Consumer Reports Auto Issue Round-Up: Top Picks for 2007
Monday, 5th March 2007 (by J.D.)This article is about Cars
The Consumer Reports annual auto issue landed in my mailbox on Friday. I spent the afternoon leafing through it, at first looking for tips to share with you, but gradually being seduced by the Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible on the cover. “I want one,” I thought. But I forced myself to focus.
Until now, I’ve been wary of posting information from Consumer Reports — they’re overly litigious, much more concerned with profit than with consumer education, in my opinion (translation: I’m afraid if I post their findings here they’ll sue me) — but I’m going to start offering a taste of the magazine’s conclusions now-and-then. For example, here are their top-rated vehicles in ten categories:
- Budget car: Honda Fit ($14,000 - $16,000)
- Fun-to-drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata ($21,000 - $27,000)
- Small sedan: Honda Civic ($17,000 - $23,000)
- Family sedan: Honda Accord ($20,000 - $33,000)
- Upscale sedan: Infiniti G35 ($35,000 - $39,000)
- Luxury sedan: Infiniti M35 ($42,000 - $45,000)
- Small SUV: Toyota RAV4 ($23,000 - $27,000)
- Midsized SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid ($35,000 - $40,000)
- Minivan: Toyota Sienna ($26,000 - $38,000)
- Green car: Toyota Prius ($23,000)
The car with the best fuel economy was the Toyota Prius at 44mpg. The Dodge Durango Limited had the worst fuel economy at 12mpg. The least satisfying vehicle was the Chevrolet Uplander — only 36% of owners would buy it again. The Toyota Prius had the greatest customer satisfaction with 92% support. (In Sellwood, the community five miles north of here, every other car is a Prius!)
As expected, the car-buying issue features certain standard reports:
- Car-buying tips, including tips for buying on the web.
- Extensive coverage of safety equipment, including a preview of features on the horizon: night vision, blind-spot detection, rollover mitigation, and more.
- And, of course, there are 12 page of vehicle ratings, 32 pages of vehicle profiles, and 11 pages of vehicle reliability reports.
Readers of this site would probably get the most value from the two dense pages of used car recommendations. There’s also a long feature article answering the question, “Which companies make the best cars?”
Don’t forget that Get Rich Slowly features car-buying tips from time-to-time. Notable articles include:
- The best way to buy a new car and A real fighting chance
- Two approaches to car-buying
- Fritz buys a new car
- How to sell a used car
- Dave Ramsey says ‘Drive free, retire rich’
I also recommend two older AskMetafilter threads:
- Fix it or junk it? At what point is a car not worth repairing?
- What is a reasonable offer for a new car? Don’t miss this fantastic response from a fellow who just bought a car.
The Consumer Reports car issue is an excellent resource. If you think you might purchase a vehicle soon, I recommend it. But I think it’s a little dangerous to pick up just for the sake of browsing. As I was reading it this weekend, I felt the “new car itch” creeping upon me again. I forced myself to go back and re-read what I wrote the last time this happened. If only I didn’t hate my Ford Focus so much…
Hey, the Ford Focus isn’t so bad…I owned one for a few years and actually enjoyed driving it much more than I did my brother’s Jetta. Although the recalls (13 of them if I remember correctly) were a bear.
Not surprising to see all those Hondas and Toyotas at the top of CR’s list, and it’s good to see them provide a “real world” fuel economy figure for the Prius. The Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris don’t consume much more gas than that but cost far less.
I drove a Honda Civic all through the 1990s, and it was the most reliable trouble-free car I’ve ever owned. I put 250,000 miles on it, and then sold it to a family who drove it another 150,000 miles before they sold it on to someone else. It may still be going. Those cars are like Energizer bunnies.
The Durango’s mileage is not good, but it is better than 12 mpg. We have an 05 Limited that averages 14-15 around town and about 8-10 while towing the horse. Of course, nobody buys a Durango for the mileage. You buy it for the 7500 lb towing capacity.
I can relate to the “I want a Miata” feeling. I’ve been driving a red ‘99 since November ‘98 and loving it.
After a long day at work I drop the top (Houston weather has been in the 70s and 80s already quite a bit this year) and let the wind in my hair help me unwind. I also like never having to be the guy whose car everyone piles into when going out to lunch.
I’ve been driving a 2002 Ford Focus since late 2001 and it’s a great little car for me. I’ve only had one really annoying repair concerning a gasket failure with the brake/clutch fluid mechanism thing (I’m not mechanically inclined so don’t ask me for details — the net effect was brake fluid leaked out everywhere and it necessitated repairs to both my brake and (manual) clutch, which at least in this car are inextricably integrated).
It gets good mileage as far as I’m concerned and it’s very comfortable to drive, but I drive very little (26K miles since 10/2001!).
Of course after my previous car (1987 Subaru Justy with power nothing) almost anything would be a dream to drive.
db
I’ve got the Scion tC myself, and I’m loving it. Cheaper than the civic, but very versatile and upgradable if you want to put more $$$ in it. And a helluva lot of fun to drive.
“[Consumer Reports is] overly litigious, much more concerned with profit than with consumer education, in my opinion (translation: I’m afraid if I post their findings here they’ll sue me)”
Wha? Since when?
I didn’t think a magazine that does not take ad money from companies/have advertisements in its magazine, does not take test samples from companies, and does not permit the commercial use of its rating in the advertisement of produces would be one “concerned more about profits”
I didn’t know CR had a litigious reputation either. If anything they themselves are the targets of lawsuits, not the other way around. Naturally, when CR lays the consumer advocacy smackdown on products, their companies get a little bit defensive and end up suing CR for libel or slander. Just because a magazine is often embroiled in suits doesn’t they are the “litigious” ones.
