Prius "The most reliable family vehicle available in America" according to:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...r_N.htm?csp=34

Scroll down to ratings.

Pearl is a
2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius
Package "B" (everything but leather, nav, and rear camera)

My results for the Prius are similar, just based on a better survey and much more recent data. The results released this week will be based on data that is about five months "fresher" than CR's.

Auto reliability research

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

I wouldn't rag on this guy. Complete vehicle failure in the middle of a busy highway is not fun for anyone using any kind of vehicle type.

I have read many reports of vehicles failing, but one more close to home was related to my old 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML-350. Forum member got one and a week later it died on the highway while at highway speed. In his case, he could not move the car...

The Mercedes ML-350 uses a new 7 speed automatic transmission with electronic level gear selector.

The point is, new technology maybe tested for years before it comes to market, but some are not. The first Hybrid cars on the market were little two seater cars, then it moved up to a little larger four door to the point now they are being put into anything without real testing being done. (through testing).

It doesn't matter who makes the car, they all have issues here and there. Hybrids are not miracle cars, they are just cars....

I would like to know what happened to this guy's car though.

Very sensible post. Looks like he didn't return with more details, though.

As always, my research needs more hybrid owners. Seems you can't have too large a sample--and mine aren't yet large regardless.

Auto reliability research -- need more hybrids!

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

That's the thing. Your sample sizes are limited and you're working hard at recruitment. But I'd be careful about selling your methodology with comparisons to Consumer Reports. That can be a turn-off for some, since we know that CR has tens of thousands of respondents. That kind of volume doesn't lie.

If you're turned off by these comparisons to CR, then you're having an emotional reaction, not one based on the facts. I invite you to more carefully consider the facts. Isn't that what CR says to do when the subject is anything but themselves?

First, if a survey is inherently flawed, as theirs is, it doesn't matter how many people respond to it. Ask a poorly worded question, and you'll get corrupted results, even with a large sample size.

Also, the number of respondents CR has cannot change the fact that their data is already over seven months old, and will just get older and older until next October. My data is currently over five months more recent than theirs, and the gap will grow to about 15 months before they refresh again.

I've already posted results for one 2008 model, and will have results for a number of others in early February. They will not have this information until next October. And even then my results will be nearly half a year fresher.

Bottom line is this: if you were buying a used car, would you want to know how reliable it was a year ago, when the car was a year younger, or how reliable it has been recently?

truedelta.com
Vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and price comparison information

I think you misunderstood me. Reliable questionnaires are half of the equation. Reliable respondents are the other. If you show me just 20 entries for a recent model car, then I will want to know why there are only 20 and what is motivating this group; Are they the pissed-off ones? Are they passionately in love with their new vehicle? Are they being objective?

People who bother to spend time posting online are unreliable. You see this all the time in forums and blogs. The user base reflects just a miniscule proportion of the all the vehicle owners. Sometimes they are sincere and sometimes they are innocently mistaken, but most will have a personal agenda. That agenda is manifested as some sort of propaganda. Take http://www.clubsmartcar.ca forums for example: There is an overwhelming insecurity and cult of denial about the diminutive car, so most of the outspoken user base is aggressive at fighting any and all criticisms, to the point of ludicrousness. Or, look at the Civic population. There is little to say about the car, apart from the occasional call for technical help. There is nothing really to be said, so what's left is the tuner and racing market, which repels others because they don't want to be part of that image.

You seek out forums and whatever other online avenues to get people to add to the database, and I respect your efforts and ambition. Someday you might cause a paradigm shift, Apple style, but the odds are against you. CR already has a huge subscription base to draw on, including lots of people who would never "step foot" in an online forum. Those offline respondents are important too in drawing up a final aggregate. CR has market reach and is accessible, which puts it head and shoulders in over what you are offering in terms of practical relevance. Therefore, I'm suggesting that you strictly emphasize what makes your data base great, rather than being another online voice with a chip on their shoulder over CR. Because, the arguments against CR aren't sound.

Thanks Spinner. To kinda amplify on your excellent post. . .I used CR to buy my Prius. Also a '93 Saturn (one of the best of the best) and a '95 Saturn.

CR is a constant source of information on a wide range of products which announces to me that their concern is more of the market place instead of a particular product (ax to grind).

Surveys to me only show a trend. That survey, no matter how recent isn't going to tell me if the product (car in this case) I'm about to buy is going to be outstanding or a dog.

Love Toronto. Get up there just about every year.

I feel so insecure, and yet aggressive at the same time!

2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
2005 smart fortwo cdi pulse cabriolet
1966 Peugeot 404 Coupé Injection
1989 Peugeot 405 DL

Two summers ago we stayed at, is it Malahat campground, right up the road from the Inn of that name (great dinners!).

Anyway, we saw a smart car that July - was that yours?