Consumer Reports: Annual Results News
03-07-2005, 01:14 AM
#121
Race Director
Subaru at Top in Quality Survey
Sat Mar 5, 7:55 AM ET
Add to My Yahoo! Top Stories - Los Angeles Times
By John O'Dell Times Staff Writer
Subaru, the Japanese automaker known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles, won the top spot for the highest-quality brand among new cars in Consumer Reports' annual automotive issue.
• Latimes.com home page
• Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times
The magazine's annual survey of product quality and performance, which hits newsstands Tuesday but has already gone to subscribers, ranks Japanese and South Korean automakers tops for quality. U.S. brands are second but fall below the industry average, and Europeans rank a distant third.
Subaru jumped 16 places to become the most reliable automotive brand overall for 2004 models. It's the first time Subaru finished in the top spot in the 26 years Consumer Reports has conducted the survey.
Subaru owners reported eight problems per 100 cars and SUVs sold — an 8% problem rate. Honda was the second-highest-rated brand at 9%, and Toyota took third at 10%. Lexus, last year's leader, fell to fourth with an 11% rate.
In another surprise, the magazine found South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co.'s mid-size Sonata sedan to be the most reliable car in the U.S. last year, with just two problems reported for every 100 cars sold.
"That's quite dramatic and shows that Hyundai has really made a big effort," said David Champion, Consumer Reports' auto testing director. "It used to be a joke to have Hyundai and reliability in the same sentence."
Last year's reliability champ was Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus GS sedan.
"With Subaru and Hyundai doing so well, we have two newcomers pushing the others to do even better," Champion said.
The magazine's quality ratings are based on surveys from 810,000 vehicle owners. Subscribers were asked to report problems in 17 areas, such as engine or bodywork troubles, for vehicles up to 8 years old.
As for the U.S. automakers, they keep drawing closer to their Asian rivals but never quite catch up. The best U.S. brands — Ford, which ranked ninth, and Pontiac, 10th — had 15 problems per 100 vehicles for 2004 models, more than twice Subaru's rate. Audi was the best from Europe, with a 12% problem rate.
The industry average for 2004 model vehicles was a 16% problem rate, compared with 17% a year earlier.
As a group, Asian brands averaged 12 problems per 100 vehicles, a score unchanged for three years. It wasn't all glory, though. Nissan Motor Co., hobbled by glitches with the Titan pickup, the Armada SUV and the Quest minivan built at its new Mississippi plant, fell well below the average with a 19% problem rate.
Several brands were not rated because of insufficient responses, the magazine said.
Domestic brands fell just below the industry mean, averaging 17 problems per 100 vehicles sold, an improvement from 18 last year. "They've been getting a little more reliable year after year," Champion said.
European passenger vehicle brands continued dragging the bottom with a 21% problem rate, slightly worse than the previous survey's 20%.
Of about 160 models surveyed, the worst reliability scores, with 49 problems per 100 vehicles, were tallied by two behemoth vehicles: Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln Navigator SUV and the Nissan Quest minivan.
This is the second consecutive year U.S. brands outscored European makes. The European automakers, long plagued by problems with complex electrical systems, have been further hurt by quality problems with their SUVs, Champion said.
Volkswagen's Touareg, for instance, had one of the worst results in the survey, with 48 problems reported per 100 vehicles. Porsche's Cayenne, which shares the same vehicle platform, had 41 problems per 100. BMW's X5 and DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV, the Mercedes E-Class sedan and Volkswagen's New Beetle also scored far below average in reliability.
In a separate satisfaction survey, Consumer Reports asked subscribers whether they would buy the same car or truck again. The magazine said it received more than 250,000 responses.
In this category, the Toyota Prius gas-electric hybrid topped the list — a first for a hybrid — with 94% of owners saying they would repeat. Last year's leader, the Lexus LS430 sedan, dropped into second place with a 92% positive response.
Of 32 vehicles on the magazine's "most satisfying" list, 25 are Japanese models, six are European, and only one, General Motors Corp.'s Chevrolet Corvette, is a domestic model.
The survey shows that satisfaction and quality don't always mesh: The reliable Hyundai Sonata doesn't appear on the list of most satisfying vehicles, but the Nissan Titan pickup, which received poor reliability scores, does.
In another first for hybrids, Consumer Reports named the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid as its best pick for a family sedan. The hybrid uses a V-6 engine and an electric drive system to provide enhanced performance with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder car.
