Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

Well, after a few years, being under warranty doesn't eliminate the risk of failure or breakdown. Just who pays for it (with certain wear part exceptions).

Your Benz hitting 4 years old doesn't mean it will become any less reliable.

Sometimes it's not a matter of becoming unreliable, but rather that around 80K-90K some expensive components become "expendable". It's not all that uncommon for things like struts, brakes, an alternator perhaps, the AC system, or even just a really expensive 100K service to start adding up.

e.g, On an Audi S4, 7-8 years old, an alternator is $665, a single headlight assembly is $1100, starter motor $745, axle CV joint kit $770, replace damaged wheel $800. + labor of course on all these. It can add up.

abacomike

Imagine the cost of replacing a fan motor on a front ventilated seat in a Mercedes-Benz!  The part would be inexpensive - but the labor would cost an arm and a leg. 

qbrozen

I feel compelled to share this horror show.

stickguy

Interesting.

I want the red Alfa parked up against the building in the first picture.

driver100

bwia said:

Not a car story but the technology behind this voyeurism video  is amazing. I just watched the Erin Andrews peep hole video in full color and frankly that lawsuit is more about boosting her career (a la Kim Kardashian) than emotional damage.

As far as these things  go I was expecting to see a grainy black and white video but instead it was a tasteful color video with Erin primping and combing her hair in front of a full length mirror. BTW, she looks great with no surgical enhancements.  She should be proud to show off her assets instead of dragging a frvilous invasion of privacy lawsuit through the courts.

Nonetheless,  the hotel is at fault for providing her room number and other personal details. For that they should be fined perhaps $500k but nowhere near $75 million. 

Where is the link????

Just joking....not really fair to look at this kind of thing, though I bet it is one of the most watched sites out there.

btw....it seems she did really benefit from the publicity...but, still not right. $75 million sounds a bit much, but not protecting her privacy should be worth a few $100k or even a few $million....I wouldn't like it if it happened to me.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

I feel compelled to share this horror show.

Somewhere, in a garage on a forgotten street in a deserted midwestern town, in the pre-dawn hours of a ferocious storm punctuated by thunder and lightning and wind----something has gone horribly wrong.

thebean

qbrozen said:

I feel compelled to share this horror show.

Oh, the humanity.  

driver100

iluvmysephia1 said:

That's one reason I trade at the end of the warranty period. I just hate waiting around to find out what repair my car needs and how much it will cost. I hate having a breakdown in the middle of a trip, or when I need to be somewhere at a certain time. Actually, it is a way to avoid stress in my life...extra amount I pay is worth it to me.

driver100 - this is on my mind now as my 2011 Kia Soul heads towards the end of its Warranty period (mine ends on 07/01/16).

Iluvmysephia, I would do a few calculations at this point. Something like this.


EXAMPLE 2011 Fusion. When new $30000
Trade in value $15000.
Cost to own $5000 a year

Keep Fusion 2 more years
In 2 years it will be worth $11000 plus some money put into it...real worth like tires $10000
Cost to own over 5 years (30K - $10k =$20k) or $4000 a year.

The new Fusion would cost about $1000 a year more to drive....it will have a warranty...it should be more reliable. Also, it is forced savings.......the difference in price for a new car next time will be lot less.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Interesting.

I want the red Alfa parked up against the building in the first picture.

huh. good spotting. A GTV. It isn't listed in their inventory.

driver100

stickguy said:

Well, after a few years, being under warranty doesn't eliminate the risk of failure or breakdown. Just who pays for it (with certain wear part exceptions).

Your Benz hitting 4 years old doesn't mean it will become any less reliable.

I respectfully disagree. A 4 year old Benz and the mileage will make a breakdown more likely. More important, the chance of a costly repare is much more likely...computers, transmission, engine etc.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

Well, after a few years, being under warranty doesn't eliminate the risk of failure or breakdown. Just who pays for it (with certain wear part exceptions).

Your Benz hitting 4 years old doesn't mean it will become any less reliable.

Sometimes it's not a matter of becoming unreliable, but rather that around 80K-90K some expensive components become "expendable". It's not all that uncommon for things like struts, brakes, an alternator perhaps, the AC system, or even just a really expensive 100K service to start adding up.

e.g, On an Audi S4, 7-8 years old, an alternator is $665, a single headlight assembly is $1100, starter motor $745, axle CV joint kit $770, replace damaged wheel $800. + labor of course on all these. It can add up.

