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  • ax6761ax6761@freeradical.zone
    Mar 7, 2026, 7:46 PM

    Need to replace my (gas powered) car with (gas- or gas-battery-powered; no plug-in due to the issue of renting) with non-skinny 15-17 in tire; with higher mile/gallon than ~21 (around town).

    Going as expected here ...
    - very few of the sedate, rather reliable kind: Toyota Corolla, RAV4 Hybrid; Hyundai Elantra; Mazda 6;
    - none for the years Consumer Reports had mentioned in its 2024 reliability report;
    - 1 dealer was not satisfied with offer above the cost-from-a-dealer via KBB|Edmunds.
    …​

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Replies

  • ax6761ax6761@freeradical.zone
    Mar 7, 2026, 7:51 PM

    … Another wrinkle is I know of mechanics|repair shops, …
    - but not trustworthy enough …
    -- not to suggest unwanted repairs;
    -- not overcharge without arguing;
    - but not know of one to quote replacement part choices with cost & warranty instead of using one without telling the specifics.

    So am avoiding buying from people (non-dealership). That is not to say a dealership here is better than the general impression (of it being intent on extracting money as much as possible from you, see above).

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  • ax6761ax6761@freeradical.zone
    Mar 7, 2026, 8:09 PM

    ... I am positively impressed with rather new (gas powered; digital dashboard) Kia Soul rental due to its inner spaciousness, how it drives. Did not find its mention in previously mentioned 2024 CR listing (did find Kia Sportage below Toyota, Honda, & perhaps Mazda too).

    Due to being rather new, even a Jeep (never drove; was listed as unreliable) could be just as impressive🤷 I know. Or, speaks about rental company maintaining its vehicles.

    ...

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  • ax6761ax6761@freeradical.zone
    Mar 7, 2026, 8:25 PM

    ... Interior -- plastic, center console, & such -- looked generally very similar to 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD that I test-drove around town.

    RAV4 had terribly busy (mostly analog) dashboard; cannot say if it had a tachometer. Perhaps it was on left not marked with numbers but with battery charge & driving modes (because the needle moved per idle, acceleration, & ~steady states)?

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  • Ceceliahelianthropy@tech.lgbt
    Mar 10, 2026, 8:01 AM

    @ax6761 As a long term renter with a plug-in vehicle, I can share my strategies if you’re interested (and your issue is not due to a parking situation).

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