*
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
Reliability survey
Asian automakers continue to lead the industry in reliability, according to a Consumer Reports survey of 810,000 passenger vehicle owners in the U.S.
Top five
Brand Parent company Problems per 100 vehicles
Model year
2004 2003
Subaru Fuji 8 17
Honda Honda 9 10
Acura Honda 10 13
Toyota Toyota 10 11
Lexus Toyota 11 9
Bottom five
Nissan Nissan 19 14
BMW BMW 21 19
Volkswagen Volkswagen 23 19
Mercedes-Benz DaimlerChrysler 25 22
Lincoln Ford 26 31
Some brands, including Hummer, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Mini, Mitsubishi and Porsche, were not rated because of insufficent owner responses.
03-07-2005, 02:41 AM
#122
goldmemberererer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Hills, CA
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Way to go Subaru! I remember talking to my ex's mom about cars (she's a Porsche nut) and she told me how much she hated Jap cars cause she had this old Subaru and its windows shattered in the cold... heheh.
I wasn't aware their cars were this reliable. Quite a feat, considering how many turbo models they have. (See Also: VW's turbo disaster) I will look into the brand next time I buy a car.
I wasn't aware their cars were this reliable. Quite a feat, considering how many turbo models they have. (See Also: VW's turbo disaster) I will look into the brand next time I buy a car.
03-07-2005, 06:37 AM
#123
Drifting
Yes the current Scion models do have a history. in Japan they are called Toyota bB and the bA.. theyve been around for years and years, probably close to ten. they have been running around japan with rarely any problems and ive heard nothing but good things about it reliability wise. looks are a different story, some love it some hate it.
the Scion tC, is basicly the new generation "t"oyota "C"elica.. with the celica now on its last production year, the one of two sub-25k sports coupe that toyota has will be now under scion since the celica is a car mostly the younger crowd drives. the Solara will be the only other sports coupe going for toyota. i dont know though, the solara is just eh.. a coupe with camry like handling and feeling sounds boring. well, it IS a camry coupe..
the Scion tC, is basicly the new generation "t"oyota "C"elica.. with the celica now on its last production year, the one of two sub-25k sports coupe that toyota has will be now under scion since the celica is a car mostly the younger crowd drives. the Solara will be the only other sports coupe going for toyota. i dont know though, the solara is just eh.. a coupe with camry like handling and feeling sounds boring. well, it IS a camry coupe..
03-07-2005, 08:22 AM
#124
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by VW Spokesman
A spokesman for Volkswagen of America did not deny that the company's products have had problems.
Good to see that they've moved beyond the denial stage.
03-07-2005, 08:40 AM
#125
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No surprise to me. My friends are starting to hate their 3 Series. After sitting in them, I understand why.
Originally Posted by 95gt
Damn germans what the hell happened :wtf:
03-07-2005, 09:01 AM
#128
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HONDA is going to look at this as motivation to get to the top. I know the executives won't stand for smaller company like Subaru beating them.
Good to see Honda on par with Toyota.
Good to see Honda on par with Toyota.
03-07-2005, 10:48 AM
#129
Scions have enough history to do the survey, not just because they were available as Toyotas in Japan for a while now. Toyota initially (and quietly) unrolled the brand in the West coast, I think over two years ago. And then it slowly made its way across the continental US.
03-08-2005, 11:20 AM
#133
Moderator Alumnus
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally Posted by chungkopi
subaru and hyundai? wow! this must be the end of the world!!
Not exactly. It's just that instead of saying "Japanese cars are the most reliable", we'll be saying "Korean cars are the most reliable" (with American cars a close second - that last piece will be added 10 years from now).
03-08-2005, 12:27 PM
#134
Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey predicts continued troubles for European automakers with 2005 vehicles. Not only didn't European automakers have even one model among the top vehicles, they dominated the list of vehicles with the worst predicted reliability ratings.
Ten of the eleven sedans with Consumer Reports' lowest predicted reliability rating were European, including such high-priced models as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, E-Class, and six-cylinder version of the C-Class; the Jaguar S-Type and X-Type; and the BMW 7 Series and 5 Series. Most of Volkswagen's models, including the Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle, also rated far below average for reliability. The four-cylinder version of the Passat has been troublesome in the past, but VW seems to have gotten the bugs out of that version. Only the all-wheel-drive version of the Passat received the lowest rating in CR's survey.