Exactly! It has become more costly to keep repairing a car than replacing it. It is like TV's, there aren't any repairmen left because it costs more to fix them than it is to buy a new one. Not quite the same, but, there comes a point when it is just better to bite the bullet and get a newer car......my tolerance for problems is low, so I'll pay the extra amount to lessen my chances of having a problem.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

I feel compelled to share this horror show.

Somewhere, in a garage on a forgotten street in a deserted midwestern town, in the pre-dawn hours of a ferocious storm punctuated by thunder and lightning and wind----something has gone horribly wrong.

lol.

I wouldn't mind it if they put a more normal spoiler on it....but, I guess they wanted to make it like the Super Bees of once upon a time......

imidazol97

driver100 said:

I wouldn't mind it if they put a more normal spoiler on it....but, I guess they wanted to make it like the Super Bees of once upon a time......

This way you don't have any trouble finding it in a large parking lot. It works like the ribbons and ornaments people used to put on their CB half-wave antennas.

stickguy

No way you lose track of that. If mark worman saw that, he might have a stroke.

qbrozen

based on the superbird.


Funny, though, the headlights on this custom don't even fit as good as the original 1970 version.

ab348

A "custom"!

What is even more bizarre is that the boiler-plate write-up doesn't even mention those finely-crafted additions.

Not for those who don't like undue attention.

qbrozen

ab348 said:

A "custom"!

Well, it sure ain't factory!

and, yeah, I was also looking for SOMETHING about how/from whom/from where this fine work came to be.

thebean

driver100 said:

Well, after a few years, being under warranty doesn't eliminate the risk of failure or breakdown. Just who pays for it (with certain wear part exceptions). Your Benz hitting 4 years old doesn't mean it will become any less reliable.

Sometimes it's not a matter of becoming unreliable, but rather that around 80K-90K some expensive components become "expendable". It's not all that uncommon for things like struts, brakes, an alternator perhaps, the AC system, or even just a really expensive 100K service to start adding up. e.g, On an Audi S4, 7-8 years old, an alternator is $665, a single headlight assembly is $1100, starter motor $745, axle CV joint kit $770, replace damaged wheel $800. + labor of course on all these. It can add up.

Exactly! It has become more costly to keep repairing a car than replacing it. It is like TV's, there aren't any repairmen left because it costs more to fix them than it is to buy a new one. Not quite the same, but, there comes a point when it is just better to bite the bullet and get a newer car......my tolerance for problems is low, so I'll pay the extra amount to lessen my chances of having a problem.

This may be true for German brands, but for Honda & Toyota it is cheaper to keep them after the warranty runs out and pay for the repairs.  At least that's been my experience.  As for being stranded, neither my 2001 Lexus ES300 (still driving it) or my 2002 Honda Civic (traded in Dec15) ever left us stranded anywhere.  Regular maintenance and buying dependable cars allow you to drive them for a long while and save money.

roadburner

thebean said:

This may be true for German brands, but for Honda & Toyota it is cheaper to keep them after the warranty runs out and pay for the repairs.  At least that's been my experience.  As for being stranded, neither my 2001 Lexus ES300 (still driving it) or my 2002 Honda Civic (traded in Dec15) ever left us stranded anywhere.  Regular maintenance and buying dependable cars allow you to drive them for a long while and save money.

I've had a similar experience with my BMWs as well as my Mazda. I paid off the X3 in January of 2007; I weep to think how much money I would have saved if I'd only continued making a $450 car payment rather than making an occasional to the X3...

fezo

roadburner said:

fezo said:

OK. I missed that one. Do tell.

The reveal

Very nice and I don't normally care for white and automatics, like you don't like holes in the roof.

Can relate to the alternate car for stick. That's one reason for the Miata.

The 5 has an unfortunate manual mode - everything you cited that the M doesn't have. At that point may as well leave it in automatic mode, though it can accelerate a lot faster in manual mode, though not touching 4s - or even 5s.

fezo

iluvmysephia1 said:

fezo - did you like your Mom's Datsun 510? That car and its predecessor Bluebird 411 are resting on my backburner lately quite nicely. Sort of like the anticipation of Seattle getting the Sonic's back for some NBA action.

