Rant: Consumer Reports
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I trust Consumer Reports when they report on kitchen appliances, but they are not "car enthusiatics" and they review cars like they do ovens. I will go to car magazines for their opinions (and then I take them with a "grain of salt").
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
CR says nothing about so many vette owners being unhappy with their cars. CR says 80% or more of corvette owners indicated they would buy or rent a corvette again.
Last edited by Vette_DD; Oct 26, 2008 at 12:44 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Corvettes aren't the most reliable cars. The keyless ignition problems of the C6, battery drain issues, radio problems, tops separating, rear end problems, crank dampeners unscrewing, etc, etc, etc. None of these problems are justifiable. They aren't justifiable in a $20k Cobalt or Honda economy car, nor in a $35k luxo sedan, nor in a $70k Corvette. After a century of development, we should expect a car to start, run, and stop on command with no fuss or worries, we should expect it to not fall to pieces in the first 100,000 miles, etc. Corvettes don't meet that expectation as well as several other common cars. GM knows they can get away with such shoddy cost cutting engineering because Corvette buyers will accept problems which would have Yugo owners marching on their dealerships with torches and pitchforks.
Goon Squad King of Battle
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 118,306
Likes: 923
From: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '23
The C6 is like an old Harley. We love 'em, but God are they a pain in the ***!!!
I own three 2007's. Only one spends it's life in the shop. The Lexus and Subaru are Maint Free.
I own three 2007's. Only one spends it's life in the shop. The Lexus and Subaru are Maint Free.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Who cares what crap reports says? I never pay any attention to that rag that has been heavily foreigned car supported since its inception. Actually foreign electronics and just about any other major industry. It's creators are some anti-american flag burning hippies from the 60's. I'm sure they already early voted for nobama as well.
Last edited by red06c6hm; Oct 26, 2008 at 01:11 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Seems this same topic is resurrected numerous times each year. While I subscribe to CR and like the publication, I don't actually use them in my car buying decision making process. That said, their findings mirror my experience with the Vette.
You will see the following:
1. Those that think CR should leave car reviews to "real" car mags and stick to kitchen appliances where they belong
2. Those whose experiences with the car mirror the findings of CR
3. Those who comment that people with issue are more likely to answer the survey than those without issues
4. Those who believe that CR has a bias against domestic models
That said CR does not always keep up with the cars they rate. I have caught them numerous times over the years mentioning "new" features that have actually been available for a few model years which also means they fail to mention sometimes when interesting changes are made.
You will see the following:
1. Those that think CR should leave car reviews to "real" car mags and stick to kitchen appliances where they belong
2. Those whose experiences with the car mirror the findings of CR
3. Those who comment that people with issue are more likely to answer the survey than those without issues
4. Those who believe that CR has a bias against domestic models
That said CR does not always keep up with the cars they rate. I have caught them numerous times over the years mentioning "new" features that have actually been available for a few model years which also means they fail to mention sometimes when interesting changes are made.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 40
From: Seattle WA
If you look deep enough into their rating system you'll see that they give the black ball when more than 3% of respondents have a problem in a particular area. They even say unreliable doesn't mean it won't get you where you want to go, it just isn't problem free. Anyone looking at CR for auto reviews is looking for an appliance on wheels IMO.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Consumer Reports has been saying this about every Corvette for the last 30 years always black dots and predicted reliability above average. I have 27,000 and no major problems. I got 2 surveys from JD powers and gave excellent ratings on dealership service and on Corvette.
My only thing now is should I get the rear diff. and auto trans and anti-freeze serviced (change the fluids?)now because in the manual it says this is not necessary unless the transmission leaks or the rear end leaks which up to now I have had no problems.
My only thing now is should I get the rear diff. and auto trans and anti-freeze serviced (change the fluids?)now because in the manual it says this is not necessary unless the transmission leaks or the rear end leaks which up to now I have had no problems.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 15
From: Southern Florida
Just consider the source.. They rate cars based on the number of cupholders and the size of the glovebox.
It's not the place to get advice on sport cars.
If you need a toaster or dishwasher, CR can be of some use.. They always dis American cars.. They have no clue about what matters to sport car enthusiasts.
It's not the place to get advice on sport cars.
If you need a toaster or dishwasher, CR can be of some use.. They always dis American cars.. They have no clue about what matters to sport car enthusiasts.
This is true...I would bet that "reliability" is an issue with most true sport cars. They are built and used in a different way than regular cars and should not be held to equal standards.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: st michaels maryland
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Hello,
Reliability and the size of the production run goes hand in hand, with many other variables present as well.
Bottom line the Corvette is and always has been a low production run car. The Corvette runs are 20,000 to 30,000 a year, many other automobiles run 750,000 a year, so tweaks in the assembly process have more time to be ironed out and refined.
I'll put up with the few problems for a world performance car that the base model costs under $50,000.