A full half of the sedans and small cars that earned Consumer Reports' highest reliability rating are made by Toyota, including the Lexus and Scion brands. Top models were the Lexus IS300, Toyota Prius, the previous-generation Acura RL, Scion xB, and Toyota Corolla.
The only domestic cars to earn the highest reliability rating are the Buick Regal (discontinued for 2005) and the Pontiac Grand Prix (non-supercharged). For the first time, Hyundai earned a spot on CR's list of most reliable cars with its Sonata.
Consumer Reports' New Car Preview 2005, on sale now, includes a first look at CR's latest reliability findings. The publication, which costs $5.99 in the U.S. and $6.99 in Canada, is part of the respected Consumer Reports' Cars series of special automotive publications. More detailed results and analysis will be presented in Consumer Reports Annual Auto issue in April 2005.
CR's Largest Reliability Survey Ever
Consumer Reports had the largest response to its latest annual auto reliability survey ever, allowing the nonprofit organization to compile reliability portraits on more than 810,000 vehicles, up from 675,000 vehicles in 2003 and 480,000 in 2002. This is the second year in a row that Consumer Reports surveyed subscribers to both its magazine and its web site, www.ConsumerReports.org, a total of more than 5 million consumers throughout the U.S. The survey was conducted in the spring of 2004 and covered 1997 to 2004 models. To calculate predicted reliability ratings on currently-available models, CR averages the overall reliability scores for the most recent three years, provided that the vehicle remained substantially unchanged in that period and also didn't change for 2005. If a vehicle was new or redesigned in the past couple of years, CR may use only one or two years' data, if that's all that's available.
Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey is used in determining which makes and models are recommended to consumers by CR. Consumer Reports recommends only models that have performed well in tests conducted at its Auto Test Center in Connecticut and that have shown average or better reliability in its annual survey. Vehicles that perform poorly in government or insurance industry crash tests and rollover tests will also not be recommended. Occasionally, Consumer Reports may recommend a new or redesigned model that's too new to have compiled a reliability record if it scores well in CR's tests and if previous generations had consistently outstanding reliability.
As in past auto surveys done by Consumer Reports, the most reliable vehicles were built by Japanese manufacturers. Among the 32 models with the highest reliability rating in the new (2004) survey, 29 carry Japanese nameplates, with Toyota (16) and Honda (7) claiming the most. Among the 38 models with the lowest rating, 20 are European. The survey also shows that gas/electric hybrid vehicles appear to be holding up well thus far; the Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid were among the most reliable cars.
Some new and redesigned models had teething problems. For example, the redesigned Acura TL, typically a reliability standout, only scored average because of problems with body integrity and power accessories. Likewise, both the new Cadillac SRX and the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu and Saab 9-3 scored below average.
Asian models monopolized the top ratings in the SUV segment, with the lowest ratings going to a mix of European and U.S. models. The most reliable SUVs are the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Highlander, Mitsubishi Endeavor, and Toyota RAV4. One third of the SUVs with the lowest ratings are large models, including the Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Armada, Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and Hummer H2. Among the new or redesigned SUVs, the redesigned Lexus RX330 was above average, but the new Buick Rainier, Nissan Armada, Volkswagen Touareg, and Porsche Cayenne were all below average. There were no European SUVs in Consumer Reports' survey that rated average or above.
No minivans earned the highest predicted reliability rating, but four -- the Nissan Quest, Chevrolet Astro, GMC Safari, and Mazda MPV -- were among the least reliable. The Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey twins had average reliability in their debut year. Chrysler and Dodge minivans have average predicted reliability ratings following two years of sub par ratings.
The only pickup to earn the top rating is the Toyota Tundra. The new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon both scored above average -- a rarity for first-year GM products. The country's best-selling vehicle, the redesigned Ford F-150 pickup, also suffered from first-year reliability problems; the previous F-150 had long been Ford's most reliable product.
The New Car Preview 2005 ($5.99 U.S./$6.99 Canada) is available everywhere magazines are sold through January 24, 2005. It includes reviews and information on 220 models; an exclusive list of CR-recommended vehicles; a look at what's new for 2005; and the Consumer Reports' Safety Assessment, which compares crash protection, accident-avoidance capabilities, and overall safety for 101 vehicles. Another story looks at the pros and cons of leasing.
Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. CR has the most comprehensive auto-test program of any American magazine or web site; CR's auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars.
