U.S. Cars Rise in Reliability Ratings

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Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
i don't care what anybody says, ford still sucks balls. i'm driving an 06 taurus as a rental and god what a piece of crap. i had a 95 and it was basically the same car.
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: goku
Originally posted by: notfred
How exactly do you rate the reliability of a brand new car? Any car that's breaking down in the first year *at all* should be off the list for reliability.

Exactly what I was thinking which is why I really resent computer hardware reviews, the only rate initial quality but don't attempt to see how the actual quality from that manufacturer is after a few years of use.

I'd be nice if reviews would do an initial review and then a review a few years down the road, may seem pointless since it's outdated stuff but it wouldn't be because it would show which manufacturers survived and which didn't.

Look at the amount of 1988 Lincoln towncars on the road with more than 300,000 miles, you don't need consumer reports to tell you something there. (You don't actually notice the amount until you've owned one).

what, 3?
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
i don't care what anybody says, ford still sucks balls. i'm driving an 06 taurus as a rental and god what a piece of crap. i had a 95 and it was basically the same car.

winnar!!! way to judge a whole car company by one car.
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
reputation is just as hard to repair as reliability.

QFT. Domestics are forever stained with the bad reliability stereotype.

We have had a 2000 Ford Winstar minivan since March 2000, and I have to say: we're glad we got the extended warranty. 83K miles currently - transmission, axels, and other things replaced. Luckily it was under warranty. :) My dad's 2003 Toyota Tundra: 65K miles and NO problems whatsoever. We only change the oil and did a tuneup at 60K. :thumbsup:
 

Black88GTA

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,430
0
0
How can anyone take CR seriously after gems like this:

Speaking of the Solstice, a two-seat roadster, Champion cited a lot of little flaws.

"There is no place to put your cell phone," he said. "The cup holders are behind you, so every time you try and take a drink, you spill your drink."

WTF?? Who the hell knocks on a car like the Solstice for lack of convenient place to put a cell phone and awkwardly placed cupholders?? :disgust: Sounds like whoever shat that one out needs to go buy a Corolla and leave the car reviews to someone who isn't a complete retard.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,855
6,393
126
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
heh yea 3. all elderly folk who probably drive 15 miles a week:p geeeeezer car

Grandma: Is this the Country Kitchen?
Grandpa: I think so!
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
How can anyone take CR seriously after gems like this:

Speaking of the Solstice, a two-seat roadster, Champion cited a lot of little flaws.

"There is no place to put your cell phone," he said. "The cup holders are behind you, so every time you try and take a drink, you spill your drink."

WTF?? Who the hell knocks on a car like the Solstice for lack of convenient place to put a cell phone and awkwardly placed cupholders?? :disgust: Sounds like whoever shat that one out needs to go buy a Corolla and leave the car reviews to someone who isn't a complete retard.

Yep, the same guys that rant about Stangs, Camaro's, etc. having bad fuel economy. Rip snortin' V8. Duh.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
How can anyone take CR seriously after gems like this:

Speaking of the Solstice, a two-seat roadster, Champion cited a lot of little flaws.

"There is no place to put your cell phone," he said. "The cup holders are behind you, so every time you try and take a drink, you spill your drink."

WTF?? Who the hell knocks on a car like the Solstice for lack of convenient place to put a cell phone and awkwardly placed cupholders?? :disgust: Sounds like whoever shat that one out needs to go buy a Corolla and leave the car reviews to someone who isn't a complete retard.

I can't understand the cell phone holder, but I can certainly understand the cup holders. If you are going to put a "feature" in your car and you design it in a crappy way, somebody should say something to get you to improve it. What's so wrong with that?

Although the above post about fuel economy is amusing, they do make stupid comments like that a lot.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Originally posted by: probzy
Honda is the best.

Meh, I am inclined to disagree. My wife and I have a 2000 Honda Accord, in 2002 at 31,000 miles it needed a new transmission. We have also have had to replace most of the AC system, out of pocket.

People think they are the perfect cars, they are good cars, but far from perfect.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
reputation is just as hard to repair as reliability.

QFT. Domestics are forever stained with the bad reliability stereotype.

We have had a 2000 Ford Winstar minivan since March 2000, and I have to say: we're glad we got the extended warranty. 83K miles currently - transmission, axels, and other things replaced. Luckily it was under warranty. :) My dad's 2003 Toyota Tundra: 65K miles and NO problems whatsoever. We only change the oil and did a tuneup at 60K. :thumbsup:

well the reputation part isn't just based on reliability. its also how they behave as companies. building gas guzzlers getting them ass kicked in the gas crisis and then the suv boom and ditching development on their regular cars. poo pooing hybrids/shutting down electric car dev etc.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Duh, the whole Japanese cars are better than American ones hasn't been true since the 90's. Only after this generation is gone will the myth also deminish. Unfortunately movies like the Fast and The Furious get the new generation interested also.

Personally I hate Japanese cars, and I own a 2001 Kia. ;)

Now European cars on the other hand...


