Looks like Consumer Reports still hasn't lost its OMG JAPANESE.

[imported_K3N]

the latest american focus is a really fugly car.

 

[Kroze]

the ford focus is just really shitty, no one would recommend them that's why they're not on the list.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
One thing you must consider about any review is who the review is written to. CR doesn't write reviews that praise Japanese cars because they're being paid off, or because they're all Japanophiles. They're just considering their audience. And who buys CR magazine? Mostly middle-aged people with children, and probably more women than men (though I don't actually know for sure).

If you want to know which one is the most fun to drive, pick up a Car & Driver. CR gives the best ratings to the cars that are most comfortable and family-friendly, and other factors (such as the tightness of the handling or the acceleration) are secondary. As long as they're not so bad as to be dangerous, they'll get a pass.

You don't buy or really subscribe to CR. It comes as part as an interest group.

I've found that they don't know the ins and outs of cars too much, but most reviews out there peg the focus as an unreliable unpolished car.

As for recommending all the Honda cars - well is there a reason not to outside of the fact that you just don't like them? Have you ridden and tested them all?

-Kevin

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
One thing you must consider about any review is who the review is written to. CR doesn't write reviews that praise Japanese cars because they're being paid off, or because they're all Japanophiles. They're just considering their audience. And who buys CR magazine? Mostly middle-aged people with children, and probably more women than men (though I don't actually know for sure).

If you want to know which one is the most fun to drive, pick up a Car & Driver. CR gives the best ratings to the cars that are most comfortable and family-friendly, and other factors (such as the tightness of the handling or the acceleration) are secondary. As long as they're not so bad as to be dangerous, they'll get a pass.

You don't buy or really subscribe to CR. It comes as part as an interest group.

What the heck are you talking about? You can buy it at grocery stores and newsstands, and my brother has a subscription because he reads the reliability surveys.

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
I've found that they don't know the ins and outs of cars too much, but most reviews out there peg the focus as an unreliable unpolished car.

Yep, that's basically what I was saying. CR focuses on different factors than true auto magazines. Think about it: It's called Consumer Reports. It's for regular people who want to buy a car, not for car enthusiasts.

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
As for recommending all the Honda cars - well is there a reason not to outside of the fact that you just don't like them? Have you ridden and tested them all?

I love Hondas. They are all pretty much excellent cars. Even the ones I don't like personally (Element, CR-V) I can recognize as being good cars for their intended use. But I'm assuming you were addressing Honda's critics in general there, not me in particular, because I'm not very critical of Honda.

 

[Gamingphreek]

What the heck are you talking about? You can buy it at grocery stores and newsstands, and my brother has a subscription because he reads the reliability surveys.

Consumer reports is an interest group - not a company.

I love Hondas. They are all pretty much excellent cars. Even the ones I don't like personally (Element, CR-V) I can recognize as being good cars for their intended use. But I'm assuming you were addressing Honda's critics in general there, not me in particular, because I'm not very critical of Honda.

I was just making a general question. All the people that are advocates against Honda - have they driven and tested the cars like CR has? Yea they aren't as in depth in the reviews as Car Magazines are, but they have at least driven and tested each and every car.

-Kevin

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: ElFenix

so why is the tc on there?

This is MOST MPG for your $ for a vehicle that isn't a heaping pile of shit.

again, why is the tc on there?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

What the heck are you talking about? You can buy it at grocery stores and newsstands, and my brother has a subscription because he reads the reliability surveys.

Consumer reports is an interest group - not a company.

They publish a magazine, which they sell.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

What the heck are you talking about? You can buy it at grocery stores and newsstands, and my brother has a subscription because he reads the reliability surveys.

Consumer reports is an interest group - not a company.

They publish a magazine, which they sell.

Link

Non-profit and published by the Consumers UNION. I don't recall, but I do not believe you can purchase the magazine individually like that. You must be a subscriber and thereby part of the Consumers Union.

-Kevin

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I remember when the Ford Probe was slated to come out in the late 80s. It was being built at the the Monroe plant that Ford shares with Mazda. The exact same version of the Probe with Mazda badging (I forget the model) was slated come out too. CR said that the reliability of the Ford was predicted to be average and the Mazda was predicted to be above average. They were the exact same car made on the same assembly line!

My opinion of CR's reviews of cars was severely tarnished by this and they haven't changed much since.

Remember when Isuzu made the Rodeo and sold it under the name Honda Passport? It was the same piece of fucking shit but yet the Honda had higher resale value and reliability ratings.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: ElFenix

so why is the tc on there?

This is MOST MPG for your $ for a vehicle that isn't a heaping pile of shit.

again, why is the tc on there?

Ask them why they consider it a "recommended" vehicle, yet they recommend ZERO Mercedes Benz's.

While you're at it you can ask them why the Lincoln Town Car is recommended.

 

[Arkaign]

The current Focus is actually an excellent vehicle in the segment. I'm getting close to 40mpg in combined driving, the car is extremely quiet, handles beautifully, has plenty of power, isn't porky (only 2550lbs), wasn't expensive, and has a Mazda Duratec chain-timed motor.

The styling is admittedly odd, but it's very roomy and comfortable inside. I'm 6'3" and very large frame, and it's easy for me to get into, out of, and sit in for long trips.

Someone who slams the Focus either has enough money to afford something better (to a certain extent, you DO get what you pay for), or just hasn't played with one in person.

 

[SAWYER]

My 01 Focus isn't very good, but I have heard the newer ones are much better for what class car they are.

 

[woodie1]

It's nice to know that the reported improvements in Ford vehicles seems to be true. I knew that eventually Detroit would get on the right track, just wish it had been sooner.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Sawyer
My 01 Focus isn't very good, but I have heard the newer ones are much better for what class car they are.

Yes, the improvements are drastic, particularly in the motor and overall build quality. The only motors for '01 were the SPI (~110hp), and Zetec (~130hp), which were not to the standard of the asian imports. The new interior, and current use of Mazda Duratec motors (same as in the Mazda3, sans the 2.3 option) is a very nice upgrade. Fuel economy in particular is much improved, along with smoothness, power, and ease of maintenance (no timing belt to worry over).

Originally posted by: woodie1
It's nice to know that the reported improvements in Ford vehicles seems to be true. I knew that eventually Detroit would get on the right track, just wish it had been sooner.

Yep, the Focus and Fusion are excellent competitors. I won't lie and say they're necessarily the best, but they are great options, and can often save a few grand off of competing imports. The Focus is a definite step up from the Cobalt (*cough* Cavalier!), but the Malibu is every bit as good, if not more so, than the Fusion. So, improvements all around, and they'll keep coming.

Ford has the global MK3 Focus rollout in 2011 for the 2012 model, and IIRC, they are launching the excellent Fiesta over here in late '09 as a 2010 model.