1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Consumer Reports for Cars: Yea or Nay?

Discussion in 'General' started by sharkattack, Jan 12, 2021.

  1. sharkattack

    sharkattack Rescued pets over people. All day, every day

    I’m looking for a used car for one of my kids. My gut tells me just get a Corolla, Camry, Civic, or Accord and call it a day. My budget is about $9-10K, or less if I catch a great bargain.

    How do you view Consumer Reports, for both New & Used cars? Sometimes I think they’re spot on, other times I think they can’t be more wrong.

    Thoughts from the beeb? Should I trust CR with my hard earned dosh?
     
  2. R Acree

    R Acree Banned

    CR is not a bad resource, but you can get decent used car reviews from other sources as well. Check several. KBB is one. Unless they have been beat to crap, your cant go wrong with Honda or Toyota.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2021
    sharkattack likes this.
  3. ttt637

    ttt637 Well-Known Member

    Stick with Toyota. Honda’s use timing belts and those are not cheap to change.
     
    sharkattack and duc995 like this.
  4. Jack Brock

    Jack Brock Well-Known Member

    sharkattack likes this.
  5. StaccatoFan

    StaccatoFan My 13 year old is faster than your President

    For that kind of money you may be able to get a 2013 or newer used Ford Fusion in good shape and relatively low miles.
    I had a friend, yes he's a Ford guy, talk me into looking at one when I was shopping in 2013....I took a test drive and decided to give it a chance.
    I got a Hybrid because I wanted to give that a try too, but without he indignity of owning a Prius.

    Almost 8 years later, over 185,000 miles, it's still running strong and I'm getting 45mpg. It's my daily driver, back and forth to work jalopy now.
    If it gets a scratch, I no longer care, as long as it runs and gets me from A to B.

    If Ford wasn't ceasing production, I'd definitely replace it with another. I cannot see their resale value being awesome since their a discontinued model.

    I got a 2020 Highlander Hybrid instead as the heir apparent. I drive it when I have my son now.
    It's rated at 35mpg....and I'm getting 35mpg...WAY happy with this car so far. But it's only been like 2 months. Hopefully it lasts at least until he graduates.
     
  6. rice r0cket

    rice r0cket Well-Known Member

    CR is good, they're one of the few independents left that buy their own cars and survey owners directly to get feedback. That makes them good when there's nothing but noise/hype out there, but for a used car in that range though, you're probably looking at 4-5 years old (?) and there's probably plenty of data points out there already.
     
    sharkattack likes this.
  7. aaronson

    aaronson Well-Known Member

    Try here . https://m.carcomplaints.com/
     
    sharkattack likes this.
  8. TurboBlew

    TurboBlew Registers Abusers

    I did this in 2017... prices were absurd for cars with 6 digit mileage with T or H as the brand. I ended up buying a new hyundai for $15k and stopped playing "whats effed up on this $10,000 used ride"
    Took about 30 mins to do the deal. My kid has a worry free ride.
     
    sharkattack likes this.
  9. Bloodhound

    Bloodhound Well-Known Member

    At a 9-10K budget I would "try" to stretch it and just buy something like a new Hyundai or Kia...leaning towards the H for the 10yr/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I was surprised when my ex-gfs daughter Kia was "using too much oil" between changes and they made note and had her return at either 1K or 1500 miles and checked...it was low and they ordered a new engine under warranty.

    Korea wants to be the next Toyota/Honda to the US car market...badly.
     
    sharkattack, TurboBlew and ducnut like this.
  10. Bloodhound

    Bloodhound Well-Known Member

    ...back to CR opinions. I'm really not sure with their ratings and I disagree with several of their ratings with my money on the line for longevity and expected ownership length.
     
  11. GixxerJohn011

    GixxerJohn011 Well-Known Member

    I dropped my Consumer Reports subscription when I found the beeb.
     
  12. beechkingd

    beechkingd Well-Known Member

    If they could muzzle their wacko ideals and get back to just reviewing products I would have a lot more respect for them. Auto wise though they seem to be pretty good. Per the green = good ratings systems the only real choice is a Toyota. Every time I've strayed from the recomended good rated cars I've had to do a lot of work to them for the items that are noted in the less than ideal categories.

    The only car that I've saw them rate highly that was a POS was the first gen Porsche boxster. I can understand why though, the engines started D chunking cylinders at around 80-100K miles and as a low usage vehicle they reviews they were getting were good... until they blew up.
     
  13. sharkattack

    sharkattack Rescued pets over people. All day, every day

    I’m not sure, but I think Honda uses a chain on their 4 cylinders. My CRV (4 cyl) had a timing chain, while my Pilot (V6) has a timing belt. You’re right; it’s not cheap to change those timing belts.
     
  14. sharkattack

    sharkattack Rescued pets over people. All day, every day

    My Dad always drove a Crown Vic or Grand Marquee. He got loads of miles out of them. At the time, I think that was one of the few domestics they rated highly.
     
  15. sharkattack

    sharkattack Rescued pets over people. All day, every day

    I had a 2010 Hyundai Tucson that was a decent car until it was totaled. It held its value well, too, when it came time to settle with the insurance vultures.
     
  16. R Acree

    R Acree Banned

    They have kind of jumped the shark.
     
  17. Motofun352

    Motofun352 Well-Known Member

    Order your priorities.....Mileage? Safety? cost? reliability? You get different answers depending on what is most important to you and your kid. At 10 grand you can't have everything.
     
  18. Greg ZX6R

    Greg ZX6R Well-Known Member

    You might also look at forums for whatever model you're looking at, though most people will only post problems they've experienced, not that that's a bad thing.
     
  19. RossK6

    RossK6 Grid Filler

    I used CR to help understand the dealer profit structure on a new car - not sure if they have it today, but you used to be able to get information regarding dealer rebates, incentives AND holdbacks to help you negotiate your best price on a given model
     
  20. Once a Wanker..

    Once a Wanker.. Always a Wanker!

    I'm a member, and their 'negotiating' info. and suggestions are nothing like they used to be. When you start looking for particulars on a model, and put your zip code in, you'll get linked to nearby new car dealers.

    I was very disappointed, after using them successfully in 2012.
     

Share This Page