That's odd. I recently test drove the new B8 A4 and was rather impressed when I sat in the rear for a few minutes during the test drive.

 

I got to drive both the 1G and 2G TSX's as loaners and I definitely agree that the 1G's steering feel is better. It's hydraulic powersteering in the 1G vs. electronic in the 2G. Both cars feel tight, but the 1G gives better feedback through the wheel allowing you to feel more of the road and the physics of cornering. It was sorta like when cornering fast you didn't get accurate resistance from the steering wheel allowing you to asses your grip on the road. Suspension however felt nice and firm and the brakes were good enough for stock with awesome pedal feel. The steering alone wouldn't stop me from getting a 2G TSX. It was a pretty fun ride and I could only imagine how much better the 280hp V6 will be. I just hope the V6 still handles good with the added weight and increased front weight distribution.

 

Well, unless they change something, prepare to be disappointed.

The execution of the EPS does seem better in the SH-AWD TL I tested the last time my car was in for service.

 

strange, indeed, to include the G.

 

I like the CC, dang.

Honda, please give SH-AWD to the TSX too as an option.

I'm thinking that the G37 sedan could beat the TL-SH-AWD in a comparison test too.

 

The only reason I can think of is that Infiniti doesn't make a low-end 4-cyl version.

 

Audi: Rear Seat, Controls, Push-button start

Translation: We're fussy old farts that don't understand technology unless it's a blender.

 

Merged...

 

Welcome back buddy!

 

Yeah, I've heard it's better executed in the TL, which is why I thought maybe they'd tweak it for the TSX. But maybe not.

I guess I can hope that it's not bad enough to turn me away buying one.

 

Thanks, bud!

 

IMO the sound system wasn't great.

 

Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey - 2009

Looks like Infiniti and Acura at the top of all luxury brands.

 

meh... I take these surveys with a grain of salt. Only a limited number of responses and usually people with problems are more vocal then those who are not. We were subscribers/members of CR for years and we never once filled out and submitted those surveys.... and I'm sure we weren't the only one. Nice info though...

 

Sorta like those idiots on car forums...

 

MINI got

 

My sister-in-law's Cooper S JCW has been the most unreliable car we've ever had in our extended family, including her family and mine.... and unfortunately one of the most fun cars. and wow @ Mitsubishi, sadly there isn't a single model in their lineup that I'm really interested in outside of the Evo X.

3 window motors/regulators, a new supercharger, two other non-regular visits and it was in the shop again recently for something I can't remember, but it was long enough that they needed to get a loaner car. Thank God its still under warranty...

I agree that these need to be taken with a grain of salt though. It's difficult to gauge reliability, there's just way too much gray area. You would need to survey almost every single owner in almost every location, with stock cars only and you'd need to track maintenance logs.

 

Exactly. Not many who have good experience will want to fill out all those questions.

Even i tempted to fill them out but then i saw a bird fly by and lost interest.

 

yay Mazda is alright!

 

Consumer Reports: Chrysler Ranks Dead Last; Scion 1st

When it comes to predicted reliability -- coming after years of gab from Detroit about how its cars don't break down anymore -- six American brands rank dead last in Consumer Reports' latest predictions on automotive reliability being released right now. At the other extreme, the best brand is Toyota's Scion.

The worst is Chrysler and its least-reliable model is the Town & Country minivan, pictured above. A third of Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge models are considered much worse than average including the new Dodge Journey crossover. Only one Chrysler product is recommended by the magazine, the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup in the four-wheel-drive version. Last year, none got the nod.

And the best: The top seven are all Japanese, led by Toyota's Scion, with the eighth a South Korean, Hyundai. Toyota and Honda dominate the reliability charts. Three of the top five models are made by Toyota, including the Lexus ES, Toyota Venza, and Toyota Yaris hatchback. Number one is the Honda Insight, pictured above right.

