Highest Rated Comments


veganinsight31 karma

I used to participate in a reliability study called “true delta” and their main focus was on unscheduled trips to the repair shop.

I found this metric to be a great barometer for how reliable a vehicle is (in the traditional sense of the word) and weeded out things like misaligned trim which (for me) can wait until the next service visit.

If something can wait until the next service visit to be dealt with, I still consider the vehicle reliable. If I must take unscheduled time to deal with it, I consider the vehicle to be unreliable.

Does Consumer Reports plan to start separating things like powertrain failures or brake/suspension malfunctions (what I consider needing immediate attention) from things like loose carpet, misaligned window trim, or glitchy Bluetooth connection interfaces?

I feel like casting “unreliable” across headlines for these five models is perhaps an unrealistic way to present it. That word, to me, equates with being left stranded on the side of the road, not with asking the dealer to adjust chrome trim pieces while the car is in for a scheduled tire rotation.

veganinsight18 karma

Thanks for the clarification. As a subscriber the way you describe these cars is not helpful, honestly. “Unreliable” is a very severe word to me in regards to an automobile.

I had an unreliable VW and it left me on the side of the road and needed a stack of unscheduled repairs and time off of work to deal with it. The same car had absolutely impeccable fit and finish, perfect paint, and flawless trim fitment.

I would really like to see your ratings broken out into genuine reliability problems (mechanical things that are broken) and irritations (trim, paint, infotainment). Being unable to determine, as a subscriber, how these very different concerns are lumped together negates the ratings for me. I just largely ignore your auto ratings when shopping for a car because of this even though I’m a big fan of your testing procedures and the publication in general.

veganinsight7 karma

Thanks for participating in this AMA and replying to my concern, it’s super cool of you. I also enjoy your CR show on YouTube and love hearing about the nitty-gritty in your auto testing.

veganinsight5 karma

Oh I meant weak-willed. Like for cheese. I felt fine haha.

veganinsight4 karma

Was vegan but I’m too weak. Just vegetarian now. One of the two since 1998 :-)