I used to do automotive market research for a living and also ran a big customer automotive satisfaction program, so I know how vague people can be, even if you use a well-designed questionnaire. I agree with you that the CR research methodology is weak. Being limited to CR readers makes it a biased sample which means it less than projectable. That's why I call it directional, as opposed to definitive data. I think of it more like a big focus group than a real statistical sample.

As for talking with a bunch of owners, you're right, it's not necessarily accurate data but it does provide some insights, even if they only warn you off a dealer. MUCH more useful is talking to techs who see the cars every day. This requires a specialist tech, like my Saab-only indy, and is very helpful. Like many others here on TSN, I can talk technical with a mechanic and get good info.

I bought my first Saab 9000 without the assistance of CR (which likely would have panned it). I used this site and a couple others, 6 people I know who had 9Ks, and 2 indys to give me the info I needed. Ditto for my wife's '03 9-5. My first Saab, an '84 C900, I bought it without checking anything. Most reliable car I ever owned.

CR is fine for household appliances. It may even be useful for people who look at cars the way they look at a washing machine. But I want a little more info about something as expensive and complex as a car. CR is just one bit of info to factor in and has less weight than some others.

posted by 24.52.16...

• CR bashers, Aero'ed, Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:24:42
  • They recommended Columbia Crest wine too. What a joke, Schu, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 10:48:21
  • I remember their review of point-and-shoot cameras..., dmz789aa, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 19:24:43
    • hmm, more faulty memory?, Aero'ed, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 09:30:44
      • what about when they rated bosch..., Bob M, Mon, 7 Aug 2006 11:39:20
        • again, your recollection of report doesn't match mine, Aero'ed, Tue, 8 Aug 2006 18:34:31
        • oh yeah..., Bob M, Tue, 8 Aug 2006 09:40:22
  • They only get bashed when the rating isn't liked, saw, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 19:14:38
    • I still bash them with good reason, Schu, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 05:40:43
      • but I guess you didn't read their speaker review, Aero'ed, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 09:17:52
        • This must be what you're talking about, Schu, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 11:25:11
        • I haven't read it in 5 years. Got a link?, Schu, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 10:46:19
      • Re: I still bash them with good reason, JimBlake , Thu, 3 Aug 2006 06:35:16
        • I think I see the issue there, Schu, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 07:17:12
  • here's the article, Aero'ed, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 17:54:11
    • It's a good piece. I figured the testers, Noel, Wed, 2 Aug 2006 06:38:21
  • sometimes..., oldsaab, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 13:40:15
  • Alleged bias..., Mike Lynch , Tue, 1 Aug 2006 12:53:18
    • Re: First Saab, BobS, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 20:46:55
      • Re: First Saab, Erik919kt, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 15:10:43
  • Re: CR is the reason I OWN a Saab in the first place.., anthonySF, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 11:29:55
  • CR: Milwaukee's Best and Strohs... Best beers in US, mikey, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 00:09:04
  • Re: CR bashers, jp, Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:33:28
    • LoL - Now that is fun ;-), saw, Mon, 31 Jul 2006 20:20:01
  • Re: CR bashers, yaofeng, Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:41:13
    • The 2 times I've paid attention to CR's car ratings, Noel, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 05:41:10
      • Re: The 2 times I've paid attention to CR's car ratings, George K, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 06:55:08
        • Yawn!, Noel, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 10:57:57
          • Couple of things..., CWilson, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 11:46:27
            • Re: Couple of things..., Noel, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 12:58:25 <-- Viewing This Message

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