CR lists the 10 worst Japanese cars

[stephen9666]

An interesting article posted on their site.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/08/10-japanese-cars-that-don-t-make-the-grade/index.htm

It includes these statements:
Quote:
Most Japanese car brands have a hard-earned reputation for offering dependable, fuel-efficient cars. Look no further than our annual brand report cards, where you’ll find the top seven brands are all Japanese based on average road-test score and reliability. But that’s not to say that Japanese cars are all veritable road scholars. In fact, there are quite a few that haven’t scored high enough to be eligible for a Consumer Reports recommendation.


Quote:
Consumer Reports is sometimes accused in enthusiast forums of favoring Japanese cars and being biased against American cars. The truth is, we report without fear or favor. (Learn how we test cars.) And our lists of best and worst cars tell quite a different story. In fact, two of the top three ranked cars overall in our tests are American. None are Japanese.

So, are we biased? Yes, toward good performing, safe, and reliable cars.

 

[jhMalibu]

Tacoma?!!?? Somebody needs to tell all those people buying them that CR doesn't like them.

They're criticizing a truck for being truck-like.

 

[buster]

Looks about right to me.

 

[eljefino]

CR acknowledges the existence of enthusiast forums.

Wow, baby steps!

 

[KD0AXS]

So basically they don't like small, fuel efficient cars because they are slow, uncomfortable, and ride and handle like a turd.

Who would have ever thought that would be the case?

 

[mrsilv04]

I'm surprised that the list of 10 doesn't include the entire Mitsubishi lineup.

Some of the crudest interiors, and poorest design ever. I've seen mid-80's Buicks with better interiors than today's Mitsubishis.

Worst rental car experience ever. A Mitsu Galant. I couldn't wait to take that thing back, and run in the other direction. I never knew a car THAT BAD was actually being built in the year 2012.

 

[aquariuscsm]

That article is hillarious!!!!!!!! CR is criticizing economy cars for driving like,um,economy cars!

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I'm surprised that the list of 10 doesn't include the entire Mitsubishi lineup.

Some of the crudest interiors, and poorest design ever. I've seen mid-80's Buicks with better interiors than today's Mitsubishis.

Worst rental car experience ever. A Mitsu Galant. I couldn't wait to take that thing back, and run in the other direction. I never knew a car THAT BAD was actually being built in the year 2012.


Lucky you. You were able to get in just under the wire.

2012 was the last year for the Galant. I think that's why it's not on the list, since it's no longer being produced.

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
That article is hillarious!!!!!!!! CR is criticizing economy cars for driving like,um,economy cars!


I don't see why it's "hilarious." Note that the well-regarded economy cars are not on the list. For example, the Yaris is on the list, but the generally-well-regarded Honda Fit is not on the list. There is a difference between the good and bad cars in any class, including the econo-box classes.

Here's what they say about the Fit:
Quote:
The subcompact Fit four-door hatchback offers easy cabin access and very good visibility. It has an amazing amount of interior room and various seat-folding arrangements. While the Fit is not overly powerful, it feels responsive, with a smooth willing engine, and agile handling.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I'm surprised that the list of 10 doesn't include the entire Mitsubishi lineup.

Some of the crudest interiors, and poorest design ever. I've seen mid-80's Buicks with better interiors than today's Mitsubishis.

Worst rental car experience ever. A Mitsu Galant. I couldn't wait to take that thing back, and run in the other direction. I never knew a car THAT BAD was actually being built in the year 2012.

Yeah, unfortunate but true.

I did an install on a brand new Impreza yesterday. Congratulations Subaru. You've made it up to 10 year old Mazda level interior. (better than the Geo Prizm interior that preceded it)


CR-Z: Only two seats...

Yeah, new CR-Z owners everywhere are getting home and are shocked to find that they do not have a backseat.

And the A/C thing. Turn the auto climate control off and just run it on A/C and in "Sport" mode.

Valid complaint? MPG. You have a two seat hybrid that doesn't really get better mileage than a Mazda 3 SkyActiv. Doesn't really handle better either. Cruze beats it on the freeway too.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: jhMalibu
Tacoma?!!?? Somebody needs to tell all those people buying them that CR doesn't like them.

They're criticizing a truck for being truck-like.

It doesn't say its truck like, it must ride poorly for a truck. I've been in some Ford and Chevy pick ups that ride really well.

 

[thescreensavers]

Meh, I ignore CS

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
I don't see why it's "hilarious."


Because it is

 

[gofast182]

Agree with everything except the Tacoma. By all accounts its a great truck so I fail to see how a [Toyota] V6 messes that up.