Either way...Let the fanboys begin their flaming.

Hence, the name SVT Cobra?

The Optima is my daily driver, my cobra is for weekend fun.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
Originally posted by: goku
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Duh, the whole Japanese cars are better than American ones hasn't been true since the 90's. Only after this generation is gone will the myth also deminish. Unfortunately movies like the Fast and The Furious get the new generation interested also.

Personally I hate Japanese cars, and I own a 2001 Kia. ;)

Now European cars on the other hand...


Either way...Let the fanboys begin their flaming.

Shows how much you know, KIA is not a japanese car.

self ownage! :D

Not really I knew it was South Korean, but all Asian cars look the same and seem as if they came out of one place.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,599
1,001
126
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
How can anyone take CR seriously after gems like this:

Speaking of the Solstice, a two-seat roadster, Champion cited a lot of little flaws.

"There is no place to put your cell phone," he said. "The cup holders are behind you, so every time you try and take a drink, you spill your drink."

WTF?? Who the hell knocks on a car like the Solstice for lack of convenient place to put a cell phone and awkwardly placed cupholders?? :disgust: Sounds like whoever shat that one out needs to go buy a Corolla and leave the car reviews to someone who isn't a complete retard.

Well, if you're buying a car that you'll be driving day in and day out for the next 3-4 years things like this will drive you nuts everytime you drive. Why not bring it up? If nothing else it lets Pontiac know what they need to improve.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
How can anyone take CR seriously after gems like this:

Speaking of the Solstice, a two-seat roadster, Champion cited a lot of little flaws.

"There is no place to put your cell phone," he said. "The cup holders are behind you, so every time you try and take a drink, you spill your drink."

WTF?? Who the hell knocks on a car like the Solstice for lack of convenient place to put a cell phone and awkwardly placed cupholders?? :disgust: Sounds like whoever shat that one out needs to go buy a Corolla and leave the car reviews to someone who isn't a complete retard.

Well, if you're buying a car that you'll be driving day in and day out for the next 3-4 years things like this will drive you nuts everytime you drive. Why not bring it up? If nothing else it lets Pontiac know what they need to improve.

:roll:
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: foghorn67
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
i don't care what anybody says, ford still sucks balls. i'm driving an 06 taurus as a rental and god what a piece of crap. i had a 95 and it was basically the same car.

winnar!!! way to judge a whole car company by one car.

i've seen many fords. and read many anecdotes. their vehicles are all crap... thanks for playing.
 

Black88GTA

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,430
0
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
How can anyone take CR seriously after gems like this:

Speaking of the Solstice, a two-seat roadster, Champion cited a lot of little flaws.

"There is no place to put your cell phone," he said. "The cup holders are behind you, so every time you try and take a drink, you spill your drink."

WTF?? Who the hell knocks on a car like the Solstice for lack of convenient place to put a cell phone and awkwardly placed cupholders?? :disgust: Sounds like whoever shat that one out needs to go buy a Corolla and leave the car reviews to someone who isn't a complete retard.

Well, if you're buying a car that you'll be driving day in and day out for the next 3-4 years things like this will drive you nuts everytime you drive. Why not bring it up? If nothing else it lets Pontiac know what they need to improve.

I have a hard time believing that of all the cars out there, they couldn't find a major gripe about any others that amounted to something a bit more substantial than oddly placed cupholders and no cellphone storage. Why waste article space on that?

It's one thing if the drivetrain / suspension, etc. is crappy, top leaks, etc. Fine, write that up, as those would be noteworthy flaws. But it pisses me off to see them obviously grasping at straws in order to bash the Solstice - or any car, for that matter.

Besides, nobody who buys a Solstice cares about crap like that - and if they do, then they're looking at the wrong car. People who talk on the cellphone and eat / drink in their car on a regular basis are generally not the type to buy a "driver's car" like the Solstice.

It's kind of like bagging on the Elise for having no luggage room, or the STi for having a harsh ride. The Elise was not designed as a vacation hauler, and the STi wasn't designed to be numb and detached from the road. When you judge them by those guidelines, obviously they are going to fall short in those areas. But the prospective buyers of those cars know this, and buy them anyway, because they don't care about that - just as a Solstice buyer would overlook the cupholder placement when they buy theirs.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
Originally posted by: Horus
The fusion IS a Japanese car. It's the Mazda6. No wonder it's good.
Actually, it's a global car. Part Mazda, part Volvo, part Euro-Ford, part US Ford.


The reliability wars are over, people. All new cars are reliable.
 

Stunt

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2002
9,717
2
0
Fusion was developed off the Mazda 6 platform. Mazda I still consider Japanese.
Milan and Zepher are just luxury versions of the Fusion...not much additional effort in those.

Pontiac Vibe was co-developed with Toyota (see matrix). Toyota is also a Japanese company.

US cars rise in reliability on the backs of the Japanese...
They had to do it one way or another! :p