yay for domestics. Thats it.... Im selling the 4Runner
Top-ranked JD Power cars are out of production
Top-ranked cars out of production
By Jim Mateja
Tribune auto columnist
While several automakers are still celebrating the results of the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study released a week ago, perhaps they should temper their glee.
A high ranking in the Power study, it appears, is akin to being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated when it comes to future expectations.
The survey included responses from about 48,000 owners of 2001 model cars after three years of ownership.
Buick, Lincoln and Cadillac finished in the top five, ahead of such Japanese notables as Honda, Acura and Toyota.
So there was cause for the domestic automakers to cheer.
But looking at some of the names of individual cars that scored well gives cause for extending sympathies.
For example:
The Chevrolet Prizm finished second in the compact car category behind the Toyota Corolla. Prizm, based on the Corolla platform, hasn't been sold since 2002.
The Cadillac Eldorado finished third behind the Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45 among luxury cars, but the Eldorado disappeared after the 2002 model year as well.
The Buick Century and Regal finished No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, behind the Toyota Avalon in the midsize premium segment, but Century and Regal are replaced by the LaCrosse for '05.
The Chevy Malibu topped the entry-level midsize segment. Yet that's the last-generation Malibu replaced by a new generation for 2004, so the award winner is no longer sold.
And the Chrysler Concorde placed first in the full-size sedan segment. But after a handful of '04s were built, production ceased so Chrysler could convert from the front-wheel-drive sedan to the rear-wheel-drive 300.
So winning isn't everything.
Surviving is.
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By Jim Mateja
Tribune auto columnist
While several automakers are still celebrating the results of the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study released a week ago, perhaps they should temper their glee.
A high ranking in the Power study, it appears, is akin to being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated when it comes to future expectations.
The survey included responses from about 48,000 owners of 2001 model cars after three years of ownership.
Buick, Lincoln and Cadillac finished in the top five, ahead of such Japanese notables as Honda, Acura and Toyota.
So there was cause for the domestic automakers to cheer.
But looking at some of the names of individual cars that scored well gives cause for extending sympathies.
For example:
The Chevrolet Prizm finished second in the compact car category behind the Toyota Corolla. Prizm, based on the Corolla platform, hasn't been sold since 2002.
The Cadillac Eldorado finished third behind the Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45 among luxury cars, but the Eldorado disappeared after the 2002 model year as well.
The Buick Century and Regal finished No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, behind the Toyota Avalon in the midsize premium segment, but Century and Regal are replaced by the LaCrosse for '05.
The Chevy Malibu topped the entry-level midsize segment. Yet that's the last-generation Malibu replaced by a new generation for 2004, so the award winner is no longer sold.
And the Chrysler Concorde placed first in the full-size sedan segment. But after a handful of '04s were built, production ceased so Chrysler could convert from the front-wheel-drive sedan to the rear-wheel-drive 300.
So winning isn't everything.
Surviving is.
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1 - 15 of 15 Posts
This guy is missing the point.
If the last-gen Malibu was topping the list, what are the chances that GM would strive to make a worse vehicle?
The Century/Regal are being replaced. I would think that would automatically mean good things for the replacement.
How does this author think they can do long term reliability tests? Obviously they are LONG term? In the car industry things change. This guy most know that.
It's a fluff piece, not sure why his editor approved it.
If the last-gen Malibu was topping the list, what are the chances that GM would strive to make a worse vehicle?
The Century/Regal are being replaced. I would think that would automatically mean good things for the replacement.
How does this author think they can do long term reliability tests? Obviously they are LONG term? In the car industry things change. This guy most know that.
It's a fluff piece, not sure why his editor approved it.
Another sad example of anti-american-oem bs.
the Chevy Prizm WAS a Toyota Corolla with a badge change....The Chevrolet Prizm finished second in the compact car category behind the Toyota Corolla. Prizm, based on the Corolla platform, hasn't been sold since 2002.
isn't the current Seville the same basic thing with a couple more doors?The Cadillac Eldorado finished third behind the Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45 among luxury cars, but the Eldorado disappeared after the 2002 model year as well.
the Malibu, if i'm not mistaken, is still sold, right? just as rental cars... i bet you could get one if you wanted it. you can buy cop cars, so why not?The Chevy Malibu topped the entry-level midsize segment. Yet that's the last-generation Malibu replaced by a new generation for 2004, so the award winner is no longer sold.
STUPID STUPID ARTICLE. things in the auto industry change faster than ever now, no car will be exactly the same in 3 or 4 years any more. those that remain the same will lose sales to the ones that change.
however, we all know that many brand new models suffer first year quality issues, so just because a car is designed to be better doesn't always mean all the bugs are worked out in the first year.Rex Raider Posted on Jul 7 2004, 11:43 PM
This guy is missing the point.
If the last-gen Malibu was topping the list, what are the chances that GM would strive to make a worse vehicle?
The Century/Regal are being replaced. I would think that would automatically mean good things for the replacement.
Bingo!Originally posted by SilverZ@Jul 7 2004, 07:41 PM
Another sad example of anti-american-oem bs.
Using this idiot writer's logic, you could make the case that the entire survey is meaningless since almost all the new cars now are next generation vehicles.
Mark
I shall never again doubt the ability of journalists to find new ways to deflate the accomplishments of the Domestics.
This really is too much.
