March 2008 is just now ending, and already a number of 2009 models are available. Legally, a car can be a 2009 as soon as the 2008 calendar year begins. Some people will take exception with this. Why can’t the model years match the calendar years, or at least come close? Well, before make this request, consider the alternative. Some manufacturers… More →
Month: March 2008
Site design tweaks
People tell me the site could be easier to use. A more thorough redesign is coming, but in the short term I’ve made some tweaks, and they seem to be helping. 1. Reduced wordcount on the home page and the main reliability page. 2. Removed some extraneous design elements. 3. Placed text about the on-site surveys below the log in, so… More →
First models with 200 owners in the panel
I’m a few days late in posting this… Anyway, on the 16th the 200th 2007 Nissan Versa was enrolled in the panel. Big thanks are due to Nissan-Infiniti forum NICOClub.com. I thought this was the first model / model year combination to reach 200. However, a couple days later I noticed that if you combine the 2008 Buick Enclave, GMC… More →
When a sunroof leaks…
For years some people have avoided sunroofs because they can be a source of leaks. Personally I’ve never had one leak. But now that I’m conducting this research, I’ve learned that some of them do leak. Actually, it seems that sunroofs are designed to leak a little, just not into the car. Instead, a tube is fitted to the gutter below… More →
Relative vs. absolute reliability ratings
Every once in a while I come across an evaluation of TrueDelta’s Vehicle Reliability Survey results that reads, “Man, the X must be junk.” Such evaluations are always based on noticing that the repair rate for the model in question is among the highest reported for the model year. But it’s important to also consider the absolute repair rate. Sure,… More →
TrueDelta’s continuing domestic car shortage
We had a member quit in a huff last month because of TrueDelta’s “obvious bias” against domestic cars. He hasn’t been the first–there have been a handful of others–and he won’t be the last. His evidence: most of our Vehicle Reliability Survey results are for cars made by foreign-based manufacturers. And, for some reason, when rabid fans of domestic cars see… More →
A few thoughts on Consumer Reports’ auto issue
Spring is almost here, so Consumer Reports’ annual auto issue is out. A few thoughts now that I’ve had a chance to glance through the 2008 version. First, some old news. Many people assume that because the issue is new and Consumer Reports makes such a big deal out of it that the reliability information in the issue is based… More →
25,000 vehicles!
Just a brief announcement: TrueDelta’s panel now includes 25,000 vehicles! Way back when I started this was the number I thought I needed to provide accurate results for the most popular models. And the latest results included nearly 100 model / model year combinations. The most popular model in the panel: the Honda Accord, with 742 enrolled. The next most popular: the… More →
Do built-in navigation systems make sense?
First popular in Japan, navigation systems that are built into the vehicle have become a must-have option in the U.S. as well. Very common in luxury cars, they’re increasingly common in mainstream models. But do they even make sense? The advantages of built-in navigation systems are clear: you get a larger screen, a cleaner installation, and less risk of theft.… More →