Comments on: How did your car rate? Mine did ok.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:43:17 +0000

I’ve car-shopped online extensively over the past year. From reading consumer reviews at various automotive sites (Edmunds.com, kbb.com, etc.) I’ve noticed the vast majority of consumers LOVE their cars. I agree with Harry Heller’s and Kelly Heatly’s views that cognitive dissonance drives this. Consumer Reports’ and JD Power’s ratings are more meaningful to me.

I do find it interesting how close the scores fall; and that the classic gold standard, Mercedes, is just one point above average.

As for what I drive - I have an ‘02 Oldsmobile Intrigue that I’m having a hard time parting with. It wasn’t my first choice (others’ opinions and some unusual circumstances led to the selection) but I’m having a hard time finding something I like better. Go figure…

By: Kelly Heatly

Kelly Heatly — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:43:54 +0000

It’s interesting that customer sat does not always align with reliability. The latest Consumer Reports reliability survey rates several GM cars low on the list, but GM customer sat ratings look pretty good here. How many GM lifers and loyalists answered the survey?

I’m happy with my VW Passat but it bombed on the CS reliability and rated pretty low here, too. It looks like Lexus, Toyota, and Honda rate high on both reliability and customer sat. Makes me think about my next car, but I love my VW for whatever reason.

I agree with Harry Heller on the cognitive dissonance, but I wonder what these customers will buy next? Inertia can be a powerful thing!

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:57:45 +0000

Kenyon,

Thanks for the comments. I remember the first time I saw the car - loved it than and still do. I also recall the blue mustang you showed up with at Hofstra our freshman year.

Great memories!

Merrill

By: Kenyon

Kenyon — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:22:00 +0000

Merrill,

As you know I’m a car enthusiast. I just attended the LA Auto show and there were many times when the machinery around me was a turn on. I own 2 cars, the BMW X-5 which is my family car (necessary evil with 2 little kids riding around behind me) does everything it’s supposed to do. It looks good, has power and handles well. But, like you described it gets me from point A to point B. My other car is a 1981 Mazda RX-7 with over 250K miles which runs great. This car is really something I love and will never sell. I spend a lot of time and money finding parts and up-keeping/improving the car and it’s usually just around showroom condition. There are very few cars I’ve seen that look better or drive better. I test drove the new RX-8 and that car is a pure adrenaline rush. I was ready to buy it, but the dealer decided to leave me to take a telephone call. At some point I’d like to get one as my third car. I can’t imagine a better car than the Mazda Rotary and would recommend it to anyone as a fun sports car.

By: Ruthann Chesnoff

Ruthann Chesnoff — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:17:15 +0000

I have heard horror stories about Jaguar’s from many people that owned them years ago. I believe they were taken over by Ford a few years ago and my experience with my Jaguar is wonderful. I have it for 3 years and never had a single problem with it. I love it. I love it because not only does it run well its styling is different from most cars today!
I think most cars today are much better mechanically but much worse in the materials that they use for the outer trims.

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:25:49 +0000

Harry,

Thanks for your comments. My sister just got a Volvo and loves it - no issues with your Jaguar? That is nice to hear - I know a few folks who have had lot’s of issues.

Merrill

By: Harry Heller

Harry Heller — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:29:47 +0000

My last two cars (which I loved) are not on the list. Jaguar and Volvo.

Either they are real lousy (not my experience) or the sample size to judge them is too small.

There may be a flaw in the Michigan Study. Overall satisfaction of a car you own may be elevated by brand image and cognitive dissonance — the likelihood to support a decision you made by elevating you opinion of the object of the decision. I much prefer the JD Power method which compares actual experience with a car with that of owners of other cars.

But whatever the rating — drive safely!!!

By: Jason Ulichnie

Jason Ulichnie — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:19:31 +0000

I drive a Dodge, and it’s a tank. I’ve been in two major accidents in my life, both in Dodge’s, and I was able to walk away.

I don’t know what an 80 means, but if it means tank, then I’m good.

By: Fee Sepahi

Fee Sepahi — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:56:32 +0000

I am on my 3rd generation Honda and the Accord I owned a couple of years ago, was the only problem one, that essentially had to be “short blocked” for you tech types (meaning they replaced the bottom half of the engine). Never left me anywhere but was burning through oil. Eventually through a great deal of correspondence with Honda of NA, they took the entire car back, a year later, and gave me the option to upgrade to a CRV, which is my current vehicle and running smoothly!
My first Honda Civic managed to last a healthy 140k miles and I eventually sold it on ebay, 10 years later, for a nice return, given it’s advanced age and needing a new clutch and transmission…..
I’m glad to see Honda holding themselves up there, above average!

By: Bob Graham

Bob Graham — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:31:42 +0000

I still drive a 93 Mustang Convertible LX. It has over 230,000 miles on it. I only had one bad breakdown (the clutch went while I was driving from Dallas to St Louis, but I knew the clutch was due for replacement and should have replaced it before the trip, so it was my fault, not the car’s).

I’ve held on to it because it was everything I always wanted in a car: convertible top, V-8 engine and is still fun to drive. My daughters used to bug me about replacing it (until their boyfriends informed them of it’s “classic” status), but the dogs and I love it. It is also the last year of the “fox” body style and I like that better than the more rounded styles that have come into play since then. It’s also close to maroon (UMASS color), has vanity plates that say “UMASS 1″ and a Red Sox 2004 Champion decal in the rear view mirror (so popular here in St Louis…).

So I’m a little disappointed that “First On Race Day” finished more like “Found On Road Dead” in the satisfaction study, but that’s OK. I know the value of Old Betsy and it’s good enough for me.