thought this was interesting:

note rivian is top of one and bottom of the other, lol.




https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ran...rands-in-2024/

 

I had thought that CR's reliability ratings, over the past 10 years, became too focused on infotainment factors, and I wouldn't be surprised if Rivian's 1st and worst showings are indicative of this.

 

Thats a lot of brands not included...



But I do agree with the concept. Driving cars from two very lowly rated brands for reliability I have greater vehicle satisfaction than I have had overall probably at any time I have owned cars,

 

It just goes to show that not everyone values "reliability" (whatever that means in this day and age) the same. It's not the 1980s when an "unreliable" car left you constantly stranded on the side of the road....

 

Exactly. I've said it before, I would much rather have a car that I really love that needs a couple repairs a year than a car that bores me that never needs a repair.

 

It just has to be reliable enough.....but if a car is amazing and provides a stand out experience you don't really care if you need to fix it slightly more often.

If a boring car needs something you don't even want to spend $50

 

Hyundai and Volvo are apparently as appealing as they are reliable.

 

Volvo, and to a slightly lesser extent Mercedes, have always appealed to those who, irregardless of reliability, are primarily concerned with safety. Those two brands developed (and perfected) many of the most important safety devices we have today.

 

I think Volvo has more consumers who prioritize safety than Mercedes.

 

I tend to agree with Steve, at least to some extent. In general, although they don't compare with a Mercedes S-class, I personally find Buicks, GMCs, and Lincolns, especially the versions with higher-profile tires and smaller wheels, the most pleasant brands to drive. They drive the closest to the way I like a vehicle to drive. But neither of these three are currently among the most reliable, although Buick has ranked very high (almost on a par with Lexus), until the last year or two, when they slipped several notches.

 

Yes...that's why I said, to a slightly lesser extent, Mercedes. But the S-class has always had a reputation for a lot of safety devices.

 

And thats not to say that I was not fulfilled by my Lexus cars, I was...they just don't make cars like them anymore and I'm 100% satisfied that I gave up the reliability rating to choose cars that I really enjoy.

Take the van, I have had issues with Pacificas and Jeeps but when I sit in a Sienna, I would never be happy with that because of how cheap it feels inside and out. Trading that reliability was well worth it.

 

Perhaps I should edit my comments to say that, for the money, I find those three brands the most satisfying to drive. One of the standards I judge a vehicle by is how much driving satisfaction it delivers vs. how much it costs. Where it is built, and if Union or Non-Union, also pays a role if I would buy it or not. Buicks, in general, list-price, run $25-65K....which is quite reasonably-priced by today's standards. GMCs start a little higher, and Lincolns a little higher yet, and both GMCs and Lincolns can run $100K or more.

 

Chasing down a cammed 427 C6 Z06 in a reliable 4 banger Honda is satisfying to me 🙃💀

 

but you're not the same person and you're now willing (and able) to spend a LOT more to move up market. different times, different resources, different results.

i think you're impressed by the pacifica having "nappa leather" and being a phev (a neat feature with benefits for sure).