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Porsche beats Lexus in initial quality, Ford shines for 2nd year straight
Posted: June 4th, 2008
Buzz up!Filed under: Ford, Honda, Industry News, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota
J.D. Power and Associates released its 2008 Initial Quality Study results today which showed that overall vehicle quality improved to 118 problems per 100 vehicles in 2008, down from 125 in 2007. FoMoCo was a shining star for the second consecutive year with Mercury being the highest-rated domestic brand, beating Honda coming in behind Mercedes-Benz and Toyota.
However, Ford’s Lincoln dropped drastically to number 14 from its number 3 spot in 2007. This gives the Mercury brand the chance to laugh at its big brother. Audi posted the largest improvement in ranking, moving from number 26 in 2007 to number 10 in 2008.
Porsche held on to its number 1 spot followed by Infiniti and Lexus (who is supposed to be known as the quality king). Toyota tied with Mercedes-Benz at number 4.
OH GOD TOYOTA TIED WITH BENZ :sick:
No. Porsche has always done well with the Initial Quality survey, also number 1 for both 2007 and 2006.
Last year (2007) Toyota was tied for number 6 with 112 defects and MB was number 5 with 111. So it appears that Toyota has jumped 2 spots with 104 and MB jumped 1 spot with 104 as well.
Lexus should take notice at this given that it dropped from number 2 last year to number 3 this year, the defects also jumped from 94 to 99. The real winner this year for this award is definitely Infiniti, it jumped 7 spots, dropped defects from 117 to 98 and beat out Lexus for the number 2 spot. BRAVO!!
By the way, what's up with BMW?
2007 IQS
2008 IQS
I really think this award is next to pointless unless you only plan on owning the car for the first 90 days. The one that I am interested in is the 36-month survey.
Not a fan. I think the CL Class interior is absolutely stellar, but other than that I generally don't like most M-B interiors, especially the American built SUVs. The S-type is basically just scaled down XJ on the inside, very, very dated. The Enclave doesn't do it for me either. It seems like they were trying to copy the Phaeton, but had a budget of $20.
Indeed. Cars that drive like BMWs and can match Lexus on reliability should give Toyota something to worry about. Audi also deserves credit for their improvement, and this proves that they shouldn't be lumped in with Volkswagen when discussing quality and reliability.
Audi always has good quality but reliability is what those two often got bashed on.
To me, initial quality does not equal to reliability, not at all.
That's true. Has the 2008 JD vehicle dependability study been released yet? Audi didn't do particularly well there last year, though they were still far ahead of bottom feeder VW.
What car do you own. ls460?
Well IMO your next car will be infiniti lately you been really impressed with it.
$$$$$
Ford must be giving them away.
Bingo!
...but I don't see Chrysler's way through it. They've just had one bomb after another, and there's nothing in the pipeline in any way relevant to the market.
I completely agree, if one is going to fail it will be Chrysler. Not only are they putting out too many irrelevant, excessively large new cars, but each one has been crappier than the last (with the exception of the T&C/Caravan).
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
One quip: even the Lexus GS has an oddly small back seat, let alone the IS. It has a cramped interior compared to most other cars in its class. A 1 Series has more interior space than an Infiniti G37 or Audi A5, which means it wouldn't be much smaller than your sedan.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Whatever, this isn't a board for commenting on your parenting skills. However, a thought just struck me: Why didn't you just keep your GTI and save it for her? That would be a great first car.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Does anyone know whether or not the F01 will be available with AWD at launch? A 750xi would be quite nice
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
If she was OK with one, I'd allow for an IS250 slushbox. I have no issue with that... it's not for ME!!!... LOL!
Also...
Honda Civic, in 4-dr or coupe, also with autotragic.
She likes Jeep Wranglers, but I'm not sure it's OK with me yet.
She likes the Jetta, but does NOT like the GTI at all, otherwise that would have been a slam dunk!
She likes the 128i, but one 1er is probably enough, although I'm not saying no at this time.
She likes small pickups, so possibly a Tacoma, although I'm not hot on the truck idea.