Ten of the eleven sedans with Consumer Reports' lowest predicted reliability rating were European, including such high-priced models as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, E-Class, and six-cylinder version of the C-Class; the Jaguar S-Type and X-Type; and the BMW 7 Series and 5 Series. Most of Volkswagen's models, including the Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle, also rated far below average for reliability. The four-cylinder version of the Passat has been troublesome in the past, but VW seems to have gotten the bugs out of that version. Only the all-wheel-drive version of the Passat received the lowest rating in CR's survey.
A full half of the sedans and small cars that earned Consumer Reports' highest reliability rating are made by Toyota, including the Lexus and Scion brands. Top models were the Lexus IS300, Toyota Prius, the previous-generation Acura RL, Scion xB, and Toyota Corolla.
The only domestic cars to earn the highest reliability rating are the Buick Regal (discontinued for 2005) and the Pontiac Grand Prix (non-supercharged). For the first time, Hyundai earned a spot on CR's list of most reliable cars with its Sonata.
Consumer Reports' New Car Preview 2005, on sale now, includes a first look at CR's latest reliability findings. The publication, which costs $5.99 in the U.S. and $6.99 in Canada, is part of the respected Consumer Reports' Cars series of special automotive publications. More detailed results and analysis will be presented in Consumer Reports Annual Auto issue in April 2005.
CR's Largest Reliability Survey Ever
Consumer Reports had the largest response to its latest annual auto reliability survey ever, allowing the nonprofit organization to compile reliability portraits on more than 810,000 vehicles, up from 675,000 vehicles in 2003 and 480,000 in 2002. This is the second year in a row that Consumer Reports surveyed subscribers to both its magazine and its web site, www.ConsumerReports.org, a total of more than 5 million consumers throughout the U.S. The survey was conducted in the spring of 2004 and covered 1997 to 2004 models. To calculate predicted reliability ratings on currently-available models, CR averages the overall reliability scores for the most recent three years, provided that the vehicle remained substantially unchanged in that period and also didn't change for 2005. If a vehicle was new or redesigned in the past couple of years, CR may use only one or two years' data, if that's all that's available.
Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey is used in determining which makes and models are recommended to consumers by CR. Consumer Reports recommends only models that have performed well in tests conducted at its Auto Test Center in Connecticut and that have shown average or better reliability in its annual survey. Vehicles that perform poorly in government or insurance industry crash tests and rollover tests will also not be recommended. Occasionally, Consumer Reports may recommend a new or redesigned model that's too new to have compiled a reliability record if it scores well in CR's tests and if previous generations had consistently outstanding reliability.
As in past auto surveys done by Consumer Reports, the most reliable vehicles were built by Japanese manufacturers. Among the 32 models with the highest reliability rating in the new (2004) survey, 29 carry Japanese nameplates, with Toyota (16) and Honda (7) claiming the most. Among the 38 models with the lowest rating, 20 are European. The survey also shows that gas/electric hybrid vehicles appear to be holding up well thus far; the Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid were among the most reliable cars.
Some new and redesigned models had teething problems. For example, the redesigned Acura TL, typically a reliability standout, only scored average because of problems with body integrity and power accessories. Likewise, both the new Cadillac SRX and the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu and Saab 9-3 scored below average.
Asian models monopolized the top ratings in the SUV segment, with the lowest ratings going to a mix of European and U.S. models. The most reliable SUVs are the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Highlander, Mitsubishi Endeavor, and Toyota RAV4. One third of the SUVs with the lowest ratings are large models, including the Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Armada, Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and Hummer H2. Among the new or redesigned SUVs, the redesigned Lexus RX330 was above average, but the new Buick Rainier, Nissan Armada, Volkswagen Touareg, and Porsche Cayenne were all below average. There were no European SUVs in Consumer Reports' survey that rated average or above.
No minivans earned the highest predicted reliability rating, but four -- the Nissan Quest, Chevrolet Astro, GMC Safari, and Mazda MPV -- were among the least reliable. The Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey twins had average reliability in their debut year. Chrysler and Dodge minivans have average predicted reliability ratings following two years of sub par ratings.
The only pickup to earn the top rating is the Toyota Tundra. The new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon both scored above average -- a rarity for first-year GM products. The country's best-selling vehicle, the redesigned Ford F-150 pickup, also suffered from first-year reliability problems; the previous F-150 had long been Ford's most reliable product.
