Consumer Reports: Most Reliable Used Cars for 2009
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: tech capital
It's probably fair to say that you can find anecdotal reports of good and bad "experienced" cars just about anywhere. Our '92 Plymouth minivan (Project Cheapskate) just turned over 100K miles last week and is still returning a solid 20+ mpg in city driving. Still no serious problems. Obviously Chrysler Corp. once knew how to do something right.
, but that's not really much of an accomplishment for Toyotas and Hondas that I've owned with high mileage.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
It's probably fair to say that you can find anecdotal reports of good and bad "experienced" cars just about anywhere. Our '92 Plymouth minivan (Project Cheapskate) just turned over 100K miles last week and is still returning a solid 20+ mpg in city driving. Still no serious problems. Obviously Chrysler Corp. once knew how to do something right.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 349
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From: CA
I'm so sick and tired of CR Cars reliability ratings it's nauseating; These are the type of reports that re-enforce the perceptions of the general buying public about cars; it can be summed up in this sentence:
American cars are junk and Japanese cars are great.
There are also perceptions about Japanese cars where the consensus is that Honda and Toyota are better than the rest.
I think the metrics used by CR to measure the reliability of a toaster or a DVD player do no apply to cars; the only measure of reliability of a car is a 50K long term test, everything else is utter crap.
I think most cars (except exotics) produced in the last 5 years are fairly reliable as long as they're maintained well by their owners.
FYI, I drive a Japanese car.
American cars are junk and Japanese cars are great.
There are also perceptions about Japanese cars where the consensus is that Honda and Toyota are better than the rest.
I think the metrics used by CR to measure the reliability of a toaster or a DVD player do no apply to cars; the only measure of reliability of a car is a 50K long term test, everything else is utter crap.
I think most cars (except exotics) produced in the last 5 years are fairly reliable as long as they're maintained well by their owners.
FYI, I drive a Japanese car.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,279
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From: CA
I tend to agree,madmax. From reading CR exclusively, one could derive the mindset that the only truely "good" cars are imports from Japan. They completely negate innovations, design detailing, and road manners in their testing. It's reliability and cost of ownership which dominates their ratings criteria. There's nothing wrong with that persay, just the reader needs to be aware.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: MD
But then again, the reliability ratings for JD Power and Autobild aren't that different from CR's.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,626
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
No. That is incorrect. While Japanese-designed cars DO tend to dominate the reliability ratings (and for good reason), CR is quick to give American and European-designed vehicles credit when it is due. For example, many Ford products, lately, have shown good reliability, almost to Japanese levels, and CR has noted that. CR is also noting the improvements in the reliability of several Mercedes products, after years of being in the tank.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: tech capital
While Japanese-designed cars DO tend to dominate the reliability ratings (and for good reason), CR is quick to give American and European-designed vehicles credit when it is due. For example, many Ford products, lately, have shown good reliability, almost to Japanese levels, and CR has noted that. CR is also noting the improvements in the reliability of several Mercedes products, after years of being in the tank.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,626
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I agree and I've put the CR reliability data to the test on several Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche, Ford, GM vehicles that I've actually owned. The ownership experiences from a reliability standpoint closely mirrored the reliability charts that CR publishes.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Coral Springs, Fl
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,626
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I think most cars (except exotics) produced in the last 5 years are fairly reliable as long as they're maintained well by their owners.
FYI, I drive a Japanese car.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
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From: tech capital
For example I owned a Toyota Highlander for 3 years, and by the 2nd day I owned it I knew this car was going to be very boring, but very practical as a daily driver. Fortunately I also had a Porsche and Mercedes in the garage to mix things up.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,626
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
So true with many Japanese cars.
For example I owned a Toyota Highlander for 3 years, and by the 2nd day I owned it I knew this car was going to be very boring, but very practical as a daily driver. Fortunately I also had a Porsche and Mercedes in the garage to mix things up.
For example I owned a Toyota Highlander for 3 years, and by the 2nd day I owned it I knew this car was going to be very boring, but very practical as a daily driver. Fortunately I also had a Porsche and Mercedes in the garage to mix things up.
And Porsche and Mercedes service/repair, when not free or warranty-covered, costs big $$$$$.