Buying a new car, well used car.

[ead79]

Funny thing...so do GM and Chrysler

To think Consumers Reports has NO agenda is They're in the business of selling their information. Last I checked, interpretation of data is usually colored by the glasses the interpreter is wearing. In fact, there's been studies that involved sticking a Toyota badge on a GM car. Funny thing....that "Toyota" was suddenly a much better car than the "GM" car.

Yes, but the only way they can continue to sell their information is to have a reputation of providing accurate information. As long as CR has been around, it would have been proven long ago if their information was incorrect. I don't see how you can easily "color" information about average number of repairs or average dollar amount of repairs for each model year and each type of vehicle. If they just outright lied, then their info would no longer be respected, and thus would no longer be valuable. Then no on would buy it. I don't see that CR has anything at all to gain by rating imports highly if it isn't the truth. As they say, "the truth would out," and then CR's reputation would be ruined.

 

[novajeanjellybean]

I am going to ignore the whole fool comment as I did what was best for me and my household and if that makes me a fool, so be it.

I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[missypie]

I'll add my 2 cents as well. I personally think that the person who buys someone else's problems (with whatever, if any, warranty is left over) is the fool. In today's market with the incentives, great rates being offered, and unbeatable warranties, it makes more sense to buy new. You know what you're getting, and you can rest assured that if something goes wrong, it's covered.
That's why I just bought a brand-spanking new 2009 Hyundai Elantra. Great 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, and a really GREAT low interest rate. Good for you if you're able to pay cash. But my payments are close to same as cash. So call me a fool. To each his own. I personally think that you're the one making the foolish purchase, not knowing where your car came from and where it's been.

We've been a Toyota family since 1992. But last year when I was shopping for Son's car, Hyundai and Honda had great deals and Toyota did not, so we bought Son an Elantra. Now in the market for D's car...she wanted small, but the tiny ones (Yaris, Fit and Accent) make me nervous safety-wise, so I'm looking a size larger. Once again, Hyundai and Honda have quoted great prices, with low interest rates; Toyota is quoting higher prices and the incentives go away if you finance.

It looks like it's going to be another Elantra. D thinks the Civic looks too much like a "mom car."

I'm trying to figure out whether to finance. We were saving money in a mutual fund for the car, but the value has gone way down. It might be better to pay the 4% interest than to sell the fund at a loss.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, but the only way they can continue to sell their information is to have a reputation of providing accurate information. As long as CR has been around, it would have been proven long ago if their information was incorrect. I don't see how you can easily "color" information about average number of repairs or average dollar amount of repairs for each model year and each type of vehicle. If they just outright lied, then their info would no longer be respected, and thus would no longer be valuable. Then no on would buy it. I don't see that CR has anything at all to gain by rating imports highly if it isn't the truth. As they say, "the truth would out," and then CR's reputation would be ruined.

Google Is consumer reports biased? and you will see that squirrly is not the only person questioning this. It's a valid question.

 

[sbell111]

... In today's market with the incentives, great rates being offered, and unbeatable warranties, it makes more sense to buy new.

Warranties and service plans are available for used cars. Incentives are only needed for new cars because they are so darn expensive.

... While I am sure many people have had reliable American autos as well, I tend to use Consumer Reports heavily in my decision-making when buying a car. ...

The last couple of times threads on this issue have come up, I linked to ratings showing that American cars have very good quality, often better than Toyota and Honda. I have neither the time nor inclination to pull up those older posts, but anyone who wants to search for them should be able to easily find them.

 

[ead79]

Google Is consumer reports biased? and you will see that squirrly is not the only person questioning this. It's a valid question.

Thanks--I did. I didn't take the time to read a ton of the articles, but I did look over several of them. I don't mean to sound like a cheerleader for Consumer Reports (though I do tend to trust them if I'm being honest). It's just that on threads about cars here on the DIS, it seems like some folks are very, very anxious to completely dismiss any ratings that don't shower praise on domestic auto makers. In fact, some of the articles criticizing CR were from the Detroit Free Press, which shouldn't really come as a surprise. In the end, all that really matters to me is that my import cars have been nothing but reliable and low-maintenance for me. I'm sure that's really what we're all hoping for regardless of what kind of car we buy in the end.

 

[mickey&minnie04]

I drive an American made car...I got a better deal on it then I would for a Honda and I work for Honda. I know so many people want to buy American because they want to keep the Americans in jobs ...well, I would very much appreciate anyone who buys a Honda as it will help keep this American in a job.....There are so many people who work here in the United States that work for Honda or Toyota that you really are helping our (U.S.) economy no matter what brand you buy.