[dodgeatheart]

Let's face it, other than measured performance and measurable stats, most car reviews are the opinions of the individual reviewer. Even in "comparison tests" where the pull 5-6 cars and 5-6 journalists together, the picked winner and ranking is based on opinion.

The only added "facts" in CRs situation is reliability data, which I think we all can agree can vary greatly, and I think that effects the overall "recommended" status.

I know they also add in government and Insurance company crash data (the Camry lost their recommendation when the offset crash data became available causing Toyota to make a 2014.5 model year to fix it). This data, once again, is not sourced from CR.

What's that old saying? Opinions are like umm...holes, everyone has one?

 

[Int]

i'll give you guys one thing...you are a stubborn bunch!

They prefer 'obstinate' as it has an extra letter.

 

[Stratuscaster]

I'm always happy with a positive review, but I also will consider the source.

 

[TripleT]

I'm always happy with a positive review, but I also will consider the source.

Yeah to be consistent, I 100 positive FCA reviews will not change my assertion they are better off with toasters then cars

 

[JKU12]

If the recent heel turn on Tesla is any indication, they could come back in 2 weeks and amend this review/recommendation, too.

They probably will when the reliability scores in 1-2 years hit. That's what happened to Tesla. It's not that they changed their mind on the vehicle itself (i.e. what you get when you buy it), but the reliability data made them take off their recommendation. You have to produce a car that not only succeeds at the magical fairy dust calculations they are measuring, but then it has to meet those standards at a high reliability.

 

[JKU12]

Yeah to be consistent, I 100 positive FCA reviews will not change my assertion they are better off with toasters then cars

They are very good at measuring, does it have 4 wheels, 5 seats, and get you from point A to B on a road. If you are looking for anything else other than a car as an appliance, they are fairly worthless.

 

[Dave Z]

I know they also add in government and Insurance company crash data (the Camry lost their recommendation when the offset crash data became available causing Toyota to make a 2014.5 model year to fix it). This data, once again, is not sourced from CR.

There are a few litmus tests for being recommended. I can't really object to that.

 

[edvan]

Question: JD Power surveys gives hard numbers, so I can judge what is what. On JD Power, an average vehicle may have 1.1 issues, a bad vehicle 1.4 problems, in my opinion meaningless.
Does anyone know what a black circle means as opposed to a red circle on CRs scale?

 

[Stratuscaster]

 

[redhed]

hey, i liked the original title of this thread much better!

 

[GLHS60]

Have to remember, your in the land of the moderated!!

Thanks
Randy

 

[willy4110]

We're not stubborn ....or obstinate. We're just smart....!

 

[Mr. Fusion]

i'll give you guys one thing...you are a stubborn bunch! take a WIN when you get one! geesh!

Because it's CR -- even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

[edvan]

Strat:

I know what the labels are, not my question. Does a black circle mean that car is twice as troublesome as a red circle, 10% more or what? Does anybody know?

 

[koussevitzky]

Hey Mr. CR! This stick just fell out of your a... Nevermind.

 

[Mopartial]

Years ago, I wasted too much money on bad dishwashers, laundry soaps, cars, etc. all highly rated by CR, for me to ever trust them again.

 

[Stratuscaster]

I know what the labels are, not my question. Does a black circle mean that car is twice as troublesome as a red circle, 10% more or what? Does anybody know?

Technically, it DID answer your question. But now that you've clarified your question, I can say "I don't know." That's a great question to pose to the staff at CR, though.

My gut tells me it's not an exact science.

 

[Doug D]

Strat:

I know what the labels are, not my question. Does a black circle mean that car is twice as troublesome as a red circle, 10% more or what? Does anybody know?

The problem I have with CR's labels is they don't clearly define those terms. What's average? Average compared to what?

CR would probably die if they knew the vehicles I've owned over the years (mostly MoPar). At best they were rated "average", yet I've had at least 5 vehicles exceed 200,000 miles:

1986 LeBaron GTS - 273K miles
1992 Acclaim - 302K miles
1990 Acclaim- 240K miles
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT - 215K (and still rolling).
1993 Ford Aerostar - 204K miles

The Ford was probably the worst in keeping it going, not to mention very difficult to work on. The Acclaim's weren't perfect, but they were relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain.

 

[jerseyjoe]

No question, Charger, Challenger, 300 Ram and some Jeeps have been around long enough to be well sorted out. My kind of car. These Cars will be in your face a lot longer than haters suggest. Examples, Valliant, Dart, add your own MOPAR.

My next car will be near its end of successful production life.

 

[Charger Red]

No surprise here. After spending 15K miles of seat time with a 2015 Charger I'm still impressed. To me, there's absolutely no reason to consider anything else in this segment (which is small) but more importantly, this is evidence for those considering anything in the midsize class to "upsize" to Charger for the same cost. If/when they do, they'll see that they obtained a better product.