Here are the 12 cars drivers enjoy owning the least, according to a Consumer Reports survey of its readers, which asked, “Considering all factors…would you get this car if you had to do it all over again?
Rank / Model / % Satisfied
12 Chevrolet Aveo (sedan) 44
11 Ford Ranger 44
10 Mazda B-Series 44
9 Ford Freestar 44
8 Chevrolet Aveo (wagon & hatchback) 44
7 Chevrolet Equinox 41
6 Jeep Grand Cherokee (V6, gas) 41
5 Chevrolet Colorado (4-cyl) 40
4 GMC Canyon (4-cyl) 40
3 Bucik Terraza 34
2 Saturn Relay 34
1 Chevrolet Uplander 34
Bigger vehicles seem to dominate the list, perhaps their lower fuel economy leaves drivers sore at the pump in the face of rising gas costs.
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@yg17:
I think you’ve fallen behind the times. The Corvette doesn’t define the midlife crisis anymore, because domestic cars are a big no-no for former yuppies raised on BMW and Lexus.
Nope, nowadays Harley-Davidsons and giant lifted trucks (with plastic testicles hanging from the trailer hitch) are the tool of choice for compensating individuals. Led a life of corporate complacence? Let it ride on a Harley!
Besides, Corvettes have become too powerful for the typical midlife crisis meatsack to handle without hurting themselves. Better to stay away from the Z06 and drive something a bit tamer, like a Porsche Boxster, if a car has to define your midlife crisis.
@Leiterfluid: One is the hatchback wagon, the other is a sedan. Pretty shitty all around.
@Mad_Science: Touche on the Viper cylinder count. All I can say there is that it was late and I was typing faster than I was thinking…which is bad, mmm’kay? Especially in this case.
There is about 90-100 HP difference there…and over $10K…over the Z06, though I had to compare the price on the Chev web site to a an actual Viper for sale in my area since the local Chev dealers did not seem to have a Z06 listed. I admit to being ignorant of the pricing on these vehicles because I would never actually purchase either one so never bother to keep up on cost. The Car and Driver test was very close with the Viper outperforming the Vette by the slightest of margins (.2 of a second to 60, .1 sec and 1mph in the 1/4 mile, and 1 second on the twisties) but they still picked the Vette–because of the price tag and comfort. Both are valid reasons and people will make their decisions however they will.
The thing about this article/list is that Consumer Reports compiled the data from people who gave their opinions of cars that they actually own. Unless they were messing around with statistics in the back room to make sure the GM products were well represented at the bottom of the list (or top of the bad list, however you wish to look at it)…I would say that people who own them (the vehicles represented on the list) do not want to buy them again, regardless of which model (the Aveo was on twice because it is available as a hatchback and sedan) of the particular vehicle they bought.
Anyway, probably going to get roundly trounced again here and will run with tail between legs when it happens…only so much arguing I can do before giving up, not worth the effort at some point…LOL
@allirob: Forgot to add that the matchup was 2 years old that you posted…the latest C&D matchup was quoted here, trying to find the article on C&D:
[www.dragtimes.com]
@bmoredlj:
Here is how Consumer Reports came up with this list:
“The scores are based on the percentage of Consumer Reports subscribers who responded “definitely yes” to the question “Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?”
Our 2007 Annual Car Owner Satisfaction Survey drew responses about more than 415,000 individual vehicles, allowing us to provide scores for more than 300 models. The survey was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.”
I’m no rocket scientist, but I think 415,000 responses counts as statistically significant.
@allirob:
“Most SUVs are a waste and could be replaced by a nice station wagon Suburu”
Do you mean the 20%-owned-by-GM-before-2006 Suburu? Who would want to buy something owned and influenced by GM?
“The new Malibu looks like a Euro sedan but does not have the cache to go with it and cannot live up to that expectation of quality materials and superior handling/power. [...] All is debatable. That’s part of why we are here…right? =) “
Indeed
As such, let’s consider the “cachet” of European sedans. To what “superior” marque are we comparing the Malibu? Not BMW. Not Mercedes. Not Audi. VW attempts to market itself as having cachet — specifically that of a quality, premium product, neither of which it is these days. It has been trending toward the bottom of JD Powers for the better part of a decade. Who is left? Alfa? Rover? Renault? They carry no cachet in the States.