Heh...the entire Mitsubishi lineup...

 

[whip]

I own a Honda and a Lincoln. So I can say I have no bias. Simply using the eye test, I've noticed more older American cars on the road than Japanese cars. Cars that were supposed to be complete POS's are still driving around. Cars like 80's and 90's Grand Ams, Malibus, Bonnevilles, Aerostars, Escorts, Probes, Caravans, Shadows, Dynasties. But I don't see a lot of Toyotas, Hondas, or Nissans from the 90's. None of the cars listed above are in great shape, but they are still on the road. So it makes me wonder, which cars are better long term?

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: whip
I own a Honda and a Lincoln. So I can say I have no bias. Simply using the eye test, I've noticed more older American cars on the road than Japanese cars. Cars that were supposed to be complete POS's are still driving around. Cars like 80's and 90's Grand Ams, Malibus, Bonnevilles, Aerostars, Escorts, Probes, Caravans, Shadows, Dynasties. But I don't see a lot of Toyotas, Hondas, or Nissans from the 90's. None of the cars listed above are in great shape, but they are still on the road. So it makes me wonder, which cars are better long term?


Gotta' be the rust.

I do plenty of installs on '80s and '90s Japanese cars.
Mostly Civics, Accords, Corolla/Prizms, and Camries but a few Suzukis (Metro, Sidekick, Tracker) and about one valvetrain ticking Isuzu Rodeo a month.

My brother in law had a 3rd gen (flip headlight) Accord forever in Ohio. Well over 300,000 miles. He was very proud that it was made there in Ohio and such a tough little car. He does live in Hamilton County so he is pretty far away from Erie Lake effect snowfall.

 

[hattaresguy]

I had a few Suzuki rental cars in the islands that were horrible, as well as a Daihatsu. I can see why Suzuki left this country, why would you want the 3rd world driving experience here where you can get so many good cars?

Getting to the airport and into my buddies 135I was like stepping back into a real car.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: whip
I own a Honda and a Lincoln. So I can say I have no bias. Simply using the eye test, I've noticed more older American cars on the road than Japanese cars. Cars that were supposed to be complete POS's are still driving around. Cars like 80's and 90's Grand Ams, Malibus, Bonnevilles, Aerostars, Escorts, Probes, Caravans, Shadows, Dynasties. But I don't see a lot of Toyotas, Hondas, or Nissans from the 90's. None of the cars listed above are in great shape, but they are still on the road. So it makes me wonder, which cars are better long term?


Gotta' be the rust.

I do plenty of installs on '80s and '90s Japanese cars.
Mostly Civics, Accords, Corolla/Prizms, and Camries but a few Suzukis (Metro, Sidekick, Tracker) and about one valvetrain ticking Isuzu Rodeo a month.

My brother in law had a 3rd gen (flip headlight) Accord forever in Ohio. Well over 300,000 miles. He was very proud that it was made there in Ohio and such a tough little car. He does live in Hamilton County so he is pretty far away from Erie Lake effect snowfall.

It is rust. In Florida, 80s and 90s compact cars from Japanese companies outlived most American cars of the same time. The exception is the GM A-body, and that is it.

 

[Garak]

Anecdotally, at least, there might be another reason. Rust usually isn't the killer here, though I've seen some might rusty ancient Civics and Datsun trucks, but those are another issue altogether. However, any time I see an older Japanese car, it's going to have a huge number of miles on it. So, it's conceivable some of the older ones are simply "worn out." On the other hand, when you look at things like the Dynasty, there are plenty of very low mileage examples owned by older folks. But, as a counterpoint, many of the Malibus and Bonnevilles are very high mileage examples, with the former often in fleet use and the latter often used for long distance commuting or other work related travel.

 

[SteveSRT8]

My old 70 Datsun 510 had zinc all over it. It was practically rust proof from the factory. Even the bolts were all plated and stuff.

It was the late 70's when the Japanese went to pot metal and began rusting out even in Florida.

 

[JetStar]

Rust did kill most Japanese cars in the 70s and 80s. I lived through that era in the body shop industry. In general the "initial" quality of Japanese cars far exceeded most domestic cars of the time, but they fell short in the long run due to severe corrosion problems. Back then,I was anti import and didn't want to recognize the initial quality gap. The initial quality problem forced the domestics to get better to compete. At that time my extended family bought new Fords and GMs. It wasn't unusual to be back at the dealer in the first week of ownership for warranty repairs. Heck, now that I think back, that was the case in the 90's and into the early 2000's for me and the new GM's we bought.