The New Car Preview 2005 ($5.99 U.S./$6.99 Canada) is available everywhere magazines are sold through January 24, 2005. It includes reviews and information on 220 models; an exclusive list of CR-recommended vehicles; a look at what's new for 2005; and the Consumer Reports' Safety Assessment, which compares crash protection, accident-avoidance capabilities, and overall safety for 101 vehicles. Another story looks at the pros and cons of leasing.
Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. CR has the most comprehensive auto-test program of any American magazine or web site; CR's auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars.
03-08-2005, 08:46 PM
#135
Team Owner
my xb is the shittzznit.... i beat the shit out of it everyday 4k rpm at 70mph (Go figure) and it has not even had 1 SINGLE problem yet. not even 1 RATTLE when i am riding on 215 35 19s.....
the best part is IT IS FUCKING SLOW AS FUCK ( i smoked a civic dx tho)
the best part is IT IS FUCKING SLOW AS FUCK ( i smoked a civic dx tho)
03-11-2005, 03:06 PM
#136
Senior Moderator
Consumer Reports, "Good" and "Bad" Bets on Used Cars
Consumer Reports issues "Good" and "Bad Bets" on used cars
Yonkers, New York - Consumers Reports magazine, an independent, non-profit consumer testing company, issued its 2004 list of "Good Bets" and "Bad Bets" for used vehicles. The company used responses from more than 800,000 owners.
The result was 54 vehicles on the "good" list (7 more than the 2003 list), and 34 on the "bad" (15 more than last year). To qualify, the magazine must have at least 3 years' worth of data on the model; new models released in 2003 or 2004 do not appear. Consumer Reports gives extra weight to problems concerning the drivetrain.
The Good Bets were:
# Acura Integra
# Acura MDX
# Acura RL
# Acura RSX (new to list)
# Acura TL
# Buick Regal
# Chevrolet/Geo Prizm
# Chrysler PT Cruiser
# Ford Crown Victoria (new to list)
# Ford Escort
# Honda Accord
# Honda Civic
# Honda CR-V
# Honda Odyssey
# Honda Prelude
# Honda S2000
# Infiniti G20
# Infiniti I130/I135
# Infiniti Q45 (new to list)
# Infiniti QX4
# Lexus ES300/ES330
# Lexus GS300/GS400/GS430
# Lexus IS300 (new to list)
# Lexus LS400/LS430
# Lexus RX300/RX330
# Lincoln Town Car
# Mazda 626
# Mazda Millenia
# Mazda MX-5 Miata
# Mercury Grand Marquis (new to list)
# Mercury Tracer
# Mitsubishi Galant (new to list)
# Nissan Altima
# Nissan Pathfinder
# Subaru Forester
# Subaru Impreza
# Subaru Legacy
# Subaru Outback
# Toyota 4Runner
# Toyota Avalon
# Toyota Camry
# Toyota Camry Solara
# Toyota Celica
# Toyota Corolla
# Toyota Echo
# Toyota Highlander
# Toyota Land Cruiser
# Toyota Prius (new to list)
# Toyota RAV4
# Toyota Sequoia
# Toyota Sienna
# Toyota Tundra
The Bad Bets were:
# Audi A6
# BMW 7 series
# Chevrolet Astro
# Chevrolet Blazer
# Chevrolet Express 1500 (new to list)
# Chevrolet S-10 4WD
# Chevrolet Trailblazer (new to list)
# Chrysler Town & Country AWD
# Dodge Dakota 4WD (new to list)
# Dodge Grand Caravan AWD
# Ford Windstar (new to list)
# GMC Envoy (new to list)
# GMC Jimmy
# GMC Savana 1500 (new to list)
# GMC Sonoma 4WD
# Jaguar S-Type
# Jaguar X-Type (new to list)
# Jeep Grand Cherokee
# Land Rover Discovery (new to list)
# Lincoln Navigator
# Mercedes-Benz C-Class V6 (new to list)
# Mercedes-Benz CLK (new to list)
# Mercedes-Benz M-Class
# Mercedes-Benz S-Class (new to list)
# Oldsmobile Bravada
# Oldsmobile Cutlass
# Plymouth Neon
# Pontiac Aztek (new to list)
# Saturn Vue (new to list)
# Volkswagen Golf
# Volkswagen Jetta
# Volkswagen New Beetle
# Volvo S80 (new to list)
Yonkers, New York - Consumers Reports magazine, an independent, non-profit consumer testing company, issued its 2004 list of "Good Bets" and "Bad Bets" for used vehicles. The company used responses from more than 800,000 owners.