Regardless of whether the styling lends a European feel (and I agree with you there), why don’t we compare the Malibu with what it’s designed and marketed to compete against: the Camry and the Accord. It doesn’t need to carry a cachet to compete against those cars. Those cars have sold, historically, on the aspects reliability, content, and value. Not prestige or image.
And considering it’s been very well-reviewed even at its $17k base trim, I’d say it’s well on its way to beating those over-priced, over-rated imports at their own game… with style, to boot. The only people who will be preoccupied with “cachet” are the ‘$30,000 millionaires’ and those prejudiced against the bow-tie to begin with.
@allirob:
“Most SUVs are a waste and could be replaced by a nice station wagon Suburu”
Do you mean the 20%-owned-by-GM-before-2006 Suburu? Who would want to buy something owned and influenced by GM?
“The new Malibu looks like a Euro sedan but does not have the cache to go with it and cannot live up to that expectation of quality materials and superior handling/power. [...] All is debatable. That’s part of why we are here…right? =) “
Indeed
As such, let’s consider the “cachet” of European sedans. To what “superior” marque are we comparing the Malibu? Not BMW. Not Mercedes. Not Audi. VW attempts to market itself as having cachet — specifically that of a quality, premium product, neither of which it is these days. It has been trending toward the bottom of JD Powers for the better part of a decade. Who is left? Alfa? Rover? Renault? They carry no cachet in the States.
Regardless of whether the styling lends a European feel (and I agree with you there), why don’t we compare the Malibu with what it’s designed and marketed to compete against: the Camry and the Accord. It doesn’t need to carry a cachet to compete against those cars. Those cars have sold, historically, on the aspects reliability, content, and value. Not prestige or image.
And considering it’s been very well-reviewed even at its $17k base trim, I’d say it’s well on its way to beating those over-priced, over-rated imports at their own game… with style, to boot. The only people who will be preoccupied with “cachet” are the ‘$30,000 millionaires’ and those prejudiced against the bow-tie to begin with.
@Myron:
The survey was based solely upon responses from Consumer Reports subscribers?? And how would we define the demographic of their readership? So we have 415,000 oatmeal-eating grouchy Wilford Brimley types griping about their Aveos and GM minivans… complaining these vehicles aren’t the bargains they thought they would be. This is news?? This tells us more about Consumer Reports subscribers than it does about these cars. I know two Equinox owners who positively love their cars. They don’t read Consumer Reports, much less subscribe to the publication. I wonder how the survey of only a certain buyer/personality type affects the results that show up.
(there appears to be an unusual lag in comments being posted, my apologies for any duplicates)
@00solstice: Yes, your anecdotal evidence based on 2 folks you know trumps the opinion of 415K data points used by Consumer Reports.
In related news, the US continues to fall behind in math and science literacy:
[ap.google.com]
Americans, trapped on a debt-fueled upward spiraling conveyor belt of consumer mania… find the Aveo unsatisfying?
Stop the presses.
@Sam: have you had all 8 recalls done on your Odyssey?
@allirob:
Lets be realistic here. 2007 North American Car of the Year? Saturn Aura. Beat: Toyota Camry & Honda Fit. 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year? Cadillac CTS. beat: Honda Accord. Car that sits on the lot the fewest amount of days? Buick Enclave 27 days. C&D top ten list? Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS. Solstice/Sky average days on lot, 32 days. Be honest & don’t lie to make a point.
@LatherRinseRepeat: do you own any ATVs? Don’t load them using the tailgate of that Tacoma or Tundra. Why? It will snap.
@Myron:
Consumer reports admitted that they will no longer give Toyota a break when comparing vehicles due to its less than steller reputation this past year.
In related news, Myron continues to fall behind the times on current events.
Re: Most of you. Don’t assume or you will end up like the latest group of Toyota Camry buyers. Stranded on the side of the road due to a transmission problem that Toyota knows about, yet has done nothing.
Google. It works.
@coaster.n3rd: “Consumer reports admitted that they will no longer give Toyota a break when comparing vehicles due to its less than steller reputation this past year.”
What does that have to do with the original post? For hundreds of thousands of cars people were asked would they buy it again. They gave their answer. The results are tabulated. End of story.
