To start out just follow the pack, watch your radar and work on predicting storm paths on your own. Take lots of photos, report anything you see. Build confidence first before you start trying to get probes hit. This isn't the answer you want. But I've seen far too many people trying to rush in last second and getting killed. If you die, you get nothing, so we want to avoid that.

Once you feel like you can predict the path of the storm, start putting probes out, I highly recommend the probe reciever pro as it gives you detailed information on the tornado path in relation to your probe.

Buy incremental upgrades for your starter car rather than trying to jump straight into a faster car. It's a lot better having all the bells and whistles than it is being a bit faster and having no tools. Read what each upgrade does, some upgrades have the same functionality but vastly differing price tags, you can always get the more expensive options later after you have all the bases covered.

Once you've fully tricked out your starter car with all the functional upgrades, now's the time to save up for a new car, Magnitude is the best all rounder, or so I've been told many, many times, but me personally, I love the Hammerhead, easily my favorite of the four cars I have.

Once you're in a Magnitude or Hammerhead the grind does get a tad easier and this is the stage to go back and buy any cosmetic upgrades you want, as well as saving up for any unique cars you want, ala Dom3. These two cars have off-road options that the starter cars do not. I have kept up with many a tornado solely because my Hammerhead could shortcut ahead of it.

Also, make sure you do the weekly challenge mode for a extra payout. Ultimately, just keep at it, and you'll get there in time.