The 510 was great but not the fastest thing in the world. Nice, comfortable, reliable car and a wagon to boot. I probably should have bought one at the time because not long after that I got the Rabbit which was easily the worst car I've ever owned. This coming from the guy who had the Windstall.

A friend had a 72 510 wagon which was a great little car. Back then parts for Datsuns were tough to come by.

houdini1

driver100 said:

bwia said:

Not a car story but the technology behind this voyeurism video  is amazing. I just watched the Erin Andrews peep hole video in full color and frankly that lawsuit is more about boosting her career (a la Kim Kardashian) than emotional damage.

As far as these things  go I was expecting to see a grainy black and white video but instead it was a tasteful color video with Erin primping and combing her hair in front of a full length mirror. BTW, she looks great with no surgical enhancements.  She should be proud to show off her assets instead of dragging a frvilous invasion of privacy lawsuit through the courts.

Nonetheless,  the hotel is at fault for providing her room number and other personal details. For that they should be fined perhaps $500k but nowhere near $75 million. 

Where is the link????

Just joking....not really fair to look at this kind of thing, though I bet it is one of the most watched sites out there.

btw....it seems she did really benefit from the publicity...but, still not right. $75 million sounds a bit much, but not protecting her privacy should be worth a few $100k or even a few $million....I wouldn't like it if it happened to me.

Well, I would love to have it happen to me....as long as I got to collect $50 to $75 million. I would be putting on a show for the judge and jury too. Crying, wringing my hands, maybe fainting a time or two.

Joking aside, that hotel was dead wrong to give her name and room # out to anyone, then double down by giving the guy a room next door. I have always thought it was SOP not to do this. I am sure the judge will send a message to other hotels on this one. Since any award is tax free, lawyer fee excluded, I could probably get by on $25 Mill.

stever

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I wouldn't mind it if they put a more normal spoiler on it....but, I guess they wanted to make it like the Super Bees of once upon a time......

This way you don't have any trouble finding it in a large parking lot. It works like the ribbons and ornaments people used to put on their CB half-wave antennas.

Saw a pickup here the other day with a similar wing bolted on the back of the bed.

driver100

"houdini1"

Well, I would love to have it happen to me....as long as I got to collect $50 to $75 million. I would be putting on a show for the judge and jury too. Crying, wringing my hands, maybe fainting a time or two.

Joking aside, that hotel was dead wrong to give her name and room # out to anyone, then double down by giving the guy a room next door. I have always thought it was SOP not to do this. I am sure the judge will send a message to other hotels on this one. Since any award is tax free, lawyer fee excluded, I could probably get by on $25 Mil

l.

Yeh, but, houdini, your video would only get about 27 hits!

I agree, the hotel made a huge error, not sure it was $100million error. Whenever I have called someone in a hotel they put you through to the room, but, they don;t give you the number of the room, for obvious reasons. How could they do that?

bwia

Well the jury sent a message alright and it was swift an expensive. "A jury has awarded Erin Andrews $55 million in her lawsuit over a secretly recorded nude video that a stalker took of her in a hotel room and posted online." http://townhall.com/news/entertainment/2016/03/07/the-latest-jury-begins-deliberations-in-erin-andrews-suit-n2129820

andres3

Seriously? Millions? Even Hundreds of Thousands doesn't make sense for just a simple privacy violation in the Erin Andrews Case. I'd be willing to bet it would have taken FAR less than $75 million for Playboy to convince her to expose the same amount prior to this incident. Of course we'll never know what her price would have been, but I'm guessing 10 years salary or so would do it!

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

I feel compelled to share this horror show.

Awwww...it's a baby Superbird. Very cute but why put a big PLYMOUTH sticker on the side of a DODGE?

roadburner

stever said:

I wouldn't mind it if they put a more normal spoiler on it....but, I guess they wanted to make it like the Super Bees of once upon a time......

This way you don't have any trouble finding it in a large parking lot. It works like the ribbons and ornaments people used to put on their CB half-wave antennas.

Saw a pickup here the other day with a similar wing bolted on the back of the bed.

