Topic: The latest Consumer Reports reliability ratings--some thoughts

[initial_D]

So far I have better reliability out of my 1998 VW than my 2002 Honda.  That seems like a statistical abnormality.      Lets see if either of them will make it to when my kids are old enough to drive in a few years.  Ouch, I can feel the insurance pain just thinking about it...

Move to Saskatchewan for lower insurance! You can always build your own.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

How did the Land Rover LR3 fare?

Have a peek yourself:

Could be worse.

[dr_spock]

So far I have better reliability out of my 1998 VW than my 2002 Honda.  That seems like a statistical abnormality.      Lets see if either of them will make it to when my kids are old enough to drive in a few years.  Ouch, I can feel the insurance pain just thinking about it...

Move to Saskatchewan for lower insurance! You can always build your own.

I don't think my spouse would want to move back to Saskatoon.  Lower insurance is enticing though. 

Yup, Lego is ultra-reliable.   30+ years Lego can still work today without any problems. 

 

[safristi]

..ya ain't kiddin' pardner...SNAP right TO IT................. ....that may be a sore point fer some tho'.......

  Saf with a ship load O' Lego Bits in his Dungeon err'''basement...................

[ktm525]

How did the Land Rover LR3 fare?

Have a peek yourself:

Could be worse.

Yeah Baby! Only half a black circle . I'll get some pics up of the new LR soon.

[Ontariodriver]

I'm most surprised the Freestar is one of the most reliable vans. That is turn around for the books.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Ford/Freestar/2007/Minivan/ratings

[ktm525]

I'm most surprised the Freestar is one of the most reliable vans. That is turn around for the books.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Ford/Freestar/2007/Minivan/ratings

You sure you are not confused with the Windstar? (the real Ford Minivan). The Freestar was that Volvo derived 3 row seat vehicle that was renamed the Taurus X. I wouldn't call the Freestar a minivan..

[Shnak]

I'm most surprised the Freestar is one of the most reliable vans. That is turn around for the books.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Ford/Freestar/2007/Minivan/ratings

You sure you are not confused with the Windstar? (the real Ford Minivan). The Freestar was that Volvo derived 3 row seat vehicle that was renamed the Taurus X. I wouldn't call the Freestar a minivan..

Nope, you're thinking of the FreeSTYLE. The Freestar was the renamed Windstar.

[ktm525]

I'm most surprised the Freestar is one of the most reliable vans. That is turn around for the books.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Ford/Freestar/2007/Minivan/ratings

You sure you are not confused with the Windstar? (the real Ford Minivan). The Freestar was that Volvo derived 3 row seat vehicle that was renamed the Taurus X. I wouldn't call the Freestar a minivan..

YNope, you're thinking of the FreeSTYLE. The Freestar was the renamed Windstar.

Wow I was completely out of it on that one. I guess I don't have a love of the Ford minivan I rented the big minivan (Freestar?) about 6 years back in Hawaii. A real POS. With 5k on the clock it rattled and the side door kept springing open.

[Mitlov]

I don't know how it was to drive, but the Freestyle was actually pretty cool.  It was the only vehicle I know of that provided comfortable, roomy seating for six adults while simultaneously offering better fuel economy (in FWD trim) then your typical minivan.  I think it's main problem was that, like the R-Class, it was a vehicle without a genre, and buyers didn't know what to think of it, and didn't come in asking for it.  It wasn't a minivan, it wasn't a crossover SUV, it was...a...something.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Dad's Freestar is 5 years old now. Regular maintenance and nothing more, well aside from a new passenger door after being run over by a Freightliner.

(Background for those unfamiliar with that story)

He's planing on keeping it for a few more years at least: it's paid for, it's reliable, and the resale is realy low.

[Nathan@1010tires]

Mine spent one day in the shop when I was on vacation in NS. Bought March 14th 2008, currently sitting at 59k. Rattles? There's one coming from the dash that I need to get fixed.

I'm curious, is yours lowered Nathan?

Of course  .

I see where you are going, and it is a valid point. I will also say however I had a '91 Civic before this thing which was also lowered, had triple the mileage and rattled less.

The issue I had with the electrical however, was beyond a nightmare. The hatch would not open and it took the dealer 5.5 weeks to figure it out, they even flew out techs from Toronto to look at it. That stupid handle is a classis case of over-engineering.

On the other hand, I hit a rock on the highway at 130 about ten days ago, sounded like a grenade went off. My oil pan has about a navel orange sized dent and the subframe looks like someone bit a big chunk out of it. I have a new pan in the mail but I have driven it about 1000 kms since without issue... lol.

I have my eyes on a 2.0T Gen Coupe GT next though. I need RWD in my life again. 

