car Archives - Rave & Review

Classic design and creative play with Viking Toys

I love toys that inspire my kids to use their imaginations. So many toys these days have scripted storylines and built in backstories. I personally love it when my kids create the story, define the characters, and it’s an added bonus when they also have to build or construct something while they play. Viking Toys … Read more

Build, learn, and play with Modarri cars

My son has been obsessed with cars since he first learned to grasp. He’s gone through stages with every scale toy or model car at this point, but there are certain cars that stand the test of time and get played with year after year. On that short list are Modarri cars, the DIY toy … Read more

10+ tips for car trips with kids

Do you have some long car trips coming up for the summer? Like most people, I will be spending quite a bit of time in my car over the next few weeks as we visit relatives, see the sights, and vacation with friends in the area, and I’m already planning ahead for the road trips with three young kiddos.

To me, road trips are a great way to bond and see the sights both near and far in ways you just can't on an airplane, and I love taking a good road trip {or three} each summer. But, because of limited space and cramped conditions, they can also be a delicate balance of having what you need with fun things to do, without packing your vehicle from top to bottom. The picture below shows a precarious suitcase tower that includes what 5 people need for a snowshoe, ski, sun, and swim trip and even with the bigger car, and all of this stuff really pushed the limits of what is manageable for a road trip.

Here are a few tips for awesome car trips with kids:

The Mitsubishi Outlander 2017 makes all of our dreams come true

A big thank you to Drive Shop USA for this test driving experience. All opinions are 100% ours.
Do you remember when I made the announcement that the Mitsubishi Outlander was the car for me? Back in 2016 I told you that if I were buying a new automobile, I would buy a Mitsubishi Outlander. It’s now a whole year later and it still rings true. In fact, I’m even more certain about it now than I was back then.

It started with the love of the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and then that love was eclipsed by the Mitsubishi Outlander. I admit I got sold on all the luxuries of the bigger CUV size, but also on the adaptability of the third row seating that is perfect for our on-the-go lifestyle.

Mix and match fun with custom Modarri cars {& discount code}

We discovered Modarri cars last year, and we quickly became obsessed. Basically, they are everything my son loves.
Fixing things: check
Racing: check
Designing stuff: check
Things with wheels: check So, what are Modarri cars? They are build-it-yourself custom cars that you can mix and match and customize to your heart’s content.

Each car even comes complete with a special hex tool so you can break down each car into its multiple parts: a chassis, hood and windshield, seat pan, seat, fenders and frame, and wheels with front and rear suspension. And, each of those parts can be used with other Modarri car models so you can build and rebuild as often as you like to create whatever car strikes your fancy.

Comfort and luxury in the road trip-ready Lexus RX 450h

By Tyler, Editor and Author

Were you looking for us a few weeks ago and expecting to find us holed up at home with our newborn while adjusting to life as a family of 5? If so, you were probably very disappointed to find our car in the driveway but no one at home. But really, how could you possibly sit at home when you have this beautiful Lexus RX 450h waiting for you to drive it? We took advantage of having a fancy new vehicle to explore in and instead spent our time off enjoying the islands around us, visiting family and friends near and far to show off the new babe, and using it as a great excuse to take some road trip adventures to corners of the Pacific Northwest we don’t often see while having some much-needed family time. When you think road trip mobile you probably don't first think of an SUV, but our week with the Lexus RX 450h has certainly changed my mind. Although it has all the comforts and luxury of a bigger car with hidden consoles, reclining rear seats, and ample leg room in both the front and rear seats, as a hybrid it still has amazing gas mileage on par with a sedan.

No time for car maintenance? #DropShopAndOil makes car care easy

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DropShopAndOil #CollectiveBias If you saw under the hood of my car, you would never believe it is 15+ years old. This isn’t just luck, I’ve got a secret weapon on my side when it comes to taking care of my car: Regular maintenance. This may sound too simple to be considered a secret, but you would be surprised how many people neglect regular maintenance and then wonder why their engine parts are failing after only a few years.

Not just a toy car: introducing the awesomely customizable Modarri cars

I never, ever thought I would utter the words “we’re a car family”. But, with a husband who hasn’t missed a car show since he was a tiny boy and a son who simply asks for “any cars I don’t have” for Christmas and birthdays, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Obviously, my daughter and I were the holdouts, content to let the boys play with their cars – some toys, some very real that take up my whole driveway – and smile.

But, then we found the world of Modarri cars, and I think we all got a little giddy at all the possibilities for this amazing new take on the toy car. Part build-it-yourself custom car model, part art to be displayed and enjoyed after building, and still 100% toy that can be played and raced with, the Modarri car line takes everything you thought about boring toy cars and flips it on its head. Although ours came assembled and ready for play, each Modarri model includes multiple different parts: a chassis, hood and windshield, seat pan, seat, fenders and frame, wheels with front and rear suspensions as well as a hex tool for building and rebuilding to your heart’s desire and traffic cones to contain the shenanigans.

2014 KIA Forte test drive

by Tyler, editor and reviewer

As much as I love SUVs, I’m really a car guy. I drive around a big and clunky work truck all day, so there’s nothing I love better than being able to hop in a car and zip around town when I get home. It’s so much more engaging and effortless, not to mention much easier to find parking.

That being said, I immediately took to the 2014 KIA Forte as soon as it arrived for our test drive. Since these days we travel with a full crew 4 door sedans are very much a part of our world and I’ve been curious about this compact sedan for a while. The one concern I did have beforehand was size, but I was pleasantly surprised by how big inside the Forte is, since in my mind the Forte might have been a bit small for us.

Our week as the cool kids {KIA Soul review}

by Tyler, editor and reviewer Like everyone under the age of 20, my daughter loves the KIA Soul. The dancing hamsters, the toasters, the “you can go with this or you can go with that” commercials, and most of all, the car itself. Have no idea what I’m talking about? This YouTube video should help … Read more