Consumer Reports Best Cars

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by Shadow248


I got to check out the issue that is the subject of this thread. In this issue, they call a Passat, Jetta and Golf some of the best cars on the road, then further back in the SAME ISSUE, in their "cars to avoid at all costs" list, the Passat, Jetta, and Golf all appear. Check it out for yourself.

I've not yet read this particular edition of CR, but as a long-time subscriber I can say that it's typical (and sensible) for the magazine to rate a car as highly as warranted based on driving tests, yet recommend against purchasing same due to reliability or safety concerns reflected in subscriber surveys. This tends to favor consumers in general, not just auto enthusiasts.

While on the subject of CU reliability ratings: What's up with the Baja?


dcb

[Landshark]

Originally posted by Shadow248
I guess every great man must have a nemesis. You, Landshark, are my nemesis.

thought you'd like that. just pullin' yer chain - i don't put much into CR, either.

[LarryIII]

CR is good for appliances. Right now we are looking for a built-in double wall oven (redoing the kitchen). When you eat as much as we do the kitchen is a very important place.

CR tries to take the emotion out of everything that they test. You cannot do that with some items. Items that get a visceral response from the users are not quantifiable as pure appliances.

Many years ago CR rated Cutty Sark scotch over Chivas Regal. I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes.

[LarryIII]

CR is good for appliances. Right now we are looking for a built-in double wall oven (redoing the kitchen). When you eat as much as we do the kitchen is a very important place.

CR tries to take the emotion out of everything that they test. You cannot do that with some items. Items that get a visceral response from the users are not quantifiable as pure appliances.

Many years ago CR rated Cutty Sark scotch over Chivas Regal. I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes.

You can't test cars in the same manner that you test laundry detergent or attic fans. CR has never learned that, and in some ways that's a good thing.

[Noir]

Originally posted by LarryIII
Many years ago CR rated Cutty Sark scotch over Chivas Regal. I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes.

Sorry Larry, but I do disagree. I do believe that Cutty Sark Marketing is much better than Chivas Regal. Laugh all you want, but when I see those Cutty Sark women in their visual advertisements, it just makes me want to drink Cutty Sark.

So CR is right in rating Cutty Sark better than Chivas Regal....their posters .

Originally posted by sidewinder

_Upscale and large sedans: Lexus IS300, Mercedes-Benz C320, Audi A4 3.0 Quattro

....and...

I still don't like CR when it comes to cars. I'll stick to Edmunds.com

[Sidewinder]

I dont follow them closely, but does Road and Track, Car and Driver, Motortrend and the other auto magazines award the same cars? It would be interesting to see if they, and compare to the CR cars. At least in that case, you'd have various opinions from various sources in agreement.

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by sidewinder
I dont follow them closely, but does Road and Track, Car and Driver, Motortrend and the other auto magazines award the same cars? It would be interesting to see if they, and compare to the CR cars. At least in that case, you'd have various opinions from various sources in agreement.

I'd be inclined to place more faith in the reviews of an organization which accepts no advertising than those of publications beholden to their advertisers. Besides, I'd think most automotive magazines gear their evaluations to consider performance, styling and gadgetry over practicality, reliability, and everyday driving characteristics. Which publication is "best" depends upon the priorities of the reader.


dcb

[Sidewinder]

Originally posted by dcarrb


I'd be inclined to place more faith in the reviews of an organization which accepts no advertising than those of publications beholden to their advertisers. Besides, I'd think most automotive magazines gear their evaluations to consider performance, styling and gadgetry over practicality, reliability, and everyday driving characteristics. Which publication is "best" depends upon the priorities of the reader.


dcb

Thats a very good point. I never even thought about that. Finding an unbiased third party would be quite difficult. I am glad I am not in the market for a new car. =)

[Noir]

Originally posted by dcarrb


I'd be inclined to place more faith in the reviews of an organization which accepts no advertising than those of publications beholden to their advertisers. Besides, I'd think most automotive magazines gear their evaluations to consider performance, styling and gadgetry over practicality, reliability, and everyday driving characteristics. Which publication is "best" depends upon the priorities of the reader.


dcb

That's absolutely right. It's all dependent on the reader who chooses whether he likes a particular publication or not. CR is geared for the average majority joe's and jane's. The people who test drives those cars may or may not agree with what everyone likes or dislikes. The evaluator may feel that the Integra drives perfect for him, yet the reader may feel that the ride sucks. Most people read different magazine to see which one they agree with the most, then stick to it. For CR, it's majority of the people who don't value ride, style, quality, etc. like we do. One writer may like the SVX, others may not. Apparently, not enough people liked the SVX and therefore it didn't sell well the short time the vehicle was produced. I wouldn't down CR, if no one read it, it wouldn't be published. Guess there's some value in that magazine for some.

All but a matter of opinion.

[LarryIII]

Originally posted by Noir


Sorry Larry, but I do disagree. I do believe that Cutty Sark Marketing is much better than Chivas Regal. Laugh all you want, but when I see those Cutty Sark women in their visual advertisements, it just makes me want to drink Cutty Sark.

So CR is right in rating Cutty Sark better than Chivas Regal....their posters .

Harry,

You may be right until you taste them (the scotches, not the women). Taste buds don't lie.

That's like saying that Bud is better than Sam Adams or Guiness.

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by Noir


One writer may like the SVX, others may not. Apparently, not enough people liked the SVX and therefore it didn't sell well the short time the vehicle was produced. I wouldn't down CR, if no one read it, it wouldn't be published. Guess there's some value in that magazine for some.

All but a matter of opinion.

I occasionally disagree with the way Consumer Reports categorizes the products it evaluates. As I recall, one of the cars with which it "compared" the SVX was a Corvette... for want of a more appropriate rival, I suppose. That said, their reliability and frequency of repair ratings, based upon subscriber surveys, have in my (limited) experience have been pretty much dead-on.

It's interesting to note that, while the current CR frequency of repair ratings date back to 1996, they've apparently received insufficient feedback on the SVX for it to even warrant a heading in the charts.


dcb