Go Back   German Car Zone > Website Forums > The Pit - General Discussion
Home Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

This is a discussion on Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008 within the The Pit - General Discussion forums, part of the Website Forums category; Posted on Friday 29 February 2008 Yesterday Consumer Reports released its annual ‘Top Pics’ list of the best cars of ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-01-2008, 07:46 AM   #1
Contributor
 
Bartek Sikorski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Montreal, Canada
Garage: 2008 M5, 2009 X5, 2008 335i convertible
Posts: 6,243
Thanks: 3,380
Thanked 7,563 Times in 3,230 Posts
Bartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond reputeBartek Sikorski has a reputation beyond repute
Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

Posted on Friday 29 February 2008


Yesterday Consumer Reports released its annual ‘Top Pics’ list of the best cars of 2008 and now we have a list of the worst contenders. Judges compared over 260 vehicles in this year’s evaluation and once again American SUVs dominated the field although there were a number of Toyota models, usually the strong players, at the bottom of the field as well.

The worst cars are as follows:
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The Wrangler Unlimited was characterised by its poor ride and handling as well as its subpar fuel-economy, fit and finish.
• Hummer H3 five-cylinder
Poor performance and fuel-economy as well as a low rating for handling and reliability ensured the Hummer H3 was at the bottom.
• Jeep Liberty Sport
Rated poorly for fuel-economy, NVH levels and fit and finish.
• Chevrolet Aveo5
The Aveo5 only suffered from poor acceleration and handling but compared to its rivals the South Korean hatch was the worst performer.
• Dodge Nitro SLT
One of the worst cars in the field, the Dodge Nitro SLT was rated as having poor ride, handling, braking, NVH levels and fuel-economy.
• Toyota FJ Cruiser
A work horse SUV that requires premium fuel and suffers from poor fit and finish and subpar ride and handling.
• Toyota Yaris
The Yaris is one of the most popular subcompacts in the world but its poor acceleration and vague steering meant it was one of the worst cars in this year’s compare.
• Suzuki Forenza
The Suzuki Forenza was rated poorly because of its inadequate acceleration, fuel economy, ride, and low results in the IIHS sidecrash result.
• Jeep Patriot Limited
Another Jeep model made the list of worst performance, once again for poor acceleration, engine noise, driving position, visibility, front-seat comfort and fit and finish.
• Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT
Poor handling, braking and fuel-economy ensure the Chevrolet TrailBlazer is at the bottom of the list.
• Mercury Grand Marquis
The ageing Grand Marquis rounds out the list of the 11 worst cars of 2008, and was picked because of its rough sounding engine, poor ride and fuel-economy and low IIHS side-crash result.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/trends/consumer-reports-11-worst-cars-of-2008/
__________________
M -The most powerful letter in the world
Bartek Sikorski is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bartek Sikorski For This Useful Post:
Bruce (03-01-2008), cawimmer430 (03-01-2008)

Sponsored Links
Old 03-01-2008, 08:08 AM   #2
The Photo Phanatic
 
cawimmer430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Munich, Germany
Garage: '08 BMW 118i
Posts: 12,993
Thanks: 10,456
Thanked 9,155 Times in 3,292 Posts
cawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

Come on, this is BS. I mean two Toyota's on that list? Simply not true. Someone go find the real list. The one with like 6 German cars on it...

__________________
CWPhotography
cawimmer430 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2008, 09:45 AM   #3
ojis   ojis is offline
Advocate
 
ojis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 705
Thanks: 167
Thanked 83 Times in 62 Posts
ojis will become famous soon enough
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

I disagree on the Yaris. It is best in it's class... A real all-rounder.
__________________
Designed by computer, built by robot, driven by moron.
ojis is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2008, 09:57 AM   #4
Fanatic
 
Kowalski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Manchester, UK
Garage: 07 Passat Variant V6
Posts: 1,680
Thanks: 1,053
Thanked 1,125 Times in 524 Posts
Kowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to all
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

What? No German car?! There must be something wrong with this survey.
__________________
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe". Albert Einstein
Kowalski is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2008, 09:59 AM   #5
Fanatic
 
Kowalski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Manchester, UK
Garage: 07 Passat Variant V6
Posts: 1,680
Thanks: 1,053
Thanked 1,125 Times in 524 Posts
Kowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to allKowalski is a name known to all
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ojis View Post
I disagree on the Yaris. It is best in it's class... A real all-rounder.
I agree with you. Yaris is a lovely little car and very reliable too. My mother loves her Yaris.
__________________
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe". Albert Einstein
Kowalski is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Kowalski For This Useful Post:
ojis (03-01-2008)
Old 03-01-2008, 10:38 AM   #6
The Photo Phanatic
 
cawimmer430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Munich, Germany
Garage: '08 BMW 118i
Posts: 12,993
Thanks: 10,456
Thanked 9,155 Times in 3,292 Posts
cawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ojis View Post
I disagree on the Yaris. It is best in it's class... A real all-rounder.
It might be that, but all of a sudden Consumer Reports cares about handling and acceleration!
__________________
CWPhotography
cawimmer430 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2008, 06:30 AM   #7
Merc1   Merc1 is offline
Contributor
 
Merc1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Aurora IL USA
Garage: 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Cabriolet
Posts: 15,642
Thanks: 5,226
Thanked 9,534 Times in 4,030 Posts
Merc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

A couple of things. This isn't their usual survey type deal. This is worst of the worst cars that they've actually tested. Secondly believe it or not CR does like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi if you read their annual auto issues from the past few years. They have nothing but praise for most Mercedes-Benz models, but of course can't recommend them due to (according to them) sub-par reliability.