It's still very early. None of this will happen until end of year at earliest. Hard to say what she will want, and what the '09's will be about, and what I'll approve and disapprove. For the most part, I'll be reasonable with her, and let her decide within a budget of some sort.
I'll probably push for a Honda, as I know the owner of the local dealership.
...this isn't a board for commenting on your parenting skills.
No, it's not... but my parenting skills are fine. Both kids are championship athletes, are getting near 4.0 GPA's, and are a ton of fun. We all get along! All because they've got a great mom, of course!!... and they DO!
TM
Work, family and driving my BMW slowly versus fast (due to those damned traffic cops) has eaten away from the spare time that I used to have in these forums.
Anyways I have no automotive updates about my life whatsoever to share with you folks except that some" hit and run jerk" smashed into my parked car and took off while I was not in the car
Lexus versus Audi/BMW ? I believe that my very unbiased opinion regarding this matter has already been revealed here.
Tagman good to see that you came back. Hotel California and the Luxury Lounge may have exits but you can never ever leave from both those places. I myself thought I left this place but here I am again. :surprise:
DHamilton good to hear that you want to get a BMW335i. My wife lovers her 5 Series and I am sure that your wife will love it too. Also you mentioned wanting to adopt from China. My suggestion: DO IT!!! Both my children (boy and girl) are adopted from China and their both the greatest joys of my life.
Take Care.
I have an older LS430 and a new Jag XK. I'm planning to pull the trigger on a new S6, probably next week. I am a big fan of Infiniti and I like the M45x a lot, but 5-speeds just isn't enough these days. I'm guessing it will be at least another year before the M gets the new 5.0L V8 and the 7-speed. When the lease on the Audi is up, I would definitely consider replacing it with an M50x Sport.
Yeah, I took a long break myself, but couldn't stay away... you were right.
What's this about your car being smashed by a hit-and-run driver? That's terrible!... How bad was it?
Glad you're back!!
TM
Regards,
OW
link title
Regards,
OW
Well, I had a choice of either a loaded IS250 or a bare-bone IS350, I went with power...
Yes I understand that the IS backseat is not much bigger (if it is...) than 1er, G37 and A5's but trust me, 2 extra doors makes all the difference. On short hauling duties (< 1 hr driving) I'll take a sedan, even it's a small one like the IS, over any of those coupes you've mentioned.
Are there actually good lease deals on such a low volume model like an S6?
Based on my experience with Toronto dealers it is best to lease high volume models and purchase low volume models. For instance during Sept 06 the lease deals for tthe 335i were terrible but quite compelling for the high volume 328i .
So are you still into diesels? My desire for diesels has waned a bit with these sky high diesel prices we've been having lately. I know this first hand since I still drive a 83 MB300D (a car that has the potential to becoming a collectors item)
link title
I guess you can never get rid of that classic diesel.
Well, my interest is diminished, of course... just like "they" want it to.
Actually, I expect the prices to stabilize by next year, but I have shifted my interest more towards hybrids. Also, I pray for the DieSotto engine to become a reality soon.
Perhaps you caught my post on the upcoming Honda CR-Z. I already have the first one reserved, just in case it's a winner. In addition, I'll probably take a peek at the next-gen Prius and it's Lexus counterpart. But, quite honestly, I am currently as confused with the direction I want to take my cars as I've ever been in my whole life.
TM
My take is everybody is confused to some extent. Because of the lag time for the new tech hybrids, H-tech and future plug-in tech, I will go another round with the conventional IC engine low-tech for 3 more years.
I believe the future tech will allow fantastic power advantages even with economics/efficiency. When you can quietly tear up apexes left and right and achieve over 50 MPG, we will have something. Then, we need out-facing speakers to warn everyone of the sweet sound of Porsche/Ferrari digital .MP3's pegged to the volt meter!!
It seems that the pace of change is accelerating in any event. The silver lining in today's climate, no doubt.
Regards,
OW
THAT's the reality.
So, logically, by the time there is a reasonable selection cars that can achieve 45 mpg (and I don't mean one or two models, but a SELECTION of models), gasoline will have gone up even more in its price to perhaps over $6.00/gallon... maybe more.