There was a Daytona trim package for Dodge Ram pickups that featured a wing on the end of the bed- crazy!

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

Well, after a few years, being under warranty doesn't eliminate the risk of failure or breakdown. Just who pays for it (with certain wear part exceptions).

Your Benz hitting 4 years old doesn't mean it will become any less reliable.

Sometimes it's not a matter of becoming unreliable, but rather that around 80K-90K some expensive components become "expendable". It's not all that uncommon for things like struts, brakes, an alternator perhaps, the AC system, or even just a really expensive 100K service to start adding up.

e.g, On an Audi S4, 7-8 years old, an alternator is $665, a single headlight assembly is $1100, starter motor $745, axle CV joint kit $770, replace damaged wheel $800. + labor of course on all these. It can add up.

Exactly! It has become more costly to keep repairing a car than replacing it. It is like TV's, there aren't any repairmen left because it costs more to fix them than it is to buy a new one. Not quite the same, but, there comes a point when it is just better to bite the bullet and get a newer car......my tolerance for problems is low, so I'll pay the extra amount to lessen my chances of having a problem.

Or do like I do and buy old cheap beaters. Forget about repairing anything that doesn't move it down the road. When you can't stand to be seen in it any more you park it on the side of the road and walk home.

I couldn't stand the thought of paying $1100 for a headlight assembly.

stever

roadburner said:

There was a Daytona trim package for Dodge Ram pickups that featured a wing on the end of the bed- crazy!!

That's all I can find with an image search - the one I saw had a tall wing like off a Superbird.

abacomike

andres3 said:

Seriously? Millions? Even Hundreds of Thousands doesn't make sense for just a simple privacy violation in the Erin Andrews Case. I'd be willing to bet it would have taken FAR less than $75 million for Playboy to convince her to expose the same amount prior to this incident. Of course we'll never know what her price would have been, but I'm guessing 10 years salary or so would do it!

You seem to be taking the stance of a talent manager - negotiating for women who have a price for disrobing in front of photographers for broadcasting and distribution rights.  Andres, I take exception with/to your comments about this horrible situation.  

PF_Flyer

Let's move back to the automotive world please. There are plenty of places online for this line of discussion if you really want to have at it. This would really not be one of them.

Thanks in advance for your assistance with this!

explorerx4

Those Town Cars 's are not made anymore, but they are tough.

msn.com/en-us/news/crime/cops-stop-car-with-tree-wedged-in-grille-charge-driver-photos-go-viral/ar-BBqsgbm?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=DELLDHP

PF_Flyer

Wow... if you're gonna DUI, I guess this would count!


I would LOVE to have heard the explanation

Mr_Shiftright

I can just hear her now: "When am I gonna get out of this forest?"

You have to be moving pretty fast to snap off a 4"-5" diameter tree like that.

oldfarmer50

Gotta love those CL scammers. Been a ton of similar postings the past few days. All painfully obvious. Here's a few I copied before they got flagged.

comparison07 Jeep Grand Cherokee-orqh - $2500



07 Best.Price.Cherokee.

fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic

External Temperature Display
Front Bucket Seats tremendous
wrhq Rear anti-roll bar



snow10 Chevrolet Equinox-dcsqhper - $2500
image 1

10 Best.Price.Chevrolet.

fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic

Fuel Economy Display
Seats Cloth Upholstery damage
kluij Bottle Holders - 4


And the best of all:

06 Honda Spiritual Civic EX - $1820



2006 honda civic ex

fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic

Equipment includes but not limited to GM 355 ci/375 hp Blue Print crate engine, Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, Holley street avenger carb., aluminum radiator, Hooker ceramic coated headers, MSD ignition system, 700R4 transmission, 60 rear end with Strange Engineering 4.10 gear set, B&M shifter, Many billet aluminum parts under hood including hood hinges, alternator bracket, a/c bracket, transmission dipstick etc., powers steering, new wiring harness, Vintage Air a/c and heat,Custom Auto Sound/JL Audio stereo system, Cragar wheels, BG Goodrich Radial T/A tires, new black interior. Great car built with all the best high end parts

Mr_Shiftright

If people didn't fall for it they wouldn't be doing it.

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

I can just hear her now: "When am I gonna get out of this forest?"

