CR lists the 10 worst Japanese cars

[rjundi]

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?


Locale based. Those domestics are rare birds around my area of New England. The only old stuff for Japan though that old really is Accord and Camry. Remember those were the top sellers forever and IMHO the overbuilt Japanese car of its day esp 1990+ Accord and 1992+ Camry.

 

[KitaCam]

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.

I read a lot of "cost of ownership" for the 1st 5 years....I'd like to see cost of ownership for the 2nd 5 years...THAT would be a valuable survey...esp. for people like me who buy 4 to 7-year old cars

....

 

[whip]

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'm sure it is. I also think that should be factored in when "long term" reliability is evaluated. The best engine in the world isn't worth a pile of beans if the car around it completely fails. I've scrapped a Honda and a Toyota with almost 300,000 miles because the body was junk. If there's a problem with the engine, it's a lot easier to fix than a rusted body.

 

[cptbarkey]

i am turning my nose to this article because none of CR's negatives talk about reliability as a negative.

 

[NHHEMI]

Quote:
Consumer Reports is routinely accused of favoring Japanese cars and being biased against American cars. So, are we biased? Yes, we are.


Fixed it for them.

And, it is CR so who gives a flying rats patutty? One of the biggest rags out there. Actually, I wouldn't use ANY magazine as a basis to buy a vehicle. None of them are truly unbiased.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Quote:
Consumer Reports is routinely accused of favoring Japanese cars and being biased against American cars. So, are we biased? Yes, we are.


Fixed it for them.

And, it is CR so who gives a flying rats patutty? One of the biggest rags out there. Actually, I wouldn't use ANY magazine as a basis to buy a vehicle. None of them are truly unbiased.


Yeah I don't really care what they say either, but it's obvious Toyota has its problems to me, so I don't think they're far off on this one, even if the reasons they list are dumb.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Quote:
Consumer Reports is routinely accused of favoring Japanese cars and being biased against American cars. So, are we biased? Yes, we are.


Fixed it for them.

And, it is CR so who gives a flying rats patutty? One of the biggest rags out there. Actually, I wouldn't use ANY magazine as a basis to buy a vehicle. None of them are truly unbiased.


Absolutely. While CR is biased so are most others.