There some threads over on MBWorld that talk about this latest issue. There was so much talk I actually ran out to buy the issue so I could examine it myself. Each and every Mercedes they say has excellent fit and finish, great safety, comfort, refinement, performance, superior accident avoidance and what not, but are not reliable enough for them to recommend.

They do recommend the previously dumped on BMW 7-Series. They also recommend the Audi A6, BMW 3-Series, Porsche 911 and BMW X5 (yes the new one) so they aren't as brain-dead as many make them out to be when it comes actual road testing of cars.

The part where I draw the line with them is the W221 S-Class. Everywhere else this car has proven to be more reliable many times over compared to the W220, yet CR still says that reliability has been "sub-par", whatever the @#$% that means. JD Powers releases their data later this spring which will also be based on the first year of ownership so it will be most interesting to see what they say.

Consumer Reports whines constantly about German cars having controls that are too complicated, BMW especially. Ok, a legitimate gripe for some people, but that has nothing to do with reliability!!!!

You may notice that they don't like all things Toyota either. Shocking.

Ok the whining about controls is one thing, but the fact that they still recommend cars that they think are severly lacking just because they are reliable is just down stupid. The BMW 7-Series, a car that they say "misses the mark as a luxury car" is still recommended? Ditto for the Saab 9-3? No true automotive publication would say or feel that way about a car and then turn around and recommend it. I just use those 2 as an example, not saying that I agree with CR's analysis.

This list of 11 worst cars isn't too far off IMO, with some exceptions. I don't think they grasp the intent and purpose of every car on the market, but still.

Either way I'm done with giving a damn about what CR says anymore. I had already said that if the the W221 didn't get their nod I was done and I am. The dealer service bays at any dealer you ask say that the W221 is reliable, moreso than any Benz in the last 10-15 years and JDP says it has been reliable also, at least for the first 90 days. Now CR is saying that the S-Class' reliability goes off the deep end after 90 days? BULLSHIT.




M
__________________
Merc1 Allstars: SLS, SL63, S65, SLK55, CL63, SL65 BS, E63, R8 5.2, S5, LP560, LP670, M3, Mulsne, BK, DBS, GT500, Gran S, 911, X6M, Z4, Veyron GS, XFR, XKR, ZR1, CC, GTI, CTSV, 458, 599.
Merc1 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Merc1 For This Useful Post:
cawimmer430 (03-03-2008), CorpusCallosum (03-03-2008), GTA8.5 (03-03-2008), PanterroR (03-03-2008)
Old 03-03-2008, 08:31 AM   #8
Executive
 
The Artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sweden Gothenburg
Posts: 17,578
Thanks: 510
Thanked 3,594 Times in 1,710 Posts
The Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant futureThe Artist has a brilliant future
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

thank you lord that no german is on that list
__________________
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
Leonardo Da Vinci
The Artist is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2008, 08:49 AM   #9
The Photo Phanatic
 
cawimmer430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Munich, Germany
Garage: '08 BMW 118i
Posts: 12,993
Thanks: 10,456
Thanked 9,155 Times in 3,292 Posts
cawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond reputecawimmer430 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Merc1 View Post
Either way I'm done with giving a damn about what CR says anymore. I had already said that if the the W221 didn't get their nod I was done and I am. The dealer service bays at any dealer you ask say that the W221 is reliable, moreso than any Benz in the last 10-15 years and JDP says it has been reliable also, at least for the first 90 days. Now CR is saying that the S-Class' reliability goes off the deep end after 90 days? BULLSHIT.

M

Nicely said.

I was wondering why the current W221 S-Class isn't mentioned as being top in reliability. I mean I too have heard only good news about its reliability even in Europe. I believe JD Power even ranked the W221 higher in initial quality than the Lexus LS so this is obviously a sign that things have improved.

Yet the W221 is not recommended because of "poor reliability"? Huh?

And where is the W204? Oh wait, let me guess. It's not recommended because of predicted poor reliability.
__________________
CWPhotography
cawimmer430 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to cawimmer430 For This Useful Post:
Merc1 (03-03-2008)
Old 03-03-2008, 08:52 AM   #10
Merc1   Merc1 is offline
Contributor
 
Merc1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Aurora IL USA
Garage: 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Cabriolet
Posts: 15,642
Thanks: 5,226
Thanked 9,534 Times in 4,030 Posts
Merc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Consumer Reports 11 worst cars of 2008

Well to be fair they don't have any data on the W204 yet because it is a 2008 model here. They didn't do their usual "prediction" crap based on the last year's W203 so I won't bad mouth them for that. They just list the W204 as being "New" which it is. This time next year we'll get the results for the W204.

M
__________________
Merc1 Allstars: SLS, SL63, S65, SLK55, CL63, SL65 BS, E63, R8 5.2, S5, LP560, LP670, M3, Mulsne, BK, DBS, GT500, Gran S, 911, X6M, Z4, Veyron GS, XFR, XKR, ZR1, CC, GTI, CTSV, 458, 599.
Merc1 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
2008, cars, consumer, reports, worst

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
"The Clubman is one of the worst cars in the world". according to Jeremy Clarkson Kowalski Clubman 34 12-30-2007 04:32 AM
Edmunds Inside Line - First Drive: 2008 Lancer Evolution X Merc1 Mitsubishi 7 10-09-2007 01:37 AM
Consumer Reports - 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550: First Look Merc1 S-Class 4 08-22-2007 07:30 AM
Mercedes-Benz tops Consumer Reports' tests of luxury SUVs siko The Mercedes-Benz Lounge 8 10-16-2006 09:46 AM
Unwanted at any Speed: 50 worst cars. cawimmer430 The Pit - General Discussion 3 12-03-2005 09:22 AM



Copyright ©2005 - 2009, GermanCarZone.com. All Rights Reserved.

SEO by vBSEO 3.3.1 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.