|
|
Post by jedimom3 on Sept 14, 2024 10:28:07 GMT -5
3 weeks from today, should either be finishing up our drive we started Friday night, or starting out from Tennessee. Either way, hopefully will be checking in to BWV later in the day for our Fall break trip. Will be watching the tropics as always....
This will be the first time since summer, 2023, that we all go: DH, me, DD 20, and DS 17. I took the kids at spring break.Kids and I still don't have tickets yet. I want 3 days of PH, DH says 2 is enough....the 4 of us have very different styles of park touring, so we'll see how this goes.....
The Sunday morning that we get there, kids and I are going to Universal .Check into Royal Pacific, get our room keys/express passes (even if the room isn't ready, you get a room key to start express. ) Get DS's AP, and our HHN tickets. Do some IoA rides, Hoping room will be ready to freshen up before HHN.
We have express for HHN, but I"d still like to, to get in the stay/scream holding pens, and hopefully do a couple houses regular standby, then express later. SO hoping for good weather/no rain for fun scare zones.
Monday night, we're back at BWV. DH is doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour Monday. He's so excited. I hope to do it one day, kids didn't want to, so he's doing it while we're at Universal.
A wrench DH threw in....he asked the kids if they wanted to do Typhoon Lagoon....not him, just kids or kids and me.....uh, no thank you. I'm not a super water park fan. Don't dislike, but don't love. But anyway, now kids are excited about that. We just need to pick a day.
I have capitulated and decided to try the new MPLL/lightning lanes. I hope to do that on our HS day. Start w 3 rides at HS, keep trying for more there, and eventually finish the evening at Epcot, and hopefully get LLs for Soarin and Mission Space (for kids, Mission Space orange is the one Disney ride I haven't ridden and don't plan to, I've done green, and it's fine.) and will probably buy the GotG ILL.
If anyone has ANY tips on using LL at HS , or MK, because we might do that too, please share strategies! I've been watching some vloggers.
I've been looking forward to this weekend to get some trip prep done. Had a very stressful day at work this week, had to give a presentation, which I hate anyway (speaking in front of people, ) and thought it was for 30, but turned out it was for the whole place, over 200 people...at least it was virtual, but that was NOT what I planned for.....
DS has to complete some college applications very soon too. Many TN schools waive the application fee in Sept, so want him to get those submitted asap. He's halfway done the one for UT Knoxville, where he thinks he wants to go, but need to get it finished.
We also in the midst of considering buying a new car....dumping the minivan.
If anyone has any opinions on a Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V vs Subaru Outback, please share!!
Love reading all the trip reports on the site. SO looking forward to escaping to our happy place!~
|
|
|
|
Post by Adelard of Bath on Sept 14, 2024 12:55:12 GMT -5
We test drove several 2020-2022 Outbacks, nice cars. We were disappointed on how loud they were inside. By which I mean growly engine noise.
We could definitely tell the difference when stepping up through trim packages so don't disregard that. My advice would be to buy a certified used one at the dealer, upgraded package, as long as they include some kind of lifetime powertrain thing because that transmission WILL go out on you. IMO. 10 years, 12 years. Not everyone keeps cars that long, I guess.
Don't disregard Mazda CX-5, super nice cars, the build quality is way higher actually than RAV4 and CRV, at least that's what we felt. Getting closer to that Lexus feeling. You owe it to yourself to drive them, they are in the bracket of cars you are looking at.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hi from RI on Sept 14, 2024 16:38:20 GMT -5
I think you cannot go wrong with Toyota or Honda...we have them and still do last forever....
|
|
|
|
Post by jedimom3 on Sept 15, 2024 10:38:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the car recommendations. We've had several Hondas (currently have the Odyssey and Ridgeline, previously had a great Civic and Accord, also had the Toyota minivan ) and been happy with them. Agree, they are very good!! Hadn't thought about Mazda.
I have never had an SUV type car though, so this style is a bit different for me. I had always thought I wanted a Subaru, but after driving it, not so sure.....
