear you on the dashcam footage piling up. Instead of an external SSD, have you considered upgrading the *internal* SD card in your dashcam?

I recently swapped out the 64GB in my old dashcam for a high-endurance 256GB card – cost me about $35 on Amazon (SanDisk High Endurance). Suddenly, I'm getting way more recording time before it loops. Plus, one less thing cluttering up my car.

Just make sure your dashcam supports the larger capacity. And definitely get a high-endurance card; regular ones aren't designed for constant writing and rewriting. Might be a cheap & cheerful solution to hold you over until you get those tires sorted! What model dashcam do you have? Maybe we can check its compatibility!

Ouch, keyed car AND almost bald tires in Denver? I feel your pain! Before dumping money into a huge SSD, have you considered just upgrading the SD card in the dashcam itself? A high-endurance 256GB card from SanDisk or Samsung is under $30 these days and should give you a month or so before overwriting. Unfortunately, those external SSDs can be finicky in extreme temps. I've had issues with them failing after only a year or two in the car. Just a thought to buy you some time while you save up for those tires! I'm going with Firestone Indy 500s next. Let me know if you want to chat more!

Hey, man, that keyed car and those tires… seriously bad luck! Everyone's got some good points already, but I wanted to chime in with a slightly different take, focusing on safety. While bigger storage is great, maybe think about prioritizing getting those tires replaced *before* dumping a ton into an SSD? Just my two cents.

I know, I know, everyone's got limited funds. But honestly, 3/32" in Denver? That's an accident waiting to happen, especially with unpredictable weather. I actually had a similar situation a few years back with my old Civic. I was putting off new tires, and hydroplaned in a light rain. Luckily, just ended up on the shoulder, but it scared me straight.

For tires, I'd seriously look at something like the Michelin CrossClimate2. They're all-season, perform great in the snow (which you'll get in Denver), and are supposedly pretty long-lasting. I've heard good things, though I haven't personally used them yet. A set for your Outback will probably run you around $800 - $1000 installed, depending on where you go. I'm budgeting for tires next month, and hoping to find a sale locally. It's a big chunk of change, but way cheaper than a deductible and potential injuries from an accident.

Regarding the SSD, I agree with others that cloud storage might be an option. But, between getting tires AND a SSD maybe cloud storage is a good option to start. I haven't really considered SSDs for dashcam footage myself (just upgraded my SD card), but I hope the tire advice at least helps a little! Let me know if you have any questions, maybe we can find some tire deals together! I'm also in Denver, so can share some local shop recommendations.

Dude, keyed car *and* sketchy tires in Denver? That's a trifecta of bad luck! While everyone's suggesting SSDs, let's talk *reliability*. I've noticed Samsung's T7 Shield (around $110 for 1TB) consistently tops 'ruggedness' tests. They're claiming IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, plus decent shock protection. For straight storage, Crucial X8 (around $80 for 1TB) is a solid budget pick. I personally use a SanDisk Extreme Pro, but it's pricier. Also, consider those tires! I just snagged some Falken Wildpeak A/T Trails from Discount Tire for around $800 installed... HUGE improvement over my old ones. Lemme know if you want tire recommendations, too!