Anyone living close to WDW need some help...

[espana94]

To all my Budget board pals who live close to the World, I could use some help with a car repair issue...

DD20 is down at WDW on the college program. She has been down there since May. She has her car with her and it is acting up. It started with not wanting to start but finally catching and then yesterday, the car wouldn't start at all. One of her roommates jumped the battery and she went Autozone and got a new battery installed; but, the car is still acting up. So...we need to have it looked at.

I will be honest, I have no idea where to send her to have the car looked at. DD is fairly car challenged in terms of up keep and maintenance. I am afraid if she walks in to a garage as a nervous or frazzled young woman with out-of-state plates on her car, she will get hosed.

Can anyone who is local to Lake Buena Vista or Kissimmee give me a recomendation for a reputable garage or auto mechanic? (Since she is a student, making minimum wage at the World, she doesn't have a ton of extra cash for auto repairs. I would prefer that she not get handed a laundry list of things that "should" be taken care of on the car.)

TIA, Espana

 

[eeyorethegreat]

We had major vehicle trouble when we were at WDW a couple trips ago. We endd up having it taken to the Car Care Center on property. I am not from the area but a CM friend of mine mentioned that she could get a discount on repairs at the Car Care Center. Not sure if that is somethng your DD wants to look into...

 

[mousehouselover]

We're farther out than you were requesting but I have a good mechanic in St Cloud. He's worked on my car several times and we've always been happy with the work and the charges. PM me for the info is you need it.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Have her go to the Car Care Center in front of MK. They do have a CM discount. I don't remember exactly how much it was, but I want to say it was maybe 10% or 20%. I'm not sure how their prices compare to other places, but I felt like I was taken care of --- not taken advantage of. I had some issues with my car while down there and they were very friendly and helpful. My car got fixed quickly which was great. If it would make you feel any better, see if she has a male friend (maybe a friend from work or even a friend's boyfriend) that knows a little more about cars to go with her to drop it off for the estimate. Good luck to her! Hope she gets it worked out!

 

[SandrA9810]

The guys at the Car Care center are pretty good. They don't hassle any one, tell you need extra stuff to get more money, that kind of non sense.

They'll tell you straight forward what's wrong, and what it's going to cost. It is a GoodYear service center, approved by AAA, and there is a 10% cast member discount on the total (not just parts or labor, but both). Although I think you can get a 20% discount with the premium AAA membership, check your AAA documents.

Sounds like a starter issue, but have them check the alternator too. If it's a starter, I think it's about $500 for a replacement. An alternator can cost about $300-$400. Just don't hold me to it.

 

[DisnyMama]

If it's a AAA aproved auto repair facility and they "participate" (some do and some don't, you have to check) in the "Show Your Card and Save Program" then you can save 10% up to $50.00 off your repair bill. Also, repairs are guaranteed for 1 year or up to 12,000 miles and the technicians are certified. All AAA members can take advantage of these services-Classic-Plus and Premier cardholders.

 

[seashoreCM]

When the key is turned, does the starter runrunrun but the engine does not catch, or does the starter just growl ---- growl ---- growl?

In the former case she did not need a new battery.

 

[Belle5]

We are not locals, but had an EXCELLENT experience at Car Care...the charges were also very reasonable.

 

[MAGGIED]

When my daughter was there on the College program last fall she had some auto problems also... the Car Care center by the Magic Kingdom did a great job and was not crazy expensive... the fixed it well enough for her to drive it all the way back to NY

 

[hearts8701]

i drive to disney world from chicago and i always get my oil changed before we head home can i get my oil changed at car care?

 

[Traveliz]

My daughter has been down there four years now and started out on the college program. I would recommend either the Car Care Center or (crazy enough) the Walmart over by Vista Way. They just really seem to take care of her there. She started out getting her oil changes there and when she has had a problem small or a little bigger they have been so helpful and good to her.

Liz

 

[kim929]

when I was WDW on vacation a few years ago I had car trouble.. Took it to the car care center they fixed the problem quickly and was not charged an arm and a leg.

 

[PartyOf5]

My son has a Chevy Colorodo and when he was on the College Program last year, he needed some work and we found a reputable Chevy place fairly close to his apartment. They seemed honest and didn't charge him, well us!, an arm and a leg. If your daughter has a Chevy and would like the name of that place just PM me and I'll see if I can find it.

However, it sounds like the Car Care Center might be your best option. Good luck!

 

[SandrA9810]

i drive to disney world from chicago and i always get my oil changed before we head home can i get my oil changed at car care?

Yep, keep an eye out in the paper for any goodyear coupons. I was usually able to get an oil change for $20, but the usual price (as of last year) was around $27 for a basic.

If you're driving from Chicago, you might want to look into doing synthetic oil, which will boost your mileage to every 5,000 miles. And most the time, long drives like that is best for the oil, so you don't want to change it too often.
Pay attention to the mileage intervals written in your owner's manual. Even on the old 98 ford contour, it still states an oil change for every 5,000 miles, and it's boost to like 7,500 when using a synthetic (but check with a mechanic for your car).

 

[hearts8701]

thanks SandrA9810 i have a 2012 hyundai sonata by the time i get to disney i will be needing my oil changed we stay 3 weeks so time is not an issue i usually get my oil changed off property just thought the car care would be easier for me