@coaster.n3rd:
Be honest & don’t lie to make a point.
Ummm, not sure as to what you are referring to there…if there is a lie in what I said, please let me know what it was so I can be better informed…it would be from ignorance on my part, not an intentional deception. I can admit ignorance easily enough…everyone is ignorant in one way or another…
@Zombietime: Are you implying that Americans are junk?
@Myron:
No. [money.cnn.com]
Toyota was given a break and automatically awarded points by CR. The people have not spoken. CR did it for them.
@allirob: you said “this shows just how bad GM has become.”
No it doesn’t. It’s a blatent lie. 3 (or 1 depending on how you look at it) have been discontinued.
Research people. Research.
Ouch, except for the Aveos they’re all American.
I don’t mind if they’re mostly SUVs, people generally don’t need that kind of car. They just want it for its perceived power and safety. These are arbitrary values.
@00solstice: Certainly Renault has cachet in the States, that of being junk. People remember the LeCar and the Alliance, and not happily. Sure the LeCar was tossable and all, but c’mon – if you see any Renaults on the road these days, you really notice them, don’t you? Because it’s super uncommon to see one still rolling.
Nobody blinks twice at a Ford Maverick or even an AMC Eagle, and they’re from an even earlier period.
Don’t get me started on Peugeot. The last time I saw one moving on the road was also the last year they were imported to the States; the next year, nothing. When support for those things dried up, drivers abandoned them in droves.
I’ll keep my ’84 Crown Vic (27,474 actual miles on it when I bought it last year, one owner), and I don’t have to worry about what new cars are good or bad, although finding parts for it can be a chore.
@coaster.n3rd: I would not call that a blatant lie…I would call that an opinion…mine, based on the list. As I said in a followup post to another comment…I should have qualified the entire thing with “In my humble opinion”. I did not, for example, say that the whole state of Michigan was purple…that would be a blatant lie.
My opinion is that GM has not made a vehicle (excluding the Vette and GTO) lately that I would buy. I think that the styling is no good, the power-train choices generally suck and the technology (such as lack of Bluetooth) is not where I would like it to be. A fact is that out of over 400,000 people who answered the survey, a lot do not want the same GM car again, regardless of whether it is still being built…given the opportunity to buy it again, they would not have. We will have to wait to see how the replacements fare.
A fact is that though they are getting good reviews on their cars, they are still selling fewer…at least according to the NY Times, where I did some research:
[www.nytimes.com]
I am done here, this is a battle that cannot be won.
@coaster.n3rd: The cnn article you link to is concerned with RELIABILITY. This Consumerist thread deals with SATISFACTION. They are, believe it or not, separate questions.
i COMPLETELY understand why all of those chevrolets are on the list. they are the worst looking cars ever. Like A Turd! i got an one of those orange hearse addams family-looking car-trucks as a rental and was so embarrassed. it was horrible and the inside details looked marshmallowy. i think the industrial designers and engineers mustve been sharing crack or something. well, they ARE in detroit, so that would make sense, i guess.
my confession….we own an aveo hatchback for just getting around town and although we get laughed at because it’s so small and funny looking, my family loves it. it’s a no frills car, but does well on gas and is easy to park. it shouldn’t really be on the list, IMO. it was also less than 9K. not too shabby. we call it our zip car.
@Myron: Previously, CR had been extending its ‘recommended’ label to every Toyota by virtue of it being a Toyota. By and large, Toyota still makes great cars, but they’re trending downhill. When CR recommended new Toyota/Lexus models despite them being an all-new design (Tundra, ES350), this really came back and bit them in the ass when serious problems like snapped camshafts and tailgates began to arise on the Tundra, and the 6-speed auto that went into the V6 Camry/ES350 started developing torque converter issues.
I still consider CR ratings an important resource, but I don’t treat it as the bible that a lot of people think it is. Whether we like it or not, a CR recommendation is associated with quality – and it’s been responsible for selling a lot of Camrys and Accords. Just like the Ford Fusion getting a lot of press when they received a CR recommendation, the fact that the V6 Camry and GS450h has dropped off that list is going to cost Toyota a lot of sales.
