Consumer Reports doesn't accept outside advertising so even though they test everything from a to z you can count on them not to be pressured to give biased opinions.

 

I've found the Consumer Reports synopsis to closely match their more detailed reviews. They don't always have the same focus as I do, but their approach to cars seems to have shifted quite a bit over the years. There was a time when I would not expect to see any positive review of "fun" cars.

They do provide another data point and, as such, are a reasonable reference for aiding decision making. The no-advertiser policy also makes their opinion clearly unbiased by manufacturers. You can argue whether they have other biases, but not that one.

Tony

 

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Speed,

Although Motor Trend makes a good argument in favor of this being relevant, I can tell you from past experience that MOST reputable magazines have a pretty clear separation between the editorial and advertisng departments. In fact, most editorial content is set several months in advance, such that it's very tough to get "to the market" with up-to-the-minute coverage (unless you're a weekly, or a pub with small page counts). In contrast, the ad content (which they generally don't have to lay out, it comes ready to throw into the signatures) may come in very close to print time.

CS uses that line to sell magazines, and boost the perceived value. In most cases, it makes absolutely no difference. The fact that they make such a big deal out of it in their advertising, when they know it's not truly an issue, makes them even less credible to me.

However, I have lots of friends who swear by CS, so... to each his own.

Tim

 

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damn i'm retarded. I have an 02. Where is the clock at??

 

I hope you're not serious but if you are...

Its in the radio.

 

Consumer reports sends a survey each year to all the members/subscribers. They ask a lot of questions, but as it relates to cars they ask what you have, how long you owned it, and what if any problems you had in the past year. That is where the reliability rating for the cars comes from. They do have a large subscriber base, but it is just a sampling of based on the folks who get the survey and (more important) bother to send them back. The same survey is used to guage the reliability of TVs, stereos, CD players, washing machines, etc - all based on the problems reported on the survey.

CR is doing a better job of including "fun to drive" in their reviews - they no longer downgrade a sports car for having a stiff ride. What I do like is that they always give you the same info about all the cars - storage space, seat comfort, etc. So many of the car mags give you 0-60 times but don't mention that the seats (or safety) is terrible.

I would not use them as the sole (or major) deciging point on buying a new car, but I would tend to check the survey results if buying a used car for one of my kids. I put a little more faith in their non-car tests (with the exception of the speaker review mentioned before).

As to the 'vette VS S2000 "comparision" - I have owned both and for the money the S2000 is more fun and should be for sure more reliable than my 'vette was. I would have ranked them the same way if I were rating them.

I got 28-29mpg on the Interstate on a trip (with the top down), 23-24 for driving in the mountains (top down). So I can see how their mileage would be possible - for sure with the top up.

Dennis

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hondafan
[B]So much for being on the Lemon List.

 

Tim I respect your opinions, however Consumer Reports reliability and repair records come directly from owners of the cars, like me. They are not derived by the editors. I agree that I did not use CR to guide me to the purchase of my S, however I use it for lots of other comparisons, and the repair records do reflect real statistics. I feel when reading the car magazines they often offer too much fluff in their review of new models. In my opinion, the fact that these other mags accept products and revenue from the manufacturers does make a difference in many instances. I do agree that CR does not strictly focus on cars, thus they are probably less attuned to the many features of every model out there, but their reporting on the cars they do test has proved accurate in my case. They've sure pegged a couple of the junkers I've owned in the past.

To each his own......peace.

Joser
Silver/Red