Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey (updated October 2011)
Driver
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: CA
While you, of course, are entitled to your opinion, most of us feel that CR is one of the best sources out there (if not THE best) for auto reliability. True, they don't do the same kind of sport-oriented testing that the enthusiast mags do, but that is not their purpose.
For example, EVO X & 370Z:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pJSZVMOHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAndC05ZXzY
F is for Fraud
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Québec
And the new XK as well, at least the new powerplants. And I don't know if the new XJ (X351) is out yet. Regardless, Jags have always been exceptionally well built - the attention to detail is staggering, and you simply can't deny that. Their motorizations have always been quite reliable, but as with all European cars it's the electronics that fell short.
F is for Fraud
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,174
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From: Québec
I don't get why people rag on Consumer Reports. They probably test their vehicles to the same degree as C&D, MT, and R&T. It's not like they have grandma's testing their cars at 20 MPH.
For example, EVO X & 370Z:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pJSZVMOHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAndC05ZXzY
For example, EVO X & 370Z:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pJSZVMOHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAndC05ZXzY
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
CR, in general, tests for reasonable safety, acceleration, braking, and handling figures, but doesn't rag their cars out as much or abuse the drive train like the enthusiast mags, trying to get absolute lowest 0-60 and quarter-mile times.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
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From: CA
This is now several instances where the ranking for TMC has been Scion-Toyota-Lexus; sometimes it's been Lexus-Toyota-Scion, and perhaps another combo as well. But I'm wondering whether the more mechanically and electronically complex luxury vehicles, in general, are having a harder time topping the charts (with the addition of cameras, sensors, multiple infotainment, more and more speakers, etc). Moreover, the point about range was made...one can see that Honda, Toyota, Lexus, and Mercedes reach the highest points on the % more reliable range, but overall the average ranks them differently to certain degrees.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,428
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From: NC
Mitsubishi
Interesting to see how high Mitsubishi is. Correct me if I am wrong, but did they not, a few years ago, hire the guy that helped turn Hyundai around? If so, interesting that Mitsubishi is now 2 spots higher than Hyundai.
The differences w/ J.D. Powers is also of note: Subaru did not do so well on this one .........
The differences w/ J.D. Powers is also of note: Subaru did not do so well on this one .........
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Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 504
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From: Vancouver, BC
Just saw this on the news. I have no idea how the GS AWD is any worse than a regular GS (not that the GS has many issues either way). There is no issue with the AWD system (unless you count not able to lower it as much as a RWD as a reliability issue).
What shocked me most was the following:
Source
How is the GS worst in the class? I guess the 5 series or equivilent Mercedes (E? class) aren't rated in order for this to be true. As they have actually issues that make the car not work.
I do admit the GS has issues, but nowhere near the issues that other cars in the class have.
Pure B.S. Lexus should sue them and force them to do a fair comparison of cars in the class.
What shocked me most was the following:
Even good brands falter. Among the least reliable vehicles in their respective classes are the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS, the Nissan Versa sedan, and the Subaru Impreza WRX. The Lexus GS AWD is the only Toyota mod*el with below average reliability.
How is the GS worst in the class? I guess the 5 series or equivilent Mercedes (E? class) aren't rated in order for this to be true. As they have actually issues that make the car not work.
I do admit the GS has issues, but nowhere near the issues that other cars in the class have.
Pure B.S. Lexus should sue them and force them to do a fair comparison of cars in the class.
F is for Fraud
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,174
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From: Québec
The equivalent 5-Series from BMW or E-Class from Mercedes-Benz, or even the A6 from Audi, surely can't be as reliable or dependable as the GS from Lexus, whether it be AWD or RWD. This is why these reliability rankings should be taken with a grain of salt.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 504
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From: Vancouver, BC
Ok, just found this for the GS AWD
Major brake issues? I've never heard of anybody complaining about the brakes apart from dust.
Fuel system? Audio? Did they just fudge these??
I think the issue is the GS fell through the cracks so to speak. According to the site, there are only 2 GS: GS 300 and GS 450h. Yes, that's right, all of them are GS 300 even for 2008!
Also, the GS RWD is above average and recommended! WTF?
Major brake issues? I've never heard of anybody complaining about the brakes apart from dust.
Fuel system? Audio? Did they just fudge these??
I think the issue is the GS fell through the cracks so to speak. According to the site, there are only 2 GS: GS 300 and GS 450h. Yes, that's right, all of them are GS 300 even for 2008!
Also, the GS RWD is above average and recommended! WTF?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
And, as far as appealing to a broad audience, Outbacks/Impreza Wagons are one of the best-selling AWD wagons on the market, far outdoing the Audi All-Road, Volvo XC70, Ford Freestyle, Toyota Venza, and similiar vehicles.
I was so impressed with the Outback that I bought one myself. And the WRX has a huge following in this area......I don't have hard figures, but the WRX seems, right offhand, to be outselling the base Imprezas.
Last edited by mmarshall; Oct 27, 2009 at 07:23 PM.
F is for Fraud
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Québec
I did not say that Subarus were not reliable, I said that they did not appeal to the broader population. They are not necessarily affordable, they are very expensive to maintain for cars their price, and they aren't exactly pretty. A brake job on a WRX around here is in upwards of $6000 when all is said and done; I reckon a brake job on my R8 is cheaper. They also have sub-par automatic transmissions, which in this day-and-age is unacceptable.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,428
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From: NC
Subaru
The reason that I brought up Subaru is bc I thought I remember them ranking like 3rd on a recent JD Powers survey ... even higher than Toyota ... but I must have been dreaming bc despite all my searching, I cannot find that info.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A brake job on a WRX around here is in upwards of $6000 when all is said and done; I reckon a brake job on my R8 is cheaper.
Wait a minute. $6000 for WRX brakes? Somebody is getting taken to the cleaners. Even though WRX brakes are larger then those of regular Imprezas, they should run a couple of hundered dollars....even all four should be well under $1000. The STi, of course, has more expensive Brembos, but even so, should not run anywhere near $6000, given a normal brake job without added work.
They also have sub-par automatic transmissions, which in this day-and-age is unacceptable.