I guess I haven’t been that impressed with Consumer Reports or JD Power reviews. Both have ranked many cars as average or below average. Even some of the Honda Accords, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altma, and Subaru’s that are supposed to be “good cars” are ranked in lower brackets. Looking at JD Power, engines and transmissions on some of these recently used or new cars are ranked lower whereas for example a friend’s 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo is ranked higher and at 90,000 miles has not had any major problems. For example: 2014 Chevy Malibu that was awarded its high quality 2014 midsize sedan award ranked only a 2 out of 5 on engine and transmission performance.
Even cars like the Chevy Impala that for years have been known as good cars are ranked horribly by Consumer Reports in recent years and are even mentioned as cars to stay away from. That even shocked my transmission specialist.
“Even cars like the Chevy Impala that for years have been known as good cars are ranked horribly by Consumer Reports in recent years and are even mentioned as cars to stay away from.”
Now I really have to wonder where you are getting your information from.
When Consumer Reports tested the newly-redesigned Impala in September, 2013, they stated, “This model is now our highest-scoring sedan”. In fact, they rated it above the Toyota Avalon, the Chrysler 300, the Nissan Maxima, and at least 6 other large sedans.
When CR published its annual Auto Issue in April, 2014, the Impala was still at the top of their list of large sedans. The only negative comments that they made about this model are that its reliability is “unknown”–which is a completely objective remark–and that its rear vision could be better.
A car to stay away from?
CR has not made that comment about the Chevrolet Impala for at least a few years.
Understand that “average” is not a comparison of the number of problems in a 2013 compared to the number of problems in a 1999. It’s only a comparison of the number of problems in a 2013 car compared to the number of problems in the total aggregate of 2013 cars divided by the total number of cars in the analyzed data. A “worse than average” 2013 car can have far fewer problems that an “average” car of 1999, because the reliability of cars overall has risen.
Be sure to understand too that data often proves perceptions to be wrong. When you say that a car has been known for years as a good car, that only means that your (or someone else’s) perception was that it was a good car, it does not mean that it really was. Countless people have been saddled with unreliable cars because they bought purely on perception rather than on data.
I’m confused. I just looked at CR online, and the only model year of Accord that was downrated was 2013, and only because of the audio system. CR also hammered Ford for problems with their infotainment systems, which, while appropriate, I think over-penalizes both Honda and Ford. Subarus and Toyotas are given overall good ratings. Nissans have always been more at the ‘average’ rating.
Not seeing what your concern is at that link. Lots of Toyotas, Acuras (by Honda) some Subarus, etc. The ‘cars to avoid’ don’t include the ones you’ve mentioned.
The magazine goes into more detail and unfortunately I don’t have access to that right now. I only have the print version. I’ll have to grab it and explain my concerns.
Whatever you do, dont get a porsche boxter. While I love porsches, and have driven several models, all extremely impressive, ive known two guys to go for a used boxter because theyre so affordable and hey its a porsche! Only to find a few defects and outrageous fee’s for repairs because you need specialty parts and a mechanic who knows porsche. Just stay away from them.
And a monte carlo with 90k for 15 grand? Thats laughable in style and price.
I find it hard to believe the impala was uncomfortable for you. Theyre one of the comfiest rides Ive ever driven.
I would say a camry is a good choice, or if you can go a little smaller, the new corollas are actually pretty stylish IMO. Buick actually has some nice looking newer cars, you might look into them.
I’ll be honest a late model pontiac never had any appealing qualities to me in the looks department, but to each his own.
I wouldnt let the recalls scare you, unless they keep getting them non stop lately, cough-cough CHEVY.
The monte carlo was for only $5,000. The only recall I saw on that was if there were too many keys on your key chain it could affect the weight of the ignition affecting the air bag? I guess I will make sure I limit the stuff on my key chain The place were you put your head was uncomfortable in the Impala. I drive at times 3 plus hours so I really want the seating to be comfortable. Plus, in the April 2014 issue of consumer reports it says to avoid the used Impala’s which I am unsure as to why because mechanics have told my family for years they are good cars. I have considered Camry but I think it is a little pricey in the used department (really can’t afford new unless I lease). The Camry is comfortable but it is so dull. I feel I can find reliable and dull a whole lot cheaper. I thought about corolla’s but I have to admit I am a little claustrophic so I was trying to avoid the compact cars even though there are some decent cars in this department. I have looked at the Buick Verano but kind of the same opinion as the Camry.
