Consumer Reports picks 'Best Cars' - GoFuckYourself.com

FrankWhite · 03-06-2005, 05:09 PM

DETROIT, March 4 (Reuters) - Japanese automobiles are the true kings of the road, judging by the latest annual "Best Cars" issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which hits newsstands next week.

All but one of the vehicles in the magazine's list of "top picks" in 10 different categories for 2005 are Japanese. The exception is Ford's small-sized Focus sedan.

Japanese vehicles also score a clean sweep on a list of 21 vehicles that Consumer Reports says it can recommend because they earned "very good" or "excellent" scores in all five major ratings areas it tested.

The recommendations are important since the spring auto issue from Consumer Reports, which accepts no paid advertising or free samples of the products its reviews, has long been seen as a trusted shopping guide by many U.S. car buyers.

Anything that could accelerate the rate of defection away from Detroit's mass market automakers is clearly bad news for the likes of General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. as they continue to lose market share to fast-growing foreign rivals.

The Big Three can take solace, however, from a Consumer Reports survey showing for the second consecutive year that the average domestic car is more reliable than its average European counterpart.

That trend, which gives Detroit at least some bragging rights, was reported by Consumer Reports for the first time in 24 years in its previous auto issue, in 2004.

Reliability results this year were based on responses from Consumer Report subscribers about a record 810,000 privately owned or leased cars and trucks.

Japanese and Korean automakers once again produced the most trouble-free models, with an overall problem rate of 12 per 100 for the 2004 model year, the same rate they have had for the last three years, Consumer Reports said.

It said GM, Ford and the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG inched closer to the Asians with an overall problem rate of 17 per 100, however. That matched the industry average and was down from a combined rate of 18 per 100 last year.

By contrast, the problem rate for European automakers rose slightly to 21 per 100 from 20 last year.

"Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Volvo had more than their fair share of problems. Only Audi came out better than average," the magazine said.

"The most reliable brand overall is now Subaru, which averages eight problems per 100," Consumer Reports said. It noted that Honda Motor Co. Ltd., long a reliability leader, now averaged nine problems per 100.

The single most reliable vehicle in the 2004 model year was Hyundai Motor Co, Ltd's low-cost Sonata sedan, with a problem rate of just two per 100.

The showing "further establishes Hyundai's remarkable turnaround from one of the least reliable brands to one of the best," Consumer Reports said of the Korean automaker.

Ford's Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle and Nissan's Quest minivan tied for most unreliable vehicle, it said, with problem rates of 49 per 100. Close behind was the pricey Touareg SUV from Volkswagen AG, which had 48 problems for every 100 vehicles. Top of page

warlock5 · 03-06-2005, 05:18 PM

Who cares as long as its still under warrenty

Peaches · 03-06-2005, 05:49 PM

I made a BIG mistake of buying my first two American cars a couple of years ago. Never again. Back to Japanese for me.

rambler · 03-06-2005, 05:53 PM

When I was young and dumb and listened to all my stupid friends I used to think Domestic was the best until I bought a Jap car. I will NEVER buy domestic again.

JFK · 03-06-2005, 06:37 PM

Holy shit the Navigator...........49 out a hundred

I was toying with the idea of getting one

lagwagon · 03-06-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFK

Holy shit the Navigator...........49 out a hundred

I was toying with the idea of getting one

no shit! my mother was talking about getting one. lol fuck that, i am going to call her right now.

Peaches · 03-06-2005, 06:49 PM

I really liked the looks of the Touareg

FrankWhite · 03-06-2005, 08:01 PM

yeah i was thinking about navigator as well, but after this no way i am getting one.

03-06-2005, 05:09 PM	#1
FrankWhite Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: nyc Posts: 3,540	Consumer Reports picks 'Best Cars' DETROIT, March 4 (Reuters) - Japanese automobiles are the true kings of the road, judging by the latest annual "Best Cars" issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which hits newsstands next week. All but one of the vehicles in the magazine's list of "top picks" in 10 different categories for 2005 are Japanese. The exception is Ford's small-sized Focus sedan. Japanese vehicles also score a clean sweep on a list of 21 vehicles that Consumer Reports says it can recommend because they earned "very good" or "excellent" scores in all five major ratings areas it tested. The recommendations are important since the spring auto issue from Consumer Reports, which accepts no paid advertising or free samples of the products its reviews, has long been seen as a trusted shopping guide by many U.S. car buyers. Anything that could accelerate the rate of defection away from Detroit's mass market automakers is clearly bad news for the likes of General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. as they continue to lose market share to fast-growing foreign rivals. The Big Three can take solace, however, from a Consumer Reports survey showing for the second consecutive year that the average domestic car is more reliable than its average European counterpart. That trend, which gives Detroit at least some bragging rights, was reported by Consumer Reports for the first time in 24 years in its previous auto issue, in 2004. Reliability results this year were based on responses from Consumer Report subscribers about a record 810,000 privately owned or leased cars and trucks. Japanese and Korean automakers once again produced the most trouble-free models, with an overall problem rate of 12 per 100 for the 2004 model year, the same rate they have had for the last three years, Consumer Reports said. It said GM, Ford and the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG inched closer to the Asians with an overall problem rate of 17 per 100, however. That matched the industry average and was down from a combined rate of 18 per 100 last year. By contrast, the problem rate for European automakers rose slightly to 21 per 100 from 20 last year. "Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Volvo had more than their fair share of problems. Only Audi came out better than average," the magazine said. "The most reliable brand overall is now Subaru, which averages eight problems per 100," Consumer Reports said. It noted that Honda Motor Co. Ltd., long a reliability leader, now averaged nine problems per 100. The single most reliable vehicle in the 2004 model year was Hyundai Motor Co, Ltd's low-cost Sonata sedan, with a problem rate of just two per 100. The showing "further establishes Hyundai's remarkable turnaround from one of the least reliable brands to one of the best," Consumer Reports said of the Korean automaker. Ford's Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle and Nissan's Quest minivan tied for most unreliable vehicle, it said, with problem rates of 49 per 100. Close behind was the pricey Touareg SUV from Volkswagen AG, which had 48 problems for every 100 vehicles. Top of page

03-06-2005, 06:37 PM	#5
JFK FUBAR the ORIGINATOR Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: FUBARLAND Posts: 67,374	Holy shit the Navigator...........49 out a hundred I was toying with the idea of getting one __________________ FUBAR Webmasters - The FUBAR Times - FUBAR Webmasters Mobile - FUBARTV.XXX For promo opps contact jfk at fubarwebmasters dot com

03-06-2005, 05:18 PM	#2
warlock5 Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Uranus Posts: 2,808	Who cares as long as its still under warrenty

03-06-2005, 05:49 PM	#3
Peaches Old broad Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Away Posts: 13,933	I made a BIG mistake of buying my first two American cars a couple of years ago. Never again. Back to Japanese for me.

03-06-2005, 05:53 PM	#4
rambler Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: vancouver Posts: 745	When I was young and dumb and listened to all my stupid friends I used to think Domestic was the best until I bought a Jap car. I will NEVER buy domestic again.

03-06-2005, 06:49 PM	#7
Peaches Old broad Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Away Posts: 13,933	I really liked the looks of the Touareg

03-06-2005, 08:01 PM	#8
FrankWhite Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: nyc Posts: 3,540	yeah i was thinking about navigator as well, but after this no way i am getting one.