It’s true CR has its faults, but I feel like being “litigious” and “profit oriented” are the least of those.
@Anthony
Last spring the magazine had an editorial asking people to turn in anyone they saw using Consumer Reports info. This was about the time I was starting this site. I had hoped to point out certain articles and conclusions to my readers (I happen to think CR is a great source for anyone wanting to maximize value for the dollar). I sent them a nice e-mail asking if I could post some relatively minor things, and they replied with a very harsh, bereaucratic letter filled with legalese that basically said: “Don’t use our stuff AT ALL.” And so I haven’t.
My interpretation is that they don’t want others to post this info because it will detract from sales. (I don’t agree that this is the case, but I’ve not been willing to push the issue.)
My phraseology in the post could have used some work, I guess…
We just bought a brand new 2007 Rav4 Base Model and got a wonderful deal (5% over actual factory invoice).
Yeah, new car buying stinks, but nothing makes up for it more than when the finance guy says “How do you want to finance this” and you hand them a check.
The Toyota Prius gets 44 mpg? I am not inpressed! I drive a 93 civic del sol and get 38-41 mpg in mixed highway and city driving. At most in a single year, I have spent $1000 on maintenence (that was timing belt, water pump, tune up and 4 tires). It now has 205,000 miles and as my mechanic says “it’s sweet”‘! Buy cheap and drive it into the ground.
I too have a MX-5 and budget wise, here in the UK at least, its consistently marked one of the most reliable - therefore requiring less work - and when it does need attention, its also rated as one of the cheapest to service.
Two reasons to get one right there!
Consumer Report’s recommendations are a good litmus test for how an individual identifies with his/her vehicle. The CR list contains the vehicles that make the most financial sense (although I think used is better). What is missing from the list is more telling. If you buy a new Mercedes (lowest rated brand) or Land Rover, are you smart with money or do you care more about image? If you buy a new Mercedes, you need to get in touch with yourself. It’s a bad financial decision.
Like you, it’s funny how often I get sucked into drooling over new cars. I fell in love with the 3rd generation Miata when it first appeared, and I’d still love to get one.
I realized something today, though. I paid $10,000 for my current car, a 2001 Maxima, which I bought last April. It is classy, reliable, powerful, and looks good to me (especially in graphite gray, with the SE package). What I realized this morning was that it is pretty much not necessary to spend more than $10k on a car, ever. If I can get a 5 year old, reliable sporty-sedan, with 80k on the clock and still a hint of new car smell, there’s no reason to want more.
In a few years, maybe a 3rd gen Miata will cost $10k and I’ll be all over it. I have worked for a while now to start saving money, in various places (401k, savings acct, scottrade account). The thought of blowing $25k or more on a new car sends chills down my spine. I say this as a reformed “car guy” who has owned 13 cars, 2 motorcycles, and 1 RV (and I’m only 27). Cars depreciate a ridiculous amount over their first 3 to 5 years. After that, many of them are still perfectly reliable for the next 5 years. Unless you have a large amount of disposable income, that new car is just not worth it. Let someone else take the hit on depreciation, and then buy their car.
By the way, I still have the second motorcycle — a 2002 Honda that I picked up in 2005 for almost half of its original retail. It’s still in mint condition. There’s still room for fun without breaking the bank!
The Toyota Prius gets 44 mpg? I am not inpressed!
Yes, in general, the current batch of hybrids leave a lot to be desired. I don’t think they justify their added costs compared to a simple compact car, although it may still be a good place to vote with your wallet (so manufacturers spend more money R&Ding efficiency technologies).
I followed the advice on the consumer advocate site http://carbuyingtips.com/ when I bought my second car, and it easily saved me thousands of dollars. I believe anyone looking to buy a car should read that entire site. The author identifies all of the scams and games that dealers play. Basically, you need to line up financing and negotiate the price (through faxes or email) before walking into the dealer. Recognize that the dealer makes very little money from the sale of the vehicle itself. Their profit comes from financing, warranties, other add-ons, and maintenance. Always negotiate based on the full price, not monthly payment, and leave rebates out of the discussion.
Ford has launched a number of online videos of the Ford Fusion. I’m working on a client project that has these clickable videos. Here are links to 2 different Fusion video clips:
http://2007-ford-fusion.myinfo-auto.com/video/2007_Ford_Fusion
http://2007-ford-vehicles.myinfo-auto.com/video/2007_ford_vehicles
Anyone in the market for a used car would find Phil Edmonston’s Lemon-Aid Used Car Guide a terrific resource. It’s published annually, and he also has a version for new cars. It’s the most accurate and detailed guide I’ve come across and it’s saved me from making some costly mistakes!
Oh, I should’ve mentioned that I personally don’t think it’s ever a good idea — unless you’re a millionaire and have money to burn — to buy a new car, since they depreciate the second you drive them off the lot. It’s far better to buy a good car that’s a few years old, look after it carefully and drive it until it falls apart.
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[...] Thanks for visiting!The Consumer Reports annual auto issue landed in my mailbox on Saturday. Like last year, I spent the afternoon leafing through it. Unlike past years, I think I managed to avoid the [...]
[...] Consumer Reports annual auto issue was parked in my mailbox on Monday. As in past years (2007, 2008), I spent the afternoon leafing through it. This year, I think I managed to avoid the new-car [...]