I guess what I liked about the Prix was comfort, sporty but not a sports car, overall reliability (consumer reports ranked the 1999 as one of the better cars out around that time). The only downfall is the exterior quality. I had to leave it outside for two years when I lived in a city because I didn’t have a garage. It started to rust then. Unfortunately, once it starts it only gets worse.
By the way my plan wasn’t to keep the monte carlo for good. Just to have something to drive until I found something I liked. I really want a 4 door car. I know it was well taken care of.
I dunno, I thought about trading for several years and never could make a decision. Then when push came to shove, I got the whole thing done in four days, from the decision to dump the old one to looking at what was available, and actually picking it up. I also discounted what CR said and am happy I did although I do subscribe just to get their take on it. You might want to look at the rental fleets to see what they buy. They have lots of Impalas but the 2010 or 2011 that I rented was boring as heck and remined me of the old Rambler Ambassadors.
Consider a 2008/2010 Chrysler 300 with the V8. It will be in your price range with about 50,000 miles on it. Or maybe a Pontiac G8. You can get it with a V6 or V8 (GT).
Why more recalls, brake, ignition switch, transmission, accelerator problems? As mentioned by others, part of the reason is that this information is more easily communicated via the internet.
But there’s a second reason: Automobiles are more complicated now than in years past. And a lot of the complications involve electronics modules. Think about what a typical new car is packed with: Electronics controlled stability control, anti-lock braking, remote controlled ignition switches, fly-by-wire accelerator controls. Even automatic transmissions are now thoroughly embedded with electronics.
Electronics control isn’t – by itself – a bad thing. The problem is that it allows what is called by system designers “mission creep” into the design process. The marketing department will ask for a new function, and before electronics there was no way to provide it, so that was the end of that discussion. But with electronics, there often is a way to provide a new function that wasn’t originally intended. Often it is done with a software change. The marketing department will say to the design team “It’s just a software change isn’t it?”
And often it is. But the number of possible undesirable interactions goes up very fast the more the system deviates from the original design. You’d think the car designers could manage this, and wouldn’t allow undesirable interactions to reach the customer, but it’s clear they can’t. The basic problem is they can’t think of a reason to say “no”, so they feel they have to say “yes, we can do that”.
And that – in my opinion – has a lot to do with the number of serious recalls we see in the news most every day.
I think I agree. New and more complex systems that the problems didn’t shake out during the initial design and testing. Get a few million cars out there for a few years and all of a sudden problems start to pop up that didn’t before such as with the electric power steering. We didn’t have that problem in the past because the same type of pump was used since 1960 and was pretty much fool proof. Put a new design into practice and some things just don’t show up in rigorous testing. Look at stucco houses in the northland. It took a number of years before they started rotting after new energy procedures were put in place.
Consumer reports is pretty inflated with BS if you ask me. Whatever car you buy, find out the engine and transmission names. Then google “________ problems.”
Some engines are known for specific problems, but arent necessarily bad engines.
How about a crown vic? Slightly sporty with the mustang gt engine, and if properly maintained will last a long time to come. And if that aint comfy i dont know what is!!! Affordable as well.
The place were you put your head was uncomfortable in the Impala. I drive at times 3 plus hours so I really want the seating to be comfortable. Plus, in the April 2014 issue of consumer reports it says to avoid the used Impala’s which I am unsure as to why because mechanics have told my family for years they are good cars. I have considered Camry but I think it is a little pricey in the used department (really can’t afford new unless I lease). The Camry is comfortable but it is so dull. I feel I can find reliable and dull a whole lot cheaper. I thought about corolla’s but I have to admit I am a little claustrophic so I was trying to avoid the compact cars even though there are some decent cars in this department. I have looked at the Buick Verano but kind of the same opinion as the Camry.