Consumer Reports releases new reliability info, satisfaction info and recommendation

[cwerdna]

There are tons of articles floating around reporting different bits of info. Here are some examples.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../703010358/1148
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...28/038637.html
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...28/038638.html
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...28/038606.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20070301/pl_u...lincoln_improve
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070301/ap_on_...o_reliability_8

You can definitely find more via searches like this:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p...s+toyota&c=.

Most of the info isn't too surprising to me since I follow CR.

[daniel]

I just glanced briefly at the top link. I was surprised that Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily) scored tops among domestic automakers.

[Chuck.]

I like that Consumer Reports has not ties whatsoever to any products.

CNNMoney Best Car Gallery > http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/...icks/index.html

The score:

Toyota - 4
Honda - 3
Infiniti(Nissian) - 2
Mazada - 1
Detroit - 0
Europe - 0


Is it too much to ask Detroit to simply make the best cars? It's the American way.

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Mar 1 2007, 06:32 AM) [snapback]398405[/snapback]</div>

Is it too much to ask Detroit to simply make the best cars? It's the American way.
[/b]

The American way is to make the most profit for investors. They don't do that very well, either. But making the best cars would require a commitment to the consumer, and that is a concept Detroit has always fought against tooth and nail.

[cwerdna]

This list is another nice addition to the thread.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-0...port-list_x.htm

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Mar 1 2007, 01:08 PM) [snapback]398571[/snapback]</div>

This list is another nice addition to the thread.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-0...port-list_x.htm
[/b]

So much for the "hybrid premium".

I notice that unless you buy a budget or small car, you'll pay as much or more for another car as you will for a Prius.

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Mar 1 2007, 11:23 AM) [snapback]398620[/snapback]</div>

So much for the "hybrid premium".

I notice that unless you buy a budget or small car, you'll pay as much or more for another car as you will for a Prius.
[/b]

I'm going to have to disagree w/the above. There's definitely still an upfront price premium. Here are some examples and some Edmunds TMVs for midsize 4 cylinder cars. All these cars have way more power and the first two cars (maybe all 3) should have more interior room than a Prius.
Nissan Altima 2.5S (175 hp 4) w/CVT: $20915
Camry CE (158 hp 4) w/auto: $19678 (I see some advertised locally at http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ad...74&cat=3379 for $17988)
Pontiac G6 base (169 hp 4) w/auto: $17,765 after $1K incentive

As you pointed out as well, you can definitely get budget/small cars for much cheaper. Here are some examples:
A local dealer is advertising a Corolla CE at http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ad...51&cat=3379 for $12988.
http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ad...72&cat=3379 Ford Focus for $9995.