You have to be moving pretty fast to snap off a 4"-5" diameter tree like that.

Yea, it's interesting how little damage there is to the vehicle. I daresay they have a chance to make it to one of my favorite sites.
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/newphotos/weird/weird449.shtml

stickguy

pretty impressive how much weight those wires can hold! Yet 1" of snow and a little wind, and down they come.

Mr_Shiftright

Where I live a squirrel can take them out.

[Deleted User]

PF_Flyer said:

Wow... if you're gonna DUI, I guess this would count!


I would LOVE to have heard the explanation

The driver was trying to make their car carbon neutral. Fail.

driver100

PF_Flyer said:

Wow... if you're gonna DUI, I guess this would count!


I would LOVE to have heard the explanation

I know what it would be if the driver of that car was on Judge Judy. That tree suddenly got in my way, there was no way I could avoid it.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Gotta love those CL scammers. Been a ton of similar postings the past few days. All painfully obvious. Here's a few I copied before they got flagged.

comparison07 Jeep Grand Cherokee-orqh - $2500



07 Best.Price.Cherokee.

fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic

External Temperature Display
Front Bucket Seats tremendous
wrhq Rear anti-roll bar



snow10 Chevrolet Equinox-dcsqhper - $2500
image 1

10 Best.Price.Chevrolet.

fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic

Fuel Economy Display
Seats Cloth Upholstery damage
kluij Bottle Holders - 4


And the best of all:

06 Honda Spiritual Civic EX - $1820



2006 honda civic ex

fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic

Equipment includes but not limited to GM 355 ci/375 hp Blue Print crate engine, Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, Holley street avenger carb., aluminum radiator, Hooker ceramic coated headers, MSD ignition system, 700R4 transmission, 60 rear end with Strange Engineering 4.10 gear set, B&M shifter, Many billet aluminum parts under hood including hood hinges, alternator bracket, a/c bracket, transmission dipstick etc., powers steering, new wiring harness, Vintage Air a/c and heat,Custom Auto Sound/JL Audio stereo system, Cragar wheels, BG Goodrich Radial T/A tires, new black interior. Great car built with all the best high end parts

What makes you think it is a scam OF?

I ordered the Jeep

driver100

I got this official looking notice in the mail today. It says the warranty on the 2013 Passat has run out and I should call this 1-800 number right away to maintain the warranty, until 2023 or 100k miles.

The wording and body make it look like it was sent from Volkswagen and it says "official response requested"
I wonder how many people fall for this one?

driver100

A few days ago I saw a Scion sports car and it had a chrome finish...like a mirror.
First, how much does that cost to have done?
Second, WHY?????????

ab348

bwia said:

Well the jury sent a message alright and it was swift an expensive. "A jury has awarded Erin Andrews $55 million in her lawsuit over a secretly recorded nude video that a stalker took of her in a hotel room and posted online." http://townhall.com/news/entertainment/2016/03/07/the-latest-jury-begins-deliberations-in-erin-andrews-suit-n2129820

Reality is probably much less than that. The award was split between the hotel chain (Marriott I believe) and the guy who did it. That guy was in jail already and probably would have to scramble to come up with $22, much less $22 million. I think Marriott is probably good for their chunk, whatever it may be after the inevitable appeal.

fezo

PF_Flyer said:

Let's move back to the automotive world please. There are plenty of places online for this line of discussion if you really want to have at it. This would really not be one of them.

Thanks in advance for your assistance with this!

OK, boys. Back to washing machines,,,

ab348

Quotes are in on the heat pump installation. Naturally, I am confused.

My objective here was initially to get air conditioning in the summer. I have a 2006 high efficiency forced hot air Tempstar gas furnace that has been flawless. When that was installed I got a quote on a central air coil to go with it but passed at the time. With the development of mini-split systems I figured I would just get one of them since my main living area is all on one level and except for the bedrooms is fairly open. The basement id mostly finished space but I don't use it and really don't care about it, except that of course being a basement it tends to be somewhat clammy down there at certain times of the year.

I got 4 companies to come in and quote me. 2 of the 4 did a push to have me get a ducted heat pump integrated into the furnace, essentially the next generation of the A/C system that was proposed 10 years ago. They argued (sensibly I think) that the ductwork was already in place, that it would control the basement humidity , and that it would deliver cool air to all rooms. The guys selling the ductless heat pumps argued why heat/cool space you don't use, and that their technology was far more efficient. That last part appears true.