Thank you GM for making a great car
Douglas in Green Bay
Reliability and the size of the production run goes hand in hand, with many other variables present as well.
Bottom line the Corvette is and always has been a low production run car. The Corvette runs are 20,000 to 30,000 a year, many other automobiles run 750,000 a year, so tweaks in the assembly process have more time to be ironed out and refined.
I'll put up with the few problems for a world performance car that the base model costs under $50,000.
Thank you GM for making a great car
Douglas in Green Bay
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 21
From: Garner NC
The point has been made that there is a difference between reliability and owner satisfaction, which is very true. Most corvette owners are willing to put up with the occasional issue to own a great American sports car. Consumer Reports merely reports the facts, and owners respond that Corvettes are not as reliable as some other brands. As we have seen on this forum, some owners have had lots of problems, others have had none. It all goes into the average, which is compared to other makes/models.
Consumer Reports is useful for what it is. I think it is a good thing to have a magazine that is not influenced by advertising dollars (a la road and track, car and driver, consumers digest, etc) and can give objective feedback on a vehicle. Needless to say, cars, especially Corvettes, are emotional purchases that are often influenced by passion and desire. Therefore, you will have to take the review with a grain of salt and determine whats important to you. If a car is downrated because of lack of cupholders, noisy ride, and poor reliability, and none of that matters to you, no worries. I think potential reliability, or lack thereof, may be of concern to many buyers, and may be a deciding factor when choosing between comparable models.
Consumer Reports is useful for what it is. I think it is a good thing to have a magazine that is not influenced by advertising dollars (a la road and track, car and driver, consumers digest, etc) and can give objective feedback on a vehicle. Needless to say, cars, especially Corvettes, are emotional purchases that are often influenced by passion and desire. Therefore, you will have to take the review with a grain of salt and determine whats important to you. If a car is downrated because of lack of cupholders, noisy ride, and poor reliability, and none of that matters to you, no worries. I think potential reliability, or lack thereof, may be of concern to many buyers, and may be a deciding factor when choosing between comparable models.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Olathe KS
Consumer Reports has been saying this about every Corvette for the last 30 years always black dots and predicted reliability above average. I have 27,000 and no major problems. I got 2 surveys from JD powers and gave excellent ratings on dealership service and on Corvette.
My only thing now is should I get the rear diff. and auto trans and anti-freeze serviced (change the fluids?)now because in the manual it says this is not necessary unless the transmission leaks or the rear end leaks which up to now I have had no problems.
My only thing now is should I get the rear diff. and auto trans and anti-freeze serviced (change the fluids?)now because in the manual it says this is not necessary unless the transmission leaks or the rear end leaks which up to now I have had no problems.
CR is decent information for other things like appliances, cameras, home electronics, lawn mowers. They should be part of your due diligence when purchasing something. But for each of the aforementioned, there are better means of finding out information. With our internet age, there are forums for just about every product. You get "real world" reviews of people that own that particular product and not from some magazine that may or may not be biased and getting paid for their reviews.
V-Dub
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 130
From: Senoia Ga
Consumer Reports
I agree Consumers is totally biased as I canceled my subscription some time ago. They totally dissed my 02 Impala and it was an excellant car and got over 30 MPG on the highway.
I had my c-5 for nine years and it was only in the shop once for a steering lock recall although that never happened.
My son's Lexus had a starter go out and it cost $1100.00 to replace.
His Acura dealer wanted over $2000.00 to do the required maintenance at 50,000 miles.
Just keep buying those foreign cars and our economy will just fall further into the tank.
Ever watch all the college sports where G.M. is giving scholarships to the schools--I am still waiting to see Toyota do that. Reason is obvious.
I had my c-5 for nine years and it was only in the shop once for a steering lock recall although that never happened.
My son's Lexus had a starter go out and it cost $1100.00 to replace.
His Acura dealer wanted over $2000.00 to do the required maintenance at 50,000 miles.
Just keep buying those foreign cars and our economy will just fall further into the tank.
Ever watch all the college sports where G.M. is giving scholarships to the schools--I am still waiting to see Toyota do that. Reason is obvious.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
Consumer Reports just reports on the results of the surveys of their car owners. Nothing unfair going on here and if you don't like the results then rather than blaming the messenger you should blame GM. They have also reported every time they report on the Corvette that overwhelmingly most owners say they would buy another one. Myself included. In fact I had an 05 that was recently totaled and immediately purchased an 09. The whole experience is about more than reliability.
I totally agree. This has nothing to do with CR. Their ratings are just the tabulated results of owner surveys.The fact that some who post here have had few or no issues is fine, but means nothing in the context of a nationwide survey. When all is said and done, the Corvette does have more reliablity issues than many other cars. That's just the way it is....like it or not.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Too many here that complain about CR and don't know how to properly interpret what they're reading.