TrueDelta (not affiliated with them, but with the Truth About Cars in previous posts) offers some commentary on the flawed methodology/conflict of interest with JD Powers and CR:
[truedelta.com]
[truedelta.com]
There are some really great new models from the Big 3 – like the Ford Edge, Fusion, GM Lambda (Acadia, Outlook, Enclave), CTS and new Malibu. And I know the Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 is on this worst-of list, but remember that they make an SRT8 version of it with 420hp, beating the Porsche Cayenne Turbo/BMW X5 4.8is for less than half of what they cost.
i don’t care about the list of cars – the interesting thing here would be to create a list of reasons, and match them. i mean, you know that an Aveo is gonna be ugly when you buy it, so that should be a legitimate reason for sending it back.
what were the main reasons for these cars’ suckage?
@yg17: I’m pretty sure your little obsession has little to do with the topic of car quality and owner satisfaction. Owning a sports car that is somewhat common has the advantages of convenient local maintenance and a ready supply of parts, in addition to the very high performance-to-cost ratio of the Corvette in its category.
@CSMiller: Dude ok yeah Hyundai was laughable in the 80′s and early 90′s but they are producing some really great cars now. I have 2 Hyundai’s a Sonata and a Tucson, I love em they are a great value for the money. I tested a bunch of cars before buying and really couldn’t find that much of a difference. Plus 100k/10year warranty….awesome. The only thing I have ever disliked is thier transmission is a bit wonky sometimes.
My wife had an Elantra and traded it in for a PT cruiser worst mistake ever car related. We hated that thing, we hated it so much we didnt mind losing $1,200 in the trade in.
@Caswell: Yes a lot of people are looking at a Harley as a status symbol and a way to recapture thier youth. I have been riding for over 10 years and I really noticed the change about 2 years ago. I ride a Kawasaki because I don’t have the money or desire to spend that much on a bike right now. I have friends who have over 50k invested in thier Harleys.
@Myron: The point was CR answers those for the consumer as was evident in that article.
@allirob: Back peddle much? You said “how bad GM has become.” Not “I think GM cars are not for me.”
What is your idea of a “lack of powertrain choices?” BMW, Honda, Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru use GM’s powertrains. Two-Mode Hybrid is the brain child of GM which is why the Tahoe won green car of the year. They cannot be lacking that much for all those companies to buy their powertrains.
Technology? Blue tooth? New CTS, Malibu (later this year) Saturn Astra all provide that. Without GM you would not have manual transmissions, power windows, airbags, traction control, VVT, heated seats.. the list goes on and on.
No need to wait for the replacements. Enclave, Outlook and Acadia are already trouncing the competition.
By the way, they talk about market share. But for the last 4 months, GM has continuosly been the largest auto manufacturer by sales volume.
@Nemesis_Enforcer: Yea, new Hyundais that I’ve looked at have immaculate attention to detail and fit/finish. The new Veracruz seemed to me as if it were better put together than the RX350. Hyundai just announced some early specs on their new Genesis sedan, too – you’ll be able to get it with a 375HP V8 for around $35K.
@nytmare: And the upcoming Corvette ZR1/Blue Devil with its supercharged 6.2L V8 with 650HP+ is going to be a Ferrari-beater, since the current Z06 can match Ferraris/Lamborghinis on the track as it is. The interior is pretty abysmal, but it won’t matter because you won’t be able to see the cabin clearly enough for it to matter when you’re accelerating.
@coaster.n3rd: BMW, Honda, Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru might have used a lot of GM transmissions in the past – and there’s no denying that GM makes some great automatic transmission, but a GM transmission in those cars is more exception than the rule these days. BMW usually uses Getrag/ZF, Toyota Aisin-Warner, and Honda develops their transmissions in-house.
GM did have involvement in the two-mode hybrid transmission, but it would be more accurate to say that they contributed to it (instead of calling it their ‘brainchild’), along with Daimler AG (which is why you’ll find it in the hybrid Durango/Aspen and an upcoming Mercedes hybrid SUV) and BMW.
@Myron:
Don’t try to wear irony, babe, it’s not your color. In your ham-handed attempt at delivering trite wit, you ignored my point: Those 415k data points are all Consumer Reports subscribers. What kind of person subscribes to Consumer Reports and how does that affect the cars that show up on the list?
