Maverick still CR recommended

[oysterville]

That doesn't eliminate bias. It just means the bias isn't based on pay.

Bias derived from compensation are different than biases from simply being human. CR usually has several people involved in reviews of items as opposed to just one, likely to try to minimize individual biases.

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[HeyBales]

Just an observaion on CR.
From what I have seen over the last two years.
Their views seem, as the saying went....
"Change Like the Wind"

This week, Mavs are great. Next week there...

Jerry

Their winter surveys are going on right now.
So if cars is on the list, "and survey says!" (Richard Dawson)

They base their recommendations on past history and surveys.
It is appropriate that they change their recommendation when data says not reliable, or good value, or a problem, ect.

So keep observing and appreciating they ain't stuck in a rut and actually update their info and go by what the data says.
That is a good thing.

Unless you mean, you think they should use a crystal ball and have 1 rec and stick by it forever.
In that case yeah, there is a problem

 

[Fcnrwy]

In the end... it is ALL Media.
Sell the next issue..

The Buyer, has to LOOK at ALL the information and make their OWN decision...

Jerry

 

[HeyBales]

In the end... it is ALL Media.
Sell the next issue..

The Buyer, has to LOOK at ALL the information and make their OWN decision...

Jerry

That's why for used cars their yearly repair history charts are great.
You can run thru the list and decide if an otherwise good deal car has red marks on items that are easy to fix, or expensive items. Like several models years with electrical issues is concerning. But some items may not be.
Just wish it would go further back for years. But perhaps they know from data at some point they all start falling apart and bad survey results that would be hard to discern.

I'm just glad they provide the info to look at - if someone is merely going down their list and buys the Recommended item near the top - probably safer than other recommendations elsewhere - but they better be careful in life if that is their normal routine, could get expensive.

 

[Fcnrwy]

Just wish it would go further back for years. But perhaps they know from data at some point they all start falling apart and bad survey results that would be hard to discern.

Everything.. "Man-Made" will fail..
What is the "average life" of a motorcar??

12-ish years OR 200,000 miles..?

Jerry

 

[HeyBales]

Everything.. "Man-Made" will fail..
What is the "average life" of a motorcar??

12-ish years OR 200,000 miles..?

Jerry

Ya, that's where perhaps they realize even with weighting by mileage, the results of systems fixed doesn't matter after so many years.
So a starter was replaced at 5 yrs - was that 75K miles due to delivery driver, or 120K on the highway? 1 of more concern than another.

Rav4 coming up on 20 years, but only 180K miles, with initial 100K / 10 yrs in Florida, by it appears gentle driver. I'm gentle too, but 10 yrs / 80K in rust-belt - eh. I'm sure I was the winner of just straight out replacement time for parts that reached natural end of life, even with great quality.
And I did not go for oem prices on majority of things.

 

[AVC]

I too, have had subscriptions to CR, or now the website, for 30 years. They have articles (maybe videos now) explaining their statistical testing and subscriber review methodology, which is designed to minimize individual reviewer driver and subscriber bias.

While early first year model predictions are difficult to make by anyone because of initial small sample sizes, I have found their year 2 to 10 predictions on vehicles to be shockingly accurate for myself, friends, family experiences. Very worthwhile to look at their ratings before purchasing.

And as CR or any reputable statistician would say; individual samples can land ANYWHERE on the curve, but are *likely* to land predictably on the curve. Especially so when you carefully collect and cull data on 100, 1000, 10,00 samples; the predictions become quite reliable, and in this case, will present the experience of the large majority of purchasers.

You wont get this same rigor from Edmunds, C&D, JD Power, etc. and certainly not from the OEM, except when getting hints sifting through recalls and TSB's.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Tacoma was 45, was downgraded for predicted reliability, handling and ride. Did well in resale value however.

Resale buyers still believe the once-true, but now urban myth that Toyota = reliable. You can only rely on your reputation for so long. Even the toyota fan bois at CR have started realizing this.

 

[AVC]

From CR, circa 2011. Honda's and Toyota's were absolutely MUCH more reliable as fleets, and Toyota even more so as they aged--matches my experience with vehicles of that era. I haven't seen a refreshed version of this graph.

The fleet reliability is currently being published in 5 rankings from much above avg, to much below avg. Toyota is still above avg (not much above avg as before) and Honda is avg. Subaru, BMW and Mazda have moved up to above avg.

Ford is avg.

 

[oysterville]

You wont get this same rigor from Edmunds, C&D, JD Power, etc. and certainly not from the OEM, except when getting hints sifting through recalls and TSB's.

Always consider bias when reviews and rewards are handed out. JD Power gets paid by the very companies they rate, and commercial auto review outlets largely rely on test drives provided by the auto maker.

 

[Packer Bill]

JD Power gets paid by the very companies they rate

This is the reason why ignore JD Power ratings.

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