Consumer reports rigged?

[Vipergrün]

How can there be so many Toyota/Lexus in the top 10, especially in light of recent crash test data?

To me, nothing says boring like a Toyota. I always seem to be stuck behind some a$$hat in a silver Prius doing 10 under, or some old person in a gold Camry doing 20 under the limit.....in the fast lane.

"These cars offer the best performance and dependability for your dollar, according to the popular consumer magazine."

Toyota and performance in the same sentence? Maybe the Tundra and Scion FRS, but not the ones mentioned in the article.

Consumer Reports' Best Value Cars - Small hatchback - Toyota Prius (1) - CNNMoney

I guess most people are not car people and just follow the rest of the flock.

I think Consumer Reports must be paid off or something.

[M.D. Holloway]

Or they 'make to the test'...

[RWebb]

or they are tops (this year) for the factors in the test

Toyo & Honda have traded off as #1 for decades now - I know a guy that bought one of each - they usually take the Camry on trips but like the Accord otherwise

remember - most people use cars as appliances - that is why you should support mass transit - it gets their distracted azz out of yer way

[sammyg2]

Some people don't like good, they like different.

Toyotas are good. Very good. But they don't appeal to everyone.

[azasadny]

I simply cannot abide by Consumer Reports. Their reviews do not make any sense to me at all...

[jyl]

Are you ranting or actually have a question?

If you have a question, read a bunch of CU tests, think hard about their criteria, and you'll get it.

Assuming you can wrap your head around "car as functional reliable economical appliance", rather than whatever you value in a car.

[notmytarga]

What amazes me is the people that drive cars that are panned in the ratings and aren't even value priced. It is like they went to the first car lot they saw and bought the car that fit their family size best. I see it as three groups of cars. Cars for people that want a quality vehicle that has good value, enthusiasts that want a car for a perceived attraction (sports cars, pick ups, SUVs) and the slugs that drive boats around because they got some rebate or good financing. Kaisen??

Generally I feel CU does a good job advising the first group, warning the second group and being ignored by the third. They do expend why too many pages with TV reviews - 3-4 x year.

[RWebb]

CU did a good review on the Boxster a few years ago

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by notmytarga

What amazes me is the people that drive cars that are panned in the ratings and aren't even value priced. It is like they went to the first car lot they saw and bought the car that fit their family size best. I see it as three groups of cars. Cars for people that want a quality vehicle that has good value, enthusiasts that want a car for a perceived attraction (sports cars, pick ups, SUVs) and the slugs that drive boats around because they got some rebate or good financing. Kaisen??

Generally I feel CU does a good job advising the first group, warning the second group and being ignored by the third. They do expend why too many pages with TV reviews - 3-4 x year.

Moral of the story: there's an ass for every seat.

Think of the worst car on the market......now realize that several thousand people bought one.

From a reliability standpoint, however, the worst car built today is still much more dependable than some of the best cars built 20 years ago.

[RWebb]

what IS the worst car on the market?

kia?

[asphaltgambler]

Dunno if it's the worst but the Smart car is rediculous. Has anyone ever sat in or drove one? Good Gawd. I know it's supposed to be cheap and best urban vehicle..... but it is aweful!

Funny thing is I see people here in the metro area driving them down rt 66 / 95 where the average speed is 75-80 when traffic is not heavy. Also we have one of the longest commutes in distance and time here. If I had to spend more then 5 mins in one of these, I'd shoot my eye out

[recycled sixtie]

Why would anybody in their right mind buy a Smart car when you can buy a basic new Toyota for the same price? Small Toyota is bigger, cheaper to run, reliable. That is my assessment and I see very few Smart cars here. Can u get snow tires for Smart cars?!Who knows.

[jyl]

Reason is parking.

For instance, there are many places in SF where the spacing of driveways leaves a bit of curb too small for any other car to park. If you have a Smart car, that is practically your own personal parking spot. Even with more normal-sized spaces, it is easier to park a Smart that a larger car, especially if you're not a good parker.

It is an urban car, though. I don't imagine you'd see many outside of dense urban cities.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by jyl

Reason is parking.

For instance, there are many places in SF where the spacing of driveways leaves a bit of curb too small for any other car to park. If you have a Smart car, that is practically your own personal parking spot. Even with more normal-sized spaces, it is easier to park a Smart that a larger car, especially if you're not a good parker.

It is an urban car, though. I don't imagine you'd see many outside of dense urban cities.

Good point on parking. Then I would settle for a Miata. I think Consumer Reports are pretty much right on. Reliability is their focus so Toyota rates high(but boring to drive).

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by jyl

Reason is parking.

...............................It is an urban car, though. I don't imagine you'd see many outside of dense urban cities.

THIS is what I don't get here. Most of the people who are buying these things are commuting more than 35 miles each way over major interstate highways!

The funniest thing I ever witnessed was a guys in a three piece suit with a 1gallon gas can in his hand was getting ready to put gas in his smart car because it ran out of gas in a cross-over!!!!!!!!

I was in morning traffic and could not get to my phone in time to capture that priceless pic

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by RWebb

what IS the worst car on the market?

kia?

Anything built in France. Parts start falling off as soon as you drive it off the lot. French drivers who have money and education buy German.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automobile_manufacturers_of_France

[jyl]

I drove a Peugeot 605 for six months. I found it to be an excellent car. Comfortable, quiet, economical, reliable, nothing went wrong with it. Handling was more family car than sports car - it was a four-door sedan after all - but it cruised smoothly at 100 mph on the autoroute for hours. I'd have one if they sold them in the US. It was a diesel too.

[jyl]

Thinking about it, the Smart Car was briefly popular here in Portland about 3 years ago, then it seemed to fade somewhat. A bunch of Smart dealerships went under around that time. It is lately making a resurgence here as the fleet car for a car-share program.

Are Smart Cars getting more popular in other cities at present?

[Vipergrün]

Originally Posted by jyl

Are you ranting or actually have a question?

If you have a question, read a bunch of CU tests, think hard about their criteria, and you'll get it.

Assuming you can wrap your head around "car as functional reliable economical appliance", rather than whatever you value in a car.

I was just dumbfounded, that's all. Especially the part about performance. Read about recent issues with the crash tests. Factor in that, and all of the recent recalls, I just did not understand how Toyota could gain so many slots in the top 10.

BTW, it seems Hyundai and Kia have come a long way. Ford has some interesting stuff, Honda is still pretty vanilla, but good and reliable.

Just seemed odd to see so much Toyota.....

End rant :-)

[jyl]

I don't know how CU factors crash testing. The "recent issues" are, AFAIK, on one test that the II has just started using. Maybe that isn't (yet?) a big enough issue to affect ratings.

I'm sure recalls factor in, but long-term reliability is probably a much larger factor. Toyota has built up a very strong long-term record. Even if Hyundai's 2012 models are every bit as well-constructed, there is no real proof of that yet, it will take years to establish a long-term record. Ditto Ford, etc.

The global auto market is becoming more competitive, formerly peripheral brands like Kia are making good cars, Detroit is fixing its reliability and design weaknesses, Toyota is staying conservative which may give everyone else a chance to pass them. In 5 years, will Toyotas still dominate CU's list? My personal bet is "no", I think they wil be well represented but no longer so strong.

But I think you will still be puzzled about why cars you consider"boring" are still topping CU's recommendations.