Need to get my tickets today, that's my goal!! and order new bathing suits....spent a day trying on clothes/bathing suits.....and nope. none of them fit. That sure wasn't good for the ego
|
|
|
|
Post by Hi from RI on Sept 15, 2024 11:43:50 GMT -5
Ugh trying bathing suits on is not a favorite thing to do!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Adelard of Bath on Sept 15, 2024 14:33:22 GMT -5
I have never had an SUV type car though, so this style is a bit different for me. I had always thought I wanted a Subaru, but after driving it, not so sure..... Yeah every car feels a little different, that's for sure. I prefer cute lil cars like my tiny 91 Civic but that's just me. I didn't actually drive a Rav4 or CRV (modern ones, anyways) but I have driven a Toyota Highlander and to me, it's this big thing and I don't feel connected to the road. The Mazdas we did drive had more of a feeling like they were built for a guy like me, who likes to drive. They don't use it anymore, but their old motto of "zoom zoom" was always a guiding principle. The engines are a little weak, though, at least in the CX-5. They are fine, though. But speaking of that, you mention you drove a Subaru and it didn't do it for you. I felt like that, too. But MAYBE it had something to do with this: Test driving a turbo model was completely different thing. The guy put us in it just for fun (more money than we wanted to spend, but I wanted to see if it was worth it) and wife had me drive. I got on a road and pushed the pedal on the right...and half a moment later, I said "holy sh--" and then I started laughing. I expected the same car but just a little faster, but this was not the same car. So if you still think you liked it, you could try one of the higher-end models with a turbo, just to see if you like it better. |
|
|
|
Post by swat08 on Sept 16, 2024 7:28:50 GMT -5
I have a 2019 Rav4 that I bought in June 2020, my commute to work is ~70 miles round trip - mostly highway. Never regretted my purchase, I've been really happy with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by helenabear on Sept 16, 2024 7:55:13 GMT -5
I'll say after years of being a Honda person, they are not as reliable as they once were. I'd personally do the Rav4. I swapped to Mini in 2016 myself (DH is still on a Honda) but other Honda family cars have had more issues over the years. Unlike my old Civics that we drove until it died. My dad had a major fuel pump issue on his CR-V and my friend with her just outside of warranty had to have hers towed for something electrical this weekend. She hasn't been told what the Diagnostics were since it happened late on saturday. Likely the alternator, but definitely something electrical
|
|
|
|
Post by brp on Sept 16, 2024 8:34:22 GMT -5
I'll say after years of being a Honda person, they are not as reliable as they once were. Mrs. brp has had a different experience. She's on her third Honda now (two Civic Hybrids and now an Accord Hybrid). As she drove close to 30K/year when working, she got a new car at about 125K or so. They still worked (and she got good value), but didn't want to wait for battery issues with the hybrid. And never faced them.
The Accord happened right before retirement and has low mile. Now maybe 5-6K/year. This may be the last car she needs 
She definitely stands by Hondas.
Cheers.
|
|
|
|
Post by helenabear on Sept 16, 2024 9:17:22 GMT -5
I'll say after years of being a Honda person, they are not as reliable as they once were. Mrs. brp has had a different experience. She's on her third Honda now (two Civic Hybrids and now an Accord Hybrid). As she drove close to 30K/year when working, she got a new car at about 125K or so. They still worked (and she got good value), but didn't want to wait for battery issues with the hybrid. And never faced them. The Accord happened right before retirement and has low mile. Now maybe 5-6K/year. This may be the last car she needs Cheers. We had been faithful Honda people (outside of my Mini) since 1999. The 2018 Civic is doing fine as was our 2004 Civic SI. My 2008 CR-V had minor electrical issues but traded it in for my Mini without issue. The others are also CR-Vs and I wonder if that's the issue. I know Odysseys who had transmission issues, but felt that was more of an isolated thing. It has been reported in the car world that Honda reliability for newer has been slipping. I thought no way, but then saw it more and more personally. I was scared to swap to my Mini in 2016 after being a Honda only person for ages. Turns out that brand is more reliable than people think. Anyway given I've known too many recently bought CR-Vs with big issues, I'd definitely look at RAV4 more. |
|
|
|
Post by johnb on Sept 16, 2024 9:49:21 GMT -5
We have a 2011 RAV4 with about 140K miles on it. It runs well and we've had no major issues.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adelard of Bath on Sept 16, 2024 16:13:57 GMT -5
