Hi, what do you guys think about CR reliability reports? These are unbiased, non subsidized surveys right?
In particular 2020 reliability minivan reports that Chrysler pacifica is most reliable minivan 5/5 ahead of sienna 3/5. The 2018 and 2019 models for pacifica reliability scores were awful. Do you think that this could indicate that Chryslers pacifica has turned a corner?
Thanks
This forum doesn't have a positive outlook on Consumer Reports. I personally sometimes look at their data but take it with a grain of salt. The surveys aren't influenced or payed or they pay out of their own money to buy their test cars and do all their testing themselves so they are in my opinion unbiased but they really aren't that accurate for many reasons.
For example an Audi could be rated higher than a Honda.
This might be actually true! If you use a Honda 20,000 miles a year and it happens to have a new transmission or engine you might experience more problems than your Audi that you drive 2000 miles a year that has all the short term kinks fixed, but will end up as a money pit later on.
The Chrysler Pacifica is too new for long term reliability results but considering FCA I doubt it will hold up. The most likely reason is because this is yearly short term data, and the Sienna is in its first year of the generation, which means it might have a lot of short term kinks to still get fixed, while the Pacifica has been out a while.
Thanks, makes sense. The interesting thing was that it is the 2020 sienna model which was rated 3/5. Which is the last year of that generation. Looking at the details of the report, it said that one of the causes of this score was 'transmission minor' issues. Being the fourth year of the 8 speed transmission for toyota, that should have given them enough time to work out the kinks, one would think...
Toyota had a lot of problems with the 8 speed even now. In fact even the 6 speed. Toyota tends to have transmission problems in the last 5-10 years for some reason though minor but CR takes it critical against Toyota.
I would never buy any Stellantis linked vehicle.
CR also noted Miata manual transmission issues and everyone hated on my answer to a miata question because I mentioned it...
What I do is, I take in everything with a grain of salt (including Scotty), and find a common answer to my question. I have been doing online research for many years so I have a good understanding. I find that if you ONLY watch Scotty's videos or take CR advice you will be mislead...
I have been doing research for a number of years and I find that if you ONLY listen to what Scotty says or what CR says then you will be mislead.
Scotty’s opinion -
See below: take their information with a grain of salt. Their recommendation to get numerous vehicles are not advisable for long term ownership - that’s what really troubles me. Then again, listen to the mechanics who work on the cars what to buy, and at the end of the day you have to do your own research.
CR mags make for mediocre toilet paper in a pinch. That's about the nicest thing I can say about them.
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