Bottom line, we will always be behind the eight ball, IMO, because it theoretically, in part, takes a small amount of time for executive action to raise fuel prices, but it then takes much more time for the advances in technology and product development to respond.
If cars got 100 mpg, then gas would be $8.00. When it comes to petroleum fuel, I don't believe for one second that the less the demand, the lower the price. Instead I believe that the oil companies will only produce just enough to meet demand, and at a price that provides a massive profit.
In fact, this greedy thinking was recently proved during a meeting with Saudi Arabia.
Unless you plan on putting solar collectors on the roof and hood of your car, you had better expect to pay dearly for energy.
TM
Ok. S6 :surprise: Thats a fast sedan IMO its too fast.
Thanks. It was a very tough and long decision between the S6 and Jag. Ultimately I just don't think the XF SV8 brings enough to the table other than the blower. It doesn't feel special like the S6 does, so I'm going to try the Audi for a few years, then maybe an XF-R.
The S6 is indeed very fast, but the grip provided by AWD always makes you feel confident behind the wheel. It can't do the sports car thing like the M5 can, but the S6 is much better to drive in day to day traffic, where the M5 becomes jerky and annoying. You also don't get ridiculous computer overload. You just put it in S, and the car takes care of the rest.
I've gotten consistent track times from 0-60 around 4.8 seconds in hot dry weather. So, yes it is fast!
Try to get the Solar Sunroof if you can. I love the feature in the summer. Also, the leather dashboard is beautiful if you ordered it. The stitching is very elegant.
I cannot imagine what the RS6 must feel like considering the S6 provides enough speed as it is.
Are you planning on having one located that best matches your criteria? Or have you already seen the one you want in inventory?
BTW, I need two camera recommendations from you. What do you consider the very best compact digtal? Also your opinion which model is the best DSLR?
TM
Regards,
OW
Bottom line, we will always be behind the eight ball, IMO, because it theoretically, in part, takes a small amount of time for executive action to raise fuel prices, but it then takes much more time for the advances in technology and product development to respond.
You hit the nail on the head!
Oil soars on $150 per barrel July 4 prediction
Friday June 6, 9:30 am ET
By Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press Writer
Oil prices blow past $134 on prediction that oil will hit $150 per barrel by July 4
I guess it will be a luxury to have ANY car very, very, shortlyl!!
Regards,
OW
Regards,
Jose
Titanium Silver Metallic Exterior
Black/Savanna Interior
Poplar Trim
Moonlight Soft Top
TM
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
Jose
In addition, I asked him for some advice about cameras.
Hope he gets back to us soon!
TM
Thanks! My S6 will be Phantom Black Pearl with the black interior, with warm weather, technology, and the leather dash. I decided against adaptive cruise as I've found those systems to be more annoying than helpful, and definitely not worth the huge premium in this case.
As far as cameras go, I'd suggest the Canon SD870 IS for your compact P&S. As for the DSLR, the new Canon Rebel XSi is currently king, if its within your budget. It's expensive for an "entry-level" DSLR ($780 for the body, $850 for the kit), but performance wise it competes with the much more expensive Nikon D300, as well as Canon's own 40D. If you don't want to spend that much, the Olympus E-420 goes for under $600 with the kit lens, and would be my second choice.
Best of luck with your awesome new ride. The S6 is truly a fantastic performance sedan.
Regards,
OW
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Now I'm very interested. Like seemingly every other performance/luxury sedan with some semblance of practicality, the S6 is on my to-do list, and it might just end up being the "perfect" combination of space, performance, luxury and style. I didn't think I'd end up with another Audi. We'll see.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
The power, looks, luxury, features, comfort, and all weather abilities put me over the top for the Audi vs. the Jag. I still really like the XF SV8, but it's too bland and Volvo-ish from the front. Hopefully they'll remedy that somewhat with the eventual R treatment. The S6 in black pearl looks absolutely sinister, I love it. It's what Darth Vader would drive
NO... NO... The S6 in black pearl overflows with elegance and class. Not something for Mr. Vader. It isn't sinister at all, but it does make a more serious and powerful statement... It's perfect.
TM