It has been reported in the car world that Honda reliability for newer has been slipping. I've read this also with Toyota. It's a shame, as I've had Toyotas and Hondas from the 90s that you could weld the hood shut. I guess my definition of "reliable" is more along the lines of "This thing is 25 years old and I still drive it all the time and it works great, only small repairs on things like brakes and battery." I had a buddy that was all Ford, all the time, he swore by 12-15 year old Ford Explorer he had. "Most reliable car I've ever had!" I looked up from my coffee cup and said "I thought you replaced the engine? When it was only a few years old?" "But Ford paid for that." "...but you replaced the engine?" Not my definition of reliable. Before I take heat for being a Ford hater, I have one in the driveway. |
|
|
|
Post by disneyspaz on Sept 16, 2024 16:27:27 GMT -5
We have 3 Toyota's, a 2010 Highlander, a 2016 RAV4 XLE and a 2024 RAV4 XLE. Our son has gone through 2 Corrolla's and has a 2018 RAV4 now. We love them all! The Corrolla's were even good but too small. I will say we went with the XLE and don't regret moving up in trim package. As for Mazda's we had an MPV in 2004 that had to have a full engine replacement at just under 6 yrs and less than 80k miles. That is after every coil, I think that's what it was, had been replaced and that was $300-$500 per coil. After that you couldn't gift me a Mazda.
|
|
|
|
Post by tomandrobin on Sept 17, 2024 8:06:30 GMT -5
I was always buy a buy "American" car guy growing up and into my 40's. But time after time, each vehicle failed to make to 100k miles before repairs and breakdowns started occurring. around 40, I bought a Nissan Murano and have never looked back on buying American made car again. Since then, I have owned a second Murano, a Lexus and my current car is a Genesis GV80. All of the foreign vehicles made it past 100k with no issues. My last two vehicles were totaled in car accidents, which seemed to be the only thing to slow them down. Robin made the switch with her last vehicle from a Buick Enclave to a Toyota Highlander. She loved the Buick, but within the first year the truck was burning a quart of oil a month. The dealership told her that it was normal and for her to just stop every month and they would top her off for free. I was like WTF.....We ditched the car super fast before it became a bigger problem. Robin loves her Toyota Highlander. Its been 6 years and the SUV has been a problem free, gem to drive, champ!
I did buy a Jeep Sahara when we had the beach house. I owned it for 5 years and had zero issues with it. Now, in 5 years it only had 38k miles.....so I am not sure how it would stand the test of time going forward. The Jeep wasn't luxury like my Lexus or Genesis, but man did I like to drive it!
|
|
|
|
Post by helenabear on Sept 17, 2024 8:25:26 GMT -5
I was always buy a buy "American" car guy growing up and into my 40's. But time after time, each vehicle failed to make to 100k miles before repairs and breakdowns started occurring. around 40, I bought a Nissan Murano and have never looked back on buying American made car again. Since then, I have owned a second Murano, a Lexus and my current car is a Genesis GV80. All of the foreign vehicles made it past 100k with no issues. My last two vehicles were totaled in car accidents, which seemed to be the only thing to slow them down. Robin made the switch with her last vehicle from a Buick Enclave to a Toyota Highlander. She loved the Buick, but within the first year the truck was burning a quart of oil a month. The dealership told her that it was normal and for her to just stop every month and they would top her off for free. I was like WTF.....We ditched the car super fast before it became a bigger problem. Robin loves her Toyota Highlander. Its been 6 years and the SUV has been a problem free, gem to drive, champ! I did buy a Jeep Sahara when we had the beach house. I owned it for 5 years and had zero issues with it. Now, in 5 years it only had 38k miles.....so I am not sure how it would stand the test of time going forward. The Jeep wasn't luxury like my Lexus or Genesis, but man did I like to drive it! That sounds suspiciously like us and honestly the area I lived in as a whole. It was all "American" made. Until the Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio opened up. As people started making the commute (it was about 1 hr drive from us then - about 45 mins from where I live now) Hondas were everywhere. Probably why I was loyal to them for so long. I would still buy a Honda to be fair even after my posts above, but I might be pickier with some than before. I trust kinks they have will be worked out more though. Same with most other similar brands. I do love my Mini though - I'd be hard pressed to give that brand up, but they definitely are not for everyone. |
|