What disappoints me is that the heat pumps that are used with the ducted systems are nowhere near as efficient as the mini-splits. It seems that technology has not migrated over to the larger ducted units. If you want to pay a significant premium you can get a 2-stage compressor and that's about it. There are a handful of variable speed models out there but nobody here seems familiar with them and they weren't quoted, probably because they are very pricey. The 2 quotes that came in for ducted units both spec'ed Lennox pumps, which seem OK but people online have commented they are noisy outside and naturally there are folks who have had problems with them. I suspect Lennox is pretty good, maybe not top of the line but OK. The mini-split quotes are more straightforward and if I go with one of them the decision is easy, I'll probably go with a Fujitsu or possibly a Daiken unit. The premium to go with a ducted system over these is about $2500-$3000. The thing is, if I go with the mini-split and later conclude I need another one for either the downstairs or the bedrooms, that price advantage flips around.

Pondering, pondering...

snakeweasel

cdnpinhead said:

PF_Flyer said:

A quick straw poll... How many transmission issues have you had with any vehicle you've owned?

It's worth differentiating between automatic vs. manual transmission issues. Of course, these days only a few percent of us still cling to manuals, but a significant portion of the reason why is that they almost never break, and when they do, they cost much less to fix.

I've made a reputation on more than one board making fun of the people who put up with automatic transmission miseries when they could have chosen the simpler bulletproof option.

Due to miserable rush hour traffic that I usually drive through I have opted to go with the automatic transmissions. I have taken many of those cars well over 150K miles and if you replaced one clutch in your life you spent more on that "simpler bulletproof option" than I have on all my auto trannys.

snakeweasel

andres3 said:

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

snakeweasel said:

suydam said:

snakeweasel said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

stever said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

Even though I haven't even test-driven an Audi or a BMW before, I could see how I might like one. An S4 perhaps - I just tread carefully with costs

Audi just blew the doors off in the 2016 Consumer Reports best car brands report. "They need to have consistency across a range of models in reliability and drive quality to get to the top," (USA Today)

So everything we thought we knew about spotty reliability of Audis is wrong.

Kia came in at number 9, a couple of spots ahead of Hyundai, which surprised me.

Doesn't say what the basis for this "reliability" is, but apparently, using the same testing methods, the top single car was the Chevrolet Impala. So I guess we can say Chevrolets are better than Audis?

Doesn't CR use self reporting surveys to make these reliability lists? If so those surveys are notoriously inaccurate.

The database is huge and extends over many years. If they don't have enough data (new model, not enough buyers reporting), they won't make an evaluation.

It may be huge and extend over many years but it still is a self reported survey and self reported surveys are unreliable.

Depends what you are self reporting about. That is an overly blanket generalization that just doesn't pass muster.

Sorry it doesn't depend on what you are self reporting. In any self reporting surveys there is a strong bias of those doing the reporting. People replying to surveys like this can either respond based on perception , on idealized views, with wishful thinking, on frustrations and a few other things that can cloud judgment in these areas participants can even be lying. Even something like timing can cloud a persons reporting. Say a minor electrical issue with a car happing now could cause the respondent to give the car bad marks. Yet six months down the road that same person may have a different view on the situation and think it's not as bad.

It's not a overly blanket generalization since groups that do such surveys go through extensive steps to weed out issues with self reporting surveys. And some just won't do them because of issues with them. Just remember that a few years ago there was such a survey that showed that about 10% of the UK's pregnant teenagers were virgins.

All the problems with self-reporting you cite are resolved with sheer numbers. Having a large enough sample size does wonders. It equalizes those that are skewed "due to a recent problem" with those that are loving their vehicle because of no recent problems in short-term memory. Unless one car is giving more "recent" problems to make a larger percentage of the population give bad marks, it should be the same across the board; great for comparing results.

Sorry but a larger sample does nothing to address the issues with self reporting surveys. The problem with the no recent issues issue is that people tend to remember issues longer if a car has a reputation of poor reliability over a car with a better reputation (or at least in the owners mind). It's like a self fulfilling prophecy.