In the press release, Consumer Reports touts the reliability of Fords, saying it is the only Detroit maker with "world-class reliability," yet the top ranking Ford brand is Mercury at 10th, followed by Ford at 16th and Lincoln at 20th. The report lauds the Ford Flex crossover, but rips on all-wheel-drive Lincoln clones of Ford cars, the MKS, MKX and MKZ. "They are now consistently making cars with world-class reliability," said Rik Paul, automotive editor of the magazine. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, both built on the same platform, beat out the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in reliability for the second year in a row.

There are vast differences between models. A new Honda Insight is 27 times less likely to have a problem than the biggest dog in the pack, the Volkswagen Touareg, Consumer Reports says.

Here's the brand ranking, best to worst:

1. Scion

2. Honda

3. Toyota

4. Infiniti

5. Acura

6. Mitsubishi

7. Lexus

8. Hyundai

9. Porsche

10. Mercury

11. Saab

12.Subaru

13. Suzuki

14. Kia

15. Mazda

16. Ford

17. Nissan

18. Volvo

19. Buick

20. Lincoln

21. Volkswagen

22. Pontiac

23. Mercedes-Benz

24. Audi

25. Chevrolet

26. BMW

27. Mini

28. GMC

29. Saturn

30. Jeep

31. Dodge

32. Cadillac

33. Chrysler

 

Nice work, Ford!

 

Whatever, BMW got 26th!!! PWND!!!

 

Okay Mr. BMW owner.

To your point, it seems then a lot of BMW owners had bad experiences, and considering how many of them are rabid badge whoring fans, it would take a lot for them to respond... not so?

 

Fixed.

 

Considering how many BMWs are sold, then yea there are bound to have people voicing their bad experiences. The fuel pump issues sure didnt help anything.

As much as I love European brands, I wont sit here and argue they are more reliable than the Japanese. Look at the chart though and you will see many of those brands are closer to the reliable side than anything. Cars are improving overall.

What i dont get is how the Lexus GS is on the list for least reliable.

 

Bad floormats?

 

Im with Jr. I take these surveys with a grain of salt. I think the majority of those that fill them out are the ones that had a negative experience Just like forums where you see problem areas

 

I am on the panel and fill out my forms whether or not I have a bad experience, but I agree that people with negative experiences are likelier to respond.

As a CTS owner.....OUCH at the rating. I've had no significant problems with mine in the seven months and 7000 miles I've owned it, just some clicking in slow, full-lock turns that GM has no solution for.

 

I'm not too sure I trust conusmer reports when it comes to automotive stuff...reallt mitsubishi is more reliable than lexus reliable??? Nissan is 17th place...

 

How about Saab jumping 12 spots despite not really doing anything different?

Kinda makes this year's results meaningless.

 

where did the Lexus IS fall in????

 

for Infiniti

 

It's fine. Don't worry.

 

I don't think it is that hard to get on the survey list. I'm a subscriber and purchased a new car, bingo, I get the questions every year. I fill it out, send it in and get another next year.

The results may not be accurate but it's pretty much the most unbiased and largest available. In some instances they are concerned about things I'm not. I think it can be used to alert you to possible areas of concern.

 

So Subaru fell, and the worst model (WRX) only has data for one model year? I call

But good to see the only American brand in the top 15 is Mercury. The Ford brand with 3 car models. And Ford at 16.

 

CR = liars.

Not to say that this list is correct or incorrect, but I will never, ever take anything CR or CU says with anything but a huge rock pile of salt.

 

This is still the perception of many people...

If Japanese cars at the top of the list for reliability and domestic/Euros are at the bottom, then the study is credible

^anything other than that =

people also call bs on JD Power but they said Suzuki was one of the most unreliable brands. Who do you believe?

 

535i?? That just hit the market about a year ago. With the E60 being one of my fave sport sedans, I'd better scope out the BMW forums to see what's up with that N54 motor....seeing as there's no mention of the 550i nor the 528i.

 

I prefer the ratings/reports on True Delta.

 

I agree. CR may be focused on some areas that some of us don't feel to be of any real concern, but overall it can be a useful as a basic guideline to inform of particular brand reliability. Regardless, I still think most informed and careful consumers gather information from more than one source.


Terry