The result was 54 vehicles on the "good" list (7 more than the 2003 list), and 34 on the "bad" (15 more than last year). To qualify, the magazine must have at least 3 years' worth of data on the model; new models released in 2003 or 2004 do not appear. Consumer Reports gives extra weight to problems concerning the drivetrain.
The Good Bets were:
# Acura Integra
# Acura MDX
# Acura RL
# Acura RSX (new to list)
# Acura TL
# Buick Regal
# Chevrolet/Geo Prizm
# Chrysler PT Cruiser
# Ford Crown Victoria (new to list)
# Ford Escort
# Honda Accord
# Honda Civic
# Honda CR-V
# Honda Odyssey
# Honda Prelude
# Honda S2000
# Infiniti G20
# Infiniti I130/I135
# Infiniti Q45 (new to list)
# Infiniti QX4
# Lexus ES300/ES330
# Lexus GS300/GS400/GS430
# Lexus IS300 (new to list)
# Lexus LS400/LS430
# Lexus RX300/RX330
# Lincoln Town Car
# Mazda 626
# Mazda Millenia
# Mazda MX-5 Miata
# Mercury Grand Marquis (new to list)
# Mercury Tracer
# Mitsubishi Galant (new to list)
# Nissan Altima
# Nissan Pathfinder
# Subaru Forester
# Subaru Impreza
# Subaru Legacy
# Subaru Outback
# Toyota 4Runner
# Toyota Avalon
# Toyota Camry
# Toyota Camry Solara
# Toyota Celica
# Toyota Corolla
# Toyota Echo
# Toyota Highlander
# Toyota Land Cruiser
# Toyota Prius (new to list)
# Toyota RAV4
# Toyota Sequoia
# Toyota Sienna
# Toyota Tundra
The Bad Bets were:
# Audi A6
# BMW 7 series
# Chevrolet Astro
# Chevrolet Blazer
# Chevrolet Express 1500 (new to list)
# Chevrolet S-10 4WD
# Chevrolet Trailblazer (new to list)
# Chrysler Town & Country AWD
# Dodge Dakota 4WD (new to list)
# Dodge Grand Caravan AWD
# Ford Windstar (new to list)
# GMC Envoy (new to list)
# GMC Jimmy
# GMC Savana 1500 (new to list)
# GMC Sonoma 4WD
# Jaguar S-Type
# Jaguar X-Type (new to list)
# Jeep Grand Cherokee
# Land Rover Discovery (new to list)
# Lincoln Navigator
# Mercedes-Benz C-Class V6 (new to list)
# Mercedes-Benz CLK (new to list)
# Mercedes-Benz M-Class
# Mercedes-Benz S-Class (new to list)
# Oldsmobile Bravada
# Oldsmobile Cutlass
# Plymouth Neon
# Pontiac Aztek (new to list)
# Saturn Vue (new to list)
# Volkswagen Golf
# Volkswagen Jetta
# Volkswagen New Beetle
# Volvo S80 (new to list)
03-12-2005, 12:50 AM
#138
I'm the Firestarter
Conspicuously absent, the TSX...
03-12-2005, 12:53 AM
#139
Originally Posted by Belzebutt
Conspicuously absent, the TSX...
new models released in 2003 or 2004 do not appear.
03-12-2005, 12:56 PM
#147
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by DownUnder
I'm surprised to see the TL in the "Good bet" even with the tranny problems.
Plus after experiencing all the squeaks, rattles, and paint chips on my CL-S I find it hard to believe the TL is a good bet.
03-12-2005, 01:43 PM
#148
Instructor
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^ Squeaks, rattles, and paint chips don't affect the reliability of the car. Yes CR has body integrity and such under reliability but its not weighted the same. If the car still runs fine after many years, it is reliable, at least in my book. Unreliable, imo, means there are serious problems that affect the ability of the car to go from point A to point B. The tranny problem is an example of that but in total, it doesnt affect a majority of the cars out there (my dad's TL has 80k+ and no probs yet).
03-12-2005, 11:41 PM
#153
Instructor
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by heyitsme
Sqeaks, rattles and paint that chips easily makes a used car undesirable.
03-13-2005, 11:57 AM
#154
Moderator Alumnus
They are pushed and influenced in many parts of their decision making for all their product reviews. I'd never use that data.