Considering I know my friends and trust their opinions, I’d say their input trumps those of 415k people who pay for a magazine I wouldn’t pick up while waiting at the dentist’s, much less pay to have delivered to my doorstep.
@00solstice: Ugh. I give up.
Beam me up Scotty.
@Eric Lai:
Two-Mode is GMs hands down. Point me to where it says otherwise. BMW X series SUVs are GM transmissions. 4 speeds at that. Toyota Matirx/Corolla & Pontiac Vibe a NUMMI developed car. GM Trans, Toyota motor.
Not the past, the present. Getrag? Developed by GM engineers.
Come on guys. Quit ragging GM, get your head out of your asses and smell the truth.
Wow!!!! I think the list is wrong!!!! Why are all the cars American??????? Oh wait Union-Workers, over-managed, greedy-parts vendor, moronic engineers. I think that will do.
@coaster.n3rd: Global Hybrid Cooperation describes what the joint effort between Daimler AG and GM created, and the two-mode hybrid powertrain that go into GM/Mercedes/Chrysler/Dodge vehicles: [en.wikipedia.org]
The Matrix/Corolla/Vibe are indeed based on the same platform, and the Vibe is a rebadge of the Corolla, which came along first. All of them use Aisin-Waner Toyota ‘A’ transmission, not GM units: [en.wikipedia.org]
I don’t think there’s a single new BMW model left that uses a GM transmission – the X5 had one (along with numerous 5 and 7 series up until the early 2000′s), but the second-gen X5 now uses a 6-speed ZF: [www.motortrend.com]
Getrag seems affiliated with Ford and Dana, but not with GM, though it does supply manual transmissions for the relatively few cars that GM does sell with one: [en.wikipedia.org]
That said, I’m beginning to like what I’m seeing from GM – the new CTS embodies what a Cadillac should be, especially in 3.6L direct-injection form, the new Malibu is finally on par (or better) than Camry/Accord, and GM/Ford trucks have always been the best you could buy. I’m really excited about the upcoming twin-turbo 3.7L from Ford that we’re going to see in the Lincoln MKS in a few years.
I’m just going to jump to the end here and say that I have never heard of most of the cars on this list.
@allirob:
So basically you don’t like it that there are cars made with people other than you in mind.
@coaster.n3rd: I’m not sure, haven’t been following the auto world, but wasn’t airbags a Volvo gig, Idem with Toyota and the VVT?
@rioja951: Forget what I said!!
Went back to my old auto manufacturers historic database and got my record up to date.
OK, OK. I look like a total dipshiat, made specious comments and could not defend my position at all. Next time I will do exhaustive research with that there Googles thingy and make sure that I am perfectly aligned with the opinions and obsessions of those who read these posts and then still not say anything…it is probably safer that way. ;-P
“Satisfaction” is a funny concept without context. This year, my husband and I bought an ’06 SSR. If I had to do it over again, *considering the number of other financial commitments that have arisen in the meantime and stretched us nearly to our limits*, I would not. The payments are high and it both takes premium gasoline and has fairly low gas mileage. That doesn’t mean I regret the car or am in any way unsatisfied with it. It’s the best thing either of us has ever driven (despite the fact that it’s an automatic).
I’m usually very dissatisfied with Consumer Reports.If you want to learn about cars read a car magazine written by a bunch of car nuts who know what they’re talking about and you begin to realize they are biased against domestic car companies.That said,I wouldn’t even sit in the cars mentioned.
I have an Aveo5 (it’s different than the full bodied Aveo, but I’m sure equal in incompetence factor). I have had nothing but problems with it since day 3 of having it, it is year three, several recalled parts, car stalling, smoking, vents smoking, airbag sensors replacing, etc, etc. GM will get a lacky to call you if your not satisfied with their sub-standard product, yet instead of trying to please a customer, attempts to convince them that they have a good car. Safe, no, reliable…no, fuel efficient yes (because it doesnt run consistently). I was told once by a GM spokesperson that I would no longer have problems with this car. My response was saying “no thank-you..oh I’m sorry, I thought after that last outrageous comment, that you would ask me to buy some attractive swamp land in Florida”. I would NEVER again go with this scam of a vehicle. According to the attitude I’ve recieved by the company, they can afford to lose customers????