I was wondering about that, but was waiting to check my Consumers Reports car tests on it.
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Car reccomendation for Father-In-Law
- Thread starter DaveH
- Start date
Subaru consistently ranks very low in the yearly JD Power surveys, in both Long Term Dependability and Initial Quality.
We can argue all day about which is more accurate and scientific, a magazine reader survey or random owner survey, but I don't see the point (and we've been there before).
Links to the most recent surveys:
2006 Initial Quality:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=1132
2005 Initial Quality:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=984
2005 Vehicle Dependability Survey:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=996
And here's a report I hadn't seen yet, the 2006 APEAL Survey:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=1139
The APEAL Survey is a study of which vehicles are best-liked by their owners (features, comfort, performance, etc.). The results are often opposite of quality surverys - people love thier Hummers and Mercedes even though the things are in the shop more often than other brands. That phenomenon is not seen among Subaru owners however - in addition to being low quality, Subaru is not well-liked by owners either, third brand from the bottom.
I'm not anti-Subaru and I'm not bashing Subaru owners (they can be thankful they don't drive a Jeep or Isuzu after all). But I did feel like you called me out to back up my statement.
-Bob
By the way, as a condolence to Subaru owners (who I'm not bashing, remember), the Subaru Baja ranked among the top-three in class for "Midsize Pickup", tie with the Honda Ridgeline but below the Ford Ranger.
That was the only Subaru model to rank this year.
-Bob
That was the only Subaru model to rank this year.
-Bob
That's odd. Everybody I know with a suburu (and I know a lot, they seem to be Vermont's most popular car) loves them. My mother had two (one with 150K, one with 195K) and they were very reliable, but they were older models. Its popularity and appreciation in Vermont probably has to do with the AWD. Here, people really like the AWD, because it actually is quite useful about 4 months out of the year.
The AWD brings us to the reasons I don't have a Subbie, though. I think that they are kind of expensive for what you get and they get kind of bad gas mileage. Both those traits can be attributed to AWD.
Most people I've knows with Subarus liked them also, but dispite the cars' qualities. Typical Subaru owner's attitiude: "I know it's chincy and underpowered, but it gets me around." Like you though, I mostly knew people with older low-end models - the new ones are much improved and higher-grade interiors are available on many of the models.
The Foresters are very popular in yuppie-dominated Santa Fe. And the WRX STI is supposed to be serious fun!
The Subaru that I like best is the new Tribceca. The outside is butt-ugly, but really no worse than any other Family Wagon. The wraparound spaceship/alien head interior is absolutely incredible. Too bad they don't make an AWD roadster with that interior...
I suspect that the low APEAL rating can be largely attributed to the sub-200HP rating of most Subaru models.
-Bob
I'm pretty sure you can get a nice, solid, well equipped Avalon for under $25k. I've put about 65k on mine in the last few years and the only thing it lacks is 4WD. Nice sized trunk, great on gas ( I can get 30 MPG if I'm careful), well appointed interior, and it's a good size inside as well--4 large adults no problem.
Yes, the look is very blah, but it's as good a sedan as you could ask for at that price.
If you're looking at a used car, too, make sure it's certified, and look at what you can get covered under an extended warranty. Toyota replaced my struts, windshield wiper motor,seatbelt retractor and a few other things not only at no charge but also paid for my rental car. I've got about 1,000 miles left on the 100k extended warranty so I'm feeling pretty good about them right now
Yes, the look is very blah, but it's as good a sedan as you could ask for at that price.
If you're looking at a used car, too, make sure it's certified, and look at what you can get covered under an extended warranty. Toyota replaced my struts, windshield wiper motor,seatbelt retractor and a few other things not only at no charge but also paid for my rental car. I've got about 1,000 miles left on the 100k extended warranty so I'm feeling pretty good about them right now
I'd suggest the Subaru WRX wagon which has 4 wheel drive or the Honda Accord V6 with Leather if he's looking for a more quiet car. The Nissan Maxima and Altima are both great cars also. You can't go wrong with any of those mentioned. The new Toyota Camery and the Honda Accord would probably be the best choices though. If he's a sporting guy he'd definitely get a kick out of the WRX.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2006
- Messages
- 509
before you rule them out, go try a new ford 500, better rated quality in build and reliability than several of the afforementioned cars, MB has fallen on hard times as far as i am concerned. I know 4 coworkers who have bought them and ALL had serious build and reliability complaints. Even one who bought the new big S class has had it back living at the dealers, electrics and hydraulics are wonderful when working,but having owned the car for 5 months and driven it for 2 is not what he wants.
Camrys and Accords are built in the US, by american workers.
The best BMW are now built here, as far as owners satisfaction and fewest warrantee complaints.
Camrys and Accords are built in the US, by american workers.
The best BMW are now built here, as far as owners satisfaction and fewest warrantee complaints.
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2006
- Messages
- 317
I make my living working on cars, I can tell you that Subarus are the most underated auto out their. I would take a subaru over any foriegn vehicle out there, They run forever and when they do break they cost a lot less to repair, Hondas are overated & overpriced, they are a good car but not as good as subaru or toyota and they are the most expensive to repair, The european cars are only prestiege cars, they are quality built but you could by 2 subarus what one ot them will cost you and they will not last any longer and if you think they are expensive to buy, wait till you pay for a few repair bill on them, speaking from 40 years of experiance from a pratical standpoint. And another thing I have found automotive consumer reports to be pretty much worthless. As an earlier post mentioned, I agree, I have not yet met a unhappy subaru owner. If you want value you can not go wrong with a subaru.
Leon Pugh
Leon Pugh
Consumers Reports rates Subarus as "Much Better Than Average" for dependability and as good cars to buy. They particularly like the Forester as a small SUV, their only reservation being that it has tight leg room in the back seat. The front seat, however, they rate VERY highly for comfort. There is plenty of head and leg room. I, personally, would avoid the turbocharged version as I have had bad experience with turbochargers. They are basically consumable items according to the mechanics with whom I have discussed them and are expected to wear out after a 125,000 miles or so. But others' results may vary.