Cars
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Freshly minted as the world's number 1 automaker, Toyota hasn't made a wrong turn. Besides, if you're buying cars based solely on reliability, you've a good chance of driving some boring cars.
A boring car like the Toyota Camry 4-cylinder or Hybrid, which continue as Consumer Reports recommended buys. Reasons not to pay too much attention to CR include their recommendation of America's best-selling car. Hey, I've nothing against the Camry; I recommended it to my parents-in-law and they took the advice. But, do you want to drive the same car as everybody else, a car that was designed but forgot to head to the style department, a car that fails to involve you in a twisty road? I don't.
Bigger news involves the 268bhp Camry V6, which was taken off CR recommendations list. Toyota receives exactly the same news when it comes to the V8 Tundra and all-wheel drive Lexus GS. CR says that these cars have reliability ratings below average. Ouch.
So, Toyota is #5, behind its own Scion sub-brand as well as Honda; Acura; and Subaru. Conversely, CR rates the 2007 Pontiac Solstice as the least reliable car you can buy in the ol' USofA, with Land Rover being the most unreliable brand. You ought to read about my test drive in the Solstice's twin, the Saturn Sky.
European brands like Audi, BMW, and Porsche are improving, according to CR. Add Ford to the improved list, too. The Fusion/Milan and V6 2WD F150 are all recommended. V6, rear-wheel
drive Ford F150's aren't exactly the most obvious choice when buying any truck; certainly not an F150, but hey - Consumer Reports says it's ok. GoodCarBadCar offered up the Lowdown on Ford's Fusion very recently.
Should Toyota panic? That's the question. The answer is no. However, careful consideration would be a terrific watchphrase. Toyota builds a lot of cars, pays a lot of people to build them, and builds them in many countries in many parts of the world. Better keep an eye out, then. No need to fret. Not yet. Not for a while.
Oh, by the way. Don't avoid Camry's, GCBC Nation. I didn't mean to be so harsh. Consumer Reports and I agree on this fact: the Honda dealer is worth checking out, as well.
- U.s. Monthly Sales In 2010 - Toyota Camry Vs Honda Accord Vs Toyota Corolla/matrix
Much has been said of late regarding the Toyota Camry's downfall. Yet, in November 2010, the Camry was America's best-selling car. Just like it was in October... and September... and August, July, and June, too. Not since May has the Toyota Camry's...
- Top 10 Best-selling Cars In America - July 2010
Although unheard of in many countries around the globe, the Toyota Camry is an American favourite. With its status as an American-made car, the Camry could even be called an American icon. Inarguably. That's not to say the Toyota Camry, above the...
- How Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings Relate To Gcbc Awards
Late last year and in early 2008, The Good Car Guy handed out twenty awards. Well, let's be honest: eight of them were shameful awards. The Good 12 and The Bad 8 Â place significance on vehicles that can be purchased by people you and I know - no...
- Consumer Reports Reports
Consumer Reports, not a bastion of automotive enthusiasm but a respected resource nonetheless, has named its ten best cars. Â The Hyundai Elantra takes the crown of best small sedan. Â Consumer Reports refuses to give a crown to any vehicle lacking...
- Prius = Satisfaction
Consumer Reports surveys have shown the Toyota Prius to be the most satisfying car, as told by 92% of Prius owners who would definitely consider buying another. General Motors forgotten minivan trio did very poorly, with just a third of respondents suggesting...
Cars
SHOULD TOYOTA PANIC?
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Freshly minted as the world's number 1 automaker, Toyota hasn't made a wrong turn. Besides, if you're buying cars based solely on reliability, you've a good chance of driving some boring cars. A boring car like the Toyota Camry 4-cylinder or Hybrid, which continue as Consumer Reports recommended buys. Reasons not to pay too much attention to CR include their recommendation of America's best-selling car. Hey, I've nothing against the Camry; I recommended it to my parents-in-law and they took the advice. But, do you want to drive the same car as everybody else, a car that was designed but forgot to head to the style department, a car that fails to involve you in a twisty road? I don't.
Bigger news involves the 268bhp Camry V6, which was taken off CR recommendations list. Toyota receives exactly the same news when it comes to the V8 Tundra and all-wheel drive Lexus GS. CR says that these cars have reliability ratings below average. Ouch.
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QUICK FACTS
- Buick is the only GM brand in CR top ten.
- 44% of CR 'Most Reliable' cars are made by Toyota
- Ford ranks 13th in overall brand ratings, Mercury 11th, Lincoln 14
- Of the 44 'Least Reliable', 20 are made by American manufacturers
- Read about J.D. Power and Harbour Consulting studies.
- Read about J.D. Power's APEAL survey.
- Scroll to the bottom of this story for more J.D. Power info.
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So, Toyota is #5, behind its own Scion sub-brand as well as Honda; Acura; and Subaru. Conversely, CR rates the 2007 Pontiac Solstice as the least reliable car you can buy in the ol' USofA, with Land Rover being the most unreliable brand. You ought to read about my test drive in the Solstice's twin, the Saturn Sky.
European brands like Audi, BMW, and Porsche are improving, according to CR. Add Ford to the improved list, too. The Fusion/Milan and V6 2WD F150 are all recommended. V6, rear-wheel
drive Ford F150's aren't exactly the most obvious choice when buying any truck; certainly not an F150, but hey - Consumer Reports says it's ok. GoodCarBadCar offered up the Lowdown on Ford's Fusion very recently.Should Toyota panic? That's the question. The answer is no. However, careful consideration would be a terrific watchphrase. Toyota builds a lot of cars, pays a lot of people to build them, and builds them in many countries in many parts of the world. Better keep an eye out, then. No need to fret. Not yet. Not for a while.
Oh, by the way. Don't avoid Camry's, GCBC Nation. I didn't mean to be so harsh. Consumer Reports and I agree on this fact: the Honda dealer is worth checking out, as well.
- U.s. Monthly Sales In 2010 - Toyota Camry Vs Honda Accord Vs Toyota Corolla/matrix
Much has been said of late regarding the Toyota Camry's downfall. Yet, in November 2010, the Camry was America's best-selling car. Just like it was in October... and September... and August, July, and June, too. Not since May has the Toyota Camry's...
- Top 10 Best-selling Cars In America - July 2010
Although unheard of in many countries around the globe, the Toyota Camry is an American favourite. With its status as an American-made car, the Camry could even be called an American icon. Inarguably. That's not to say the Toyota Camry, above the...
- How Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings Relate To Gcbc Awards
Late last year and in early 2008, The Good Car Guy handed out twenty awards. Well, let's be honest: eight of them were shameful awards. The Good 12 and The Bad 8 Â place significance on vehicles that can be purchased by people you and I know - no...
- Consumer Reports Reports
Consumer Reports, not a bastion of automotive enthusiasm but a respected resource nonetheless, has named its ten best cars. Â The Hyundai Elantra takes the crown of best small sedan. Â Consumer Reports refuses to give a crown to any vehicle lacking...
- Prius = Satisfaction
Consumer Reports surveys have shown the Toyota Prius to be the most satisfying car, as told by 92% of Prius owners who would definitely consider buying another. General Motors forgotten minivan trio did very poorly, with just a third of respondents suggesting...