One of the major advantages of TrueDelta’s research process is that, if enough owners participate, we can have initial results for new models very quickly.

The best proof of this so far: the 2008 Buick Enclave (and the related GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook). Thanks to the help of EnclaveForum.net, with assists from AcadiaForum.net, Saturnfans.com,  and SaturnOutlookForum.net, we’ve already received over 40 responses from owners of these vehicles. Panel members have already seen preliminary results, and the general public will see official results in early November. The Enclave went on sale in late April, so this was a six-month turnaround.

These forums deserve our thanks for helping to demonstrate that there is a better way to conduct vehicle reliability research. J.D. Power won’t have reliability information on the Buick Enclave until the middle of next year. Consumer Reports won’t have it until a year from now.

In past years, Consumer Reports included spring intro models in its results as long as 100 or more survey responses were received. Problem was, many of these surveys were returned after just a few weeks or even a few days of ownership, leading to inaccurate results. I pointed this out to them last year. Perhaps in response, this year Consumer Reports’ results appear to include no early 2008s.  

My focus is now shifting to the February results, with a high priority on maximizing the number of 2008 models in those results. This will be tough, because in some cases the turnaround will have to be about five months, a month quicker than with the Enclave. But it is possible.

The models with the most 2008s so far:

Buick Enclave – 73 (includes sibs)

Nissan Altima – 18

Ford Escape – 16 (but spring intro, so not so likely)

BMW 5-Series – 15 (ditto)

Infiniti G-Series – 13

Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 13

Scion xB – 10

Cadillac CTS – 9

Nissan Versa – 9

Honda Accord – 8

Mazda CX-9 – 8

All of these are unlikely to make it into the 2008 results. But a few should. You can help. If you know anyone with one of these models, please tell them about TrueDelta’s research.

Back when the site was being redesigned, the designer I hired included the Acura TL, Honda Odyssey, and Kia Sportage in the header image because use of the images was not restricted and these were among the most researched vehicles on the site at the time. More than a few people have wondered why all of the vehicles are Asian; this is the answer.

He has offered to change the photos, and I think I’ll take him up on that offer. But which vehicles to use? How about the three 2008 models with the largest sample sizes in February. The Buick Enclave likely has a lock on one spot, but the other two remain open.