[vdk]

Mine spent one day in the shop when I was on vacation in NS. Bought March 14th 2008, currently sitting at 59k. Rattles? There's one coming from the dash that I need to get fixed.

I'm curious, is yours lowered Nathan?

Of course  .

I see where you are going, and it is a valid point. I will also say however I had a '91 Civic before this thing which was also lowered, had triple the mileage and rattled less.

The issue I had with the electrical however, was beyond a nightmare. The hatch would not open and it took the dealer 5.5 weeks to figure it out, they even flew out techs from Toronto to look at it. That stupid handle is a classis case of over-engineering.

On the other hand, I hit a rock on the highway at 130 about ten days ago, sounded like a grenade went off. My oil pan has about a navel orange sized dent and the subframe looks like someone bit a big chunk out of it. I have a new pan in the mail but I have driven it about 1000 kms since without issue... lol.

I have my eyes on a 2.0T Gen Coupe GT next though. I need RWD in my life again. 

How low can you go?  It's probably part of the reason why, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

A co-worker bought a new Civic coupe last fall. The hood is pretty heavily chipped already. The centre console doesn't really rattle, but there are a number of little squeaks coming from it. She has had an ongoing issue with the rear struts. They are really noisy, and the dealer can't isolate the issue.

I recommended the car to her, so I get to hear all about the issues as they develop.

[Nathan@1010tires]

A co-worker bought a new Civic coupe last fall. The hood is pretty heavily chipped already. The centre console doesn't really rattle, but there are a number of little squeaks coming from it. She has had an ongoing issue with the rear struts. They are really noisy, and the dealer can't isolate the issue.

I recommended the car to her, so I get to hear all about the issues as they develop.

One of my good buddies (best man at my wedding) is one of Hondas top techs in the area. He is adamant the new Civics are not as well built as the ones from the mid to late 90's. As an example he says the front suspension on the older ones was good for 300k no problem, the newer ones may get half that. He says the new ones are still good, just not as good, and I tend to believe him.

[DrJay]

A co-worker bought a new Civic coupe last fall. The hood is pretty heavily chipped already. The centre console doesn't really rattle, but there are a number of little squeaks coming from it. She has had an ongoing issue with the rear struts. They are really noisy, and the dealer can't isolate the issue.

I recommended the car to her, so I get to hear all about the issues as they develop.

One of my good buddies (best man at my wedding) is one of Hondas top techs in the area. He is adamant the new Civics are not as well built as the ones from the mid to late 90's. As an example he says the front suspension on the older ones was good for 300k no problem, the newer ones may get half that. He says the new ones are still good, just not as good, and I tend to believe him.

Funny The service manager at the Honda Dealership where my wife and I leased ours said the same about our 07 Fit. Set of brakes before it hit 25,000kms $400.00 set of Tires shortly before it hit 50,000.kms $500.00 Telling Honda what to do with their Fit and how to get it there after the lease is up....Priceless

[Ex-airbalancer]

A co-worker bought a new Civic coupe last fall. The hood is pretty heavily chipped already. The centre console doesn't really rattle, but there are a number of little squeaks coming from it. She has had an ongoing issue with the rear struts. They are really noisy, and the dealer can't isolate the issue.

I recommended the car to her, so I get to hear all about the issues as they develop.

If they paved the road where you lived , that would help preventing  the stone chips     

[Erik]

A co-worker bought a new Civic coupe last fall. The hood is pretty heavily chipped already. The centre console doesn't really rattle, but there are a number of little squeaks coming from it. She has had an ongoing issue with the rear struts. They are really noisy, and the dealer can't isolate the issue.

I recommended the car to her, so I get to hear all about the issues as they develop.

When I was testing every damn econo box in the world a year or two ago, I noticed the noisy rears struts on the Civic. Just figured it was poor engineering on Hondas part. Damn disappointing, because they sure didn't do that in the 80's and 90's.

[dr_spock]

When I was testing every damn econo box in the world a year or two ago, I noticed the noisy rears struts on the Civic. Just figured it was poor engineering on Hondas part. Damn disappointing, because they sure didn't do that in the 80's and 90's.

I found a fix for that noise problem.  I crank up the radio in my gen 7 Civic and the noise from the rear passenger side be gone. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

A co-worker bought a new Civic coupe last fall. The hood is pretty heavily chipped already. The centre console doesn't really rattle, but there are a number of little squeaks coming from it. She has had an ongoing issue with the rear struts. They are really noisy, and the dealer can't isolate the issue.

I recommended the car to her, so I get to hear all about the issues as they develop.

If they paved the road where you lived , that would help preventing  the stone chips