West Bloomfield, MI (PRWEB) August 19, 2008 -- Truedelta.com, the automotive website that provides fast, accurate vehicle reliability, fuel economy, and pricing information, has announced the latest results of its Vehicle Reliability Survey (VRS.)
The results capture owner experiences through the end of June 2008, and reflect TrueDelta's ability to provide car buyers with the "freshest" reliability information.
This set of results even includes a couple early 2009 models, the Nissan Murano and Jaguar XF. "This is the soonest we've ever been able to provide initial reliability information on a new model year," noted Michael Karesh, developer of TrueDelta.com, "and it clearly demonstrates the ability of our research process to provide information on new models far ahead of other sources. With TrueDelta, buying a new design no longer has to be a crapshoot."
In this case, the Murano's launch has been cleaner than most recent Nissan new product launches. Owners of the all-new SUV reported a repair rate of 16 successful repair trips per 100 cars per year, which is much better than the typical new car.
The Jaguar XF has not been faring nearly as well. The sample size for the XF is very small, so TrueDelta won't be issuing an official result for this model. But the reported repair rate is so high--well over three times the average--that even this limited amount of data clearly indicates a higher than normal number of "teething issues"--chiefly minor electrical problems--for the new Jag. A more solid result will be included with the next update, in November.
The new results also include the 2008 SMART ForTwo and Saturn ASTRA. The SMART has attracted a strong fan base owing to its unique character and exceptional city fuel economy. Averaging a little under a single repair trip per year, the ForTwo requires about 50 percent more repairs than the typical 2008 model.
The Saturn ASTRA is assembled by GM in Europe. The last car GM imported from Europe, the Cadillac Catera, could be troublesome. Not so with the ASTRA, whose owners reported a repair rate of 29 successful repair trips per 100 cars per year--about half that of the typical 2008 model.
There is hope for the Jaguar XF and SMART ForTwo. Many new models improve in their second model year, or even later in their first year, as the manufacturer identifies and corrects "bugs." With its prompt quarterly updates, TrueDelta will report any such improvements soon after they occur.
TrueDelta also provides more useful information for those considering older cars. Karesh notes, "For other model years, our data is over a year more recent than our primary competitor's. When considering a car, do you want to know how reliable it was a year or so ago--or do you want to know how reliable it has been recently?"
About TrueDelta.com
One of the most innovative automotive websites, TrueDelta has repeatedly identified ways the Internet can be leveraged to better serve the information needs of car buyers and car owners. Car owners join TrueDelta as "panel members" and provide TrueDelta's data through brief online surveys. In exchange for their participation, these owners receive full access to TrueDelta's quarterly results free of charge.
Through rapid growth, the number of vehicles in TrueDelta's panel will reach 33,000 this month. This growth is due in part to enthusiastic support from owner forums such as NICOClub.com, NissanMurano.org, SmartCarofAmerica.com, and SaturnFans.com. These forums were essential in quickly building a viable sample of Nissan Murano, SMART ForTwo, and Saturn ASTRA owners.
Car owners can view the latest VRS results and become involved at TrueDelta.com.
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