You know those arcade games where you drop a quarter in, and if it lands just right a bunch of previously dropped quarters–that appear to be teetering on the edge–will fall into the trough? Well, TrueDelta’s Vehicle Reliability Survey is much the same way for me. As people respond at the end of the quarter, I watch as the number of models with at least the minimum number of responses increases day by day. Okay, hour by hour.

There are always a bunch of models RIGHT ON THE EDGE, just a response shy of being included. As the responses come in, it’s very gratifying to see them get that last, essential response that puts them over the top.

And then there’s the end of the collection period, where we now are. Yesterday morning there were four models a single response shy of the minimum for no asterisk, and three more just two responses short. A larger number of models were just a response or two shy of being included at all, with an asterisk.

I sent special emails to all non-responding members for these models. Which put a few models over the top. This morning I set another round, and as a result a few more models will be in the upcoming official results. Yes, I just keep dropping those quarters in the slot.

I’m extending data collection for the quarter through the weekend, and will be watching the results table intently. A few models remain SO close…