Best Value Cars and Trucks for 2014
Most of you are probably aware that Consumer Reports has published a list of the best (and worst) values in various categories of cars and trucks recently (Feb 2014 issue of CR). That attempt has much to be commended. It is based on three important vehicle criteria; road-test score, cost/mile (based on ownership costs over 5 years, assuming 15000 miles per year), and an index of reliability based on past experience with the brand/model.
However, the list has one little flaw that could easily be rectified to provide even greater utility for the readers. The article uses an average value line derived over all categories of vehicles together to separate the 'good' values from the 'bad' so to speak. I think it would be much better if the average used was category specific. After all, the road-test scores are category specific taking into account what the typical buyer of that category of vehicle desires. Moreover, the relative weight given to vehicle characteristics and performance (road-test score), overall cost of ownership (cost/mile), and reliability in the choice of vehicle differs for different categories of vehicles and buyers. So, it may be more useful to look at 'relative' good values and poor ones in each category rather than in overall terms.
Thought I would share my opinion on this topic.