I guess these journalists feel compelled to bring everyone down to their unaccomplished levels rather than praising others' successes. I don't imagine a single one of these journalists will be awarded for their mediocre writing...
This really is too much.
I guess these journalists feel compelled to bring everyone down to their unaccomplished levels rather than praising others' successes. I don't imagine a single one of these journalists will be awarded for their mediocre writing...
The fact is that this is actually very very good news for the domestics. It points out that domestics were actually better in the long run in 2001 than the imports. No one will say that the domestics have given up ground when in fact they've gained a lot in initial quality in the past three years. So that means that more than likely the domestics will have a commanding lead when they rank that cars in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
I agree, Anti American BS is everywhere you look these days. Look at the years it took for the Mags to accept that the CTS is the class leader, it was not until it outsold the 3 Series that car mags started saying it’s the best of the Bunch, they like nit picking on small things like edges of the floor mats, just to be critical….Originally posted by SilverZ@Jul 8 2004, 12:41 AM
Another sad example of anti-american-oem bs.
I'm far from "anti-American" but the CTS isn't "class leader." It's a nice car, especially with a stick, but it's hardly the best out there. I'd take the Infiniti G35 or (dare I say) the BMW 3-Series (shudder) over the CTS. But that's just me and my experience behind the wheel of the three cars.
When did the CTS outsell the 3-Series? I don't remember that happening. In June, for example, the 3-Series outsold the CTS more than 2-to-1 in the US (9,587 BMWs vs 4,743 CTSs)...and the ratio nearly holds true for the first half of this year (54,954 BMWs vs 29,233 CTSs). And this is a GOOD year for the CTS.
Floor mats weren't the problem with the CTS...interior quality was.
When did the CTS outsell the 3-Series? I don't remember that happening. In June, for example, the 3-Series outsold the CTS more than 2-to-1 in the US (9,587 BMWs vs 4,743 CTSs)...and the ratio nearly holds true for the first half of this year (54,954 BMWs vs 29,233 CTSs). And this is a GOOD year for the CTS.
Floor mats weren't the problem with the CTS...interior quality was.
"...the ratio nearly holds true for the first half of this year (54,954 BMWs vs 29,233 CTSs). And this is a GOOD year for the CTS."
not to get off topic-but I will.
I admire the CTS, but i love my 3 series coupe. Keep in mind that the 3 series is offered in sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible versions to the CTS' lone sedan configuration. The sales volumen speaks well for the caddy.
In fact, BMW is rumored to nix the idea of moving the next gen 3 series coupes and convertibles to a 4-series nomenclature because of the adverse result it would have on the bragging rights of their 3-series volume car line.
I do agree the interrior of the CTS/SRX is horrible. I wouldn't want to stare at it everyday.
not to get off topic-but I will.
I admire the CTS, but i love my 3 series coupe. Keep in mind that the 3 series is offered in sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible versions to the CTS' lone sedan configuration. The sales volumen speaks well for the caddy.
In fact, BMW is rumored to nix the idea of moving the next gen 3 series coupes and convertibles to a 4-series nomenclature because of the adverse result it would have on the bragging rights of their 3-series volume car line.
I do agree the interrior of the CTS/SRX is horrible. I wouldn't want to stare at it everyday.
SVX:
Good point. While I don't believe any vehicle should be handicapped because they offer too many body styles (or any vehicle supported because they offer too few), we should compare apples-to-apples. In 2002 (the last year I have numbers for), sedans made up 60% of the 3-Series mix in the US...which STILL puts the 3-Series ahead of the CTS.
Good point. While I don't believe any vehicle should be handicapped because they offer too many body styles (or any vehicle supported because they offer too few), we should compare apples-to-apples. In 2002 (the last year I have numbers for), sedans made up 60% of the 3-Series mix in the US...which STILL puts the 3-Series ahead of the CTS.
Well, look at the reliability of the old rwd A-bodies (Cutlass Supreme) (later A-Special or G-body) compared to that of the FWD A-body (Cutlass Ciera).Originally posted by Rex Raider@Jul 7 2004, 11:43 PM
This guy is missing the point.
If the last-gen Malibu was topping the list, what are the chances that GM would strive to make a worse vehicle?
The Century/Regal are being replaced. I would think that would automatically mean good things for the replacement.
How does this author think they can do long term reliability tests? Obviously they are LONG term? In the car industry things change. This guy most know that.
It's a fluff piece, not sure why his editor approved it.
Or, the current Mercedes E-class versus the last-generation 210 chassis model?
Ford Fairmont versus Ford Tempo anybody?
AMC Concord or Eagle Premier?
Ford Capri or Mercury Capri?
I am certain the new Malibu will be a more reliable car, but dips in quality have happened, and will continue to do so, somewhere...
Definately fluffy tho
Whatever...the replacements for those cars (Cobalt replaces Prizm in a way, STS replaces Seville which in turn is an Eldorado "EXT", 300 replaces Concorde and is much nicer, etc.) should do even better in JD Power surveys so I'm not at all worried.
Most of the vehicles that topped out the JD Power survey are either now out of production, have undergone a major revision, or will be doing so very soon. So instead of saying that Detroit is screwing up by killing off these reliable vehicles, maybe you should praise them for improving what are already some of the best cars and trucks on the road.
Stupid.
Stupid.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
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