They are very biased... not going to argue my point. Just pay attention to them for awhile. It's very obvious, especially on consumer goods.
I once knew someone who did work for them, that's all I'm going to say... so I'm 100% on this one.
They are very biased... not going to argue my point. Just pay attention to them for awhile. It's very obvious, especially on consumer goods.
I once knew someone who did work for them, that's all I'm going to say... so I'm 100% on this one.
03-14-2005, 11:36 AM
#155
Senior Moderator
Hyundai Sonata named "Most Reliable Vehicle" by Consumer Reports
The 2004 Hyundai Sonata mid-size sedan has been named "Most Reliable Vehicle", according to a survey released by Consumer Reports.
The independent consumer products test group stated that the "2004 Hyundai Sonata is the single most reliable vehicle", with a reported 2 problems per 100 vehicles. Overall, the Hyundai brand recorded a reliability rating of 11 problems per 100 vehicles, tying it with Lexus and Infiniti.
The ratings are the result of a survey of 810,000 subscribers, who forwarded data on their privately owned or leased vehicles. There were 20 per cent more respondents than last year's survey of 675,000 owners.
"We are delighted with this news from such a highly respected publication," said Hyundai Auto Canada president and CEO Stephen Kelleher. "While the Sonata has been a real award winner for us, Hyundai's other products have improved as well."
In recent years, Hyundai has received numerous accolades and awards. The Santa Fe SUV won the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction award three times as "most satisfying mid-size SUV"; the last J.D. Power IQS survey ranked Sonata first in its class, and Santa Fe and Accent each second in theirs; and the new Tucson received the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year Award for "Best New Crossover", while World of Wheels magazine named it "Editor's Choice" for SUV/Crossover Vehicle under $45,000.
The independent consumer products test group stated that the "2004 Hyundai Sonata is the single most reliable vehicle", with a reported 2 problems per 100 vehicles. Overall, the Hyundai brand recorded a reliability rating of 11 problems per 100 vehicles, tying it with Lexus and Infiniti.
The ratings are the result of a survey of 810,000 subscribers, who forwarded data on their privately owned or leased vehicles. There were 20 per cent more respondents than last year's survey of 675,000 owners.
"We are delighted with this news from such a highly respected publication," said Hyundai Auto Canada president and CEO Stephen Kelleher. "While the Sonata has been a real award winner for us, Hyundai's other products have improved as well."
In recent years, Hyundai has received numerous accolades and awards. The Santa Fe SUV won the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction award three times as "most satisfying mid-size SUV"; the last J.D. Power IQS survey ranked Sonata first in its class, and Santa Fe and Accent each second in theirs; and the new Tucson received the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year Award for "Best New Crossover", while World of Wheels magazine named it "Editor's Choice" for SUV/Crossover Vehicle under $45,000.
03-14-2005, 01:47 PM
#157
Moderator Alumnus
OMFG another crappy consumer reports article... sheesh
if you don't find anything wrong /w the above quote. Don't bother replying.
Basically the only car you can compare to the 7 series is the VW Phaeton. period.
Toyota Camry (4-cyl.)...................... BMW 7 Series
Basically the only car you can compare to the 7 series is the VW Phaeton. period.
03-14-2005, 01:49 PM
#158
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by SiGGy
OMFG another crappy consumer reports article... sheesh
if you don't find anything wrong /w the above quote. Don't bother replying.
if you don't find anything wrong /w the above quote. Don't bother replying.
I agree, thats messed up.
03-14-2005, 02:38 PM
#159
Fahrvergnügen'd
Originally Posted by SiGGy
OMFG another crappy consumer reports article... sheesh
if you don't find anything wrong /w the above quote. Don't bother replying.
Basically the only car you can compare to the 7 series is the VW Phaeton. period.
if you don't find anything wrong /w the above quote. Don't bother replying.
Basically the only car you can compare to the 7 series is the VW Phaeton. period.
03-15-2005, 08:26 AM
#160
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by charliemike
You're right. The BMW should be far better than the Camry.
The point is you cannot compare the vehicles together. There not in the same class, not even close. The 5/3 series is a closer match to the camry, and even then it's not a good comparison. the features/technology in the 7 series is 10x what the camry has. The more you have, the more opportunity for problems.
As I said earlier, the only car that should be compared to the 7 is the VW phaeton.
Do you frequently compare ferrari's to camaros?