Posted on 06/30/2011 8:52:20 AM PDT by ThinkingBuddha
Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall, but Ford posted the largest gain in the past year, improving in its road-test and reliability scores. General Motors and Volvo also improved in both areas. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer whose scores dropped in both measures.
Our automaker report cards reflect the performance, comfort, utility, and reliability of more than 270 vehicles that we’ve recently tested. Here are other highlights from this year’s analysis:
•Honda, Subaru, and Toyota are the top three automakers for the third year in a row. Most of their vehicles do well in our tests and are relatively trouble-free.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
One of our Toyota’s has 190000 miles, and other than routine oil change and tire replacement has never been in a shop. We have been very happy with Toyota. and its vehicles.
Hyundai is the most bang for the buck.
I love my Civic. Most dependable car I’ve ever had.
I grew up with GM. 4 years ago I bought a Toyota Camry,and now I wonder what took me so long.
116,000 miles on it now , I change my own oil, I put brakes on it at 85,000, changed the plugs at 100,000, New tires ,and that is the limit to my spending.
The dealer hasnt seen me since he sold it to me.
30 MPG average , got 36 once with a tailwind coming back from Myrtle Beach.
I have a 98 Civic EX. It has 240k miles. Here’s the list of problems:
Hole in exhaust pipe between catalytic converter and muffler
Catalytic converter replaced after 220k.
2 starters (1 at around 85k, another around 150k)
A/C went out around 200k
Driver’s window motor went out around 200k.
That’s it other than routine stuff. The powertrain runs like it’s brand new and it still handles and rides the same as they day I bought it. I also have an 05 Accord V6 with 140k and I’ve not had any mechanical problems at all with it.
Don’t forget Kia my sis has the Sorento and it has over 100k without a problem. I have an employee of mine who owns the new Optima and it is a very nice car!
After decades of driving Chevies, I bought a Mazda 3 and at almost 85,000 miles have yet to have any major repair. I have replaced tires, the battery (after 5 years) and a headlamp bulb, but yet to have any problems with anything on the vehicle. Note this Mazda was made in Japan not at unionized Mazda plants in the US.
Agreed. My Entourage with remote access system, third row seating, etc. was under $20,000 and has been the best vehicle I can remember owning. The first 5K miles I got right at 20 miles/gal mixed driving. I’m now getting 24 mixed and 28 highway. Great vehicle for all around use. With the thrid row stored dwon int he floor, the cargo area is awesome.
When I saw the Genesis sedan last year my jaw dropped. Nice car and seems to be a great alternative for those of us wanting a 5-series but can’t afford it.
I love my Honda CRV. Drove my first one for 7 years and the only thing I ever did was change out the battery and take it for normal servicing. Have had my new one for 5 years and its never hiccuped the wrong way.
My Mazda 3 is the best car I’ve ever had. Hands DOWN!
“CR is so Jap biased it stinks.”
You got that right.
I’ve never owned a Japanese car, but my father had a Nissan 410. It was supposed to have a 240Z engine. It definitely had metallic fabric fuel injection hoses. The last time we saw it the engine compartment was on fire. So he owned one.
Happy Birthday America.
It wasn’t a Nissan. It was a Datsun. What was that, 1974? Believe it or not Nissans have improved slightly since then.
I’ve been in the car business for 20 years. With a “dualed” dealership, Toyota and GM. We sell about 10/1 toyota over GM. Guess which ones consistently come back with problems? One clue. It ain’t toyota. You’d figure at 10/1 you’d have 10 times as many problem toyotas come in. Nope. It’s 10/1 the other way.
I hate their rating system... Let’s see, is a solid red circle better than a half red circle? Or is a solid black circle the best? What about the empty circle? I have to check the key every time I infrequently use CR... heh
If a manufacturer used a system as obtuse as theirs, CR would excoriate them for it, like when they ding a Corvette for its lack of luggage space.
Why don’t they use a 1-10 numbering system for each component they are judging? Much easier. Plus, readers could compile their own rankings of a product by eliminating the components that they aren’t concerned about (like trunk space in a Corvette), and then calculating their own final result.
Fine with me. It was manufactured in Japan by mature adults and it works perfectly. I’ve had a Ford. No thanks.
The critiques of CR’s sampling methods and innate biases are legion (especially as to autos). One example out of hundreds: http://www.allpar.com/cr.html
I like the Mazda better also. Way nicer looking and better interior.
I guess some heads would explode if I put a Palin bumpersticker on it. :)
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