I think CR buried the lede...

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
10/25/2016 at 10:18 • Filed to: None

Good for Buick, but damn, Honda, you’ve messed up.

DISCUSSION (31)

Rico > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 10:24

I always take these lists with a grain of salt. Audi besting a Honda in reliability maybe on that particular day, at that specific time, when the Sun was just right and the Planets were in alignment.

Long term we all know the Civic would be more reliable and cheaper to own/maintain but obviously no where near as comfy, sporty or aesthetically pleasing as the A3.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 10:25

I haven’t had time to write about it. But my 2006 Honda Civic EX turned into the biggest POS once it hit 65,000 miles. It had problem after problem after problem until I finally got tired of fixing it and sold it at 80,000 miles. Worst car I’ve ever owned. Completely changed my opinion of Honda.

mazda616 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 10:26

I think CR also takes into account ergonomic issues like infotainment problems and such. So, the Civic may have zero mechanical issues but a hard to use stereo and then it gets dinged reliability wise.

crowmolly > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 10:27

Never forget that CR gave the LS/Gen III engines a black circle when they were new.

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 10:33

People go nuts for the CR reviews on cars. I can’t think of a publication who’s opinion I value less than theirs when it comes to cars (besides carthrottle). If I need a new major appliance I will give CR a gander.

nerd_racing > Rico
10/25/2016 at 10:35

it’s alphabetical

Aaron M - MasoFiST > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 10:46

From Autoblog:

“ Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its “infuriating” touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda’s popular Sensing system, and the company’s decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system.”

Uh huh.

TheHondaBro > mazda616
10/25/2016 at 10:48

Honda has a horrible infotainment system.

E90M3 > Tripper
10/25/2016 at 10:49

I think people who used to buy cars in the era before the internet still trust CR, which is why my parents ended up with 2 GM shit boxes in the early 2000s. While people who bought their first car after 2000 then to look further and probably on the internet where you can get feedback from people who had the car more than a week.

for Michigan > mazda616
10/25/2016 at 11:08

They gave the Civic the boot because they don’t like the infotainment system, that Honda keeps their safety tech exclusive to the top trim level, or Honda’s version of blind spot tech. That’s it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > crowmolly
10/25/2016 at 11:13

Back when they really were good.

Shift24 > Aaron M - MasoFiST
10/25/2016 at 11:33

So when did changing the radio station or seating position become part of the cars reliability? I understand that the added safety features and infotainment center should be recognized but that doesnt affect the cars actual reliability. I want to know if they are having issues with the new Turbo motors and trans. Did they get it right or do they need refinement? Not bull shit about how you dont like their Lanewatch system.

STFU consumer reports

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Shift24
10/25/2016 at 11:35

To be 100% fair, after reading 3 more articles on this I found a quote that indicated the touchscreen systems had boot-up issues, so that at least is an actual problem. Still, absolutely zip on the mechanical reliability of the engine or transmission.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Aaron M - MasoFiST
10/25/2016 at 11:40

Limited selection?! Seriously... they really do need a two-tiered reliability ranking now, to show whether it’s an issue that will leave you stranded or an issue that will just piss you off.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper
10/25/2016 at 11:45

They definitely have too much sway, but they’re the only publication doing this kind of work that can’t be swayed by advertisers. When it comes to reliability on used cars, I do take their findings into consideration.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > crowmolly
10/25/2016 at 11:46

Yeah, their new car predictions have to be taken with a huge grain of salt.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mazda616
10/25/2016 at 11:48

They really need to adopt a two-tiered system to break out mechanical reliability and infotainment issues.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jay, the practical enthusiast
10/25/2016 at 11:49

Damn, that sucks. I had good luck with my ‘88 Acura Legend and ‘91 Accord. Just got back in the Honda game with my wife’s ‘14 MDX - hope it proves to be a good one!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > nerd_racing
10/25/2016 at 11:49

But Consumer Reports considers Audi to be the 5th most reliable brand.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rico
10/25/2016 at 11:51

Audi as a brand was ranked higher than Honda in this latest predicted reliability release - one has to wonder if that’s for a couple years, or for the life of the car. Has to be the former.

nerd_racing > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/25/2016 at 12:00

because their infotainment and ergonomics are better

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 12:06

I would agree that they are one of the more reliable sources for correct data, but I don’t care about that data haha. I’m sure it’s just because I love cars, but driving dynamics are paramount to me. The joy I get from an exciting car trumps the “reliability” factor for me. I increase my chances with potentially unreliable cars by being anal about maintenance/upkeep.

Shift24 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 12:13

Also side note BFS about BMW being ahead of anyone, let alone Honda and Acura. As a friend of a mechanic who has in the past year worked for Acura and then left to go to BMW, consumer reports has ether been bought or just plain stupid. He left Acura for less money per hour but more work. He said stuff just doen’t break, they almost never breakdown. The only way to make money at Acura is routine maintenance and even then people dont bring their cars in enough because they know its a Honda. Now BMW they over engineer and then make it out of plastic or cut corners to cut cost. I mean on a BMW stuff goes bad at 100k, Honda you have to hit 300k before you even think about worrying.

Shift24 > Aaron M - MasoFiST
10/25/2016 at 12:26

Which should be taking into account but as a different category. Maybe Mechanical vs Electrical reliability. And which I agree it is a problem but nothing mechanically being mentioned tells you how spoiled people are with their cars now. To put it simply, its annoying to not have a radio or A/C (if its apart of the system) but its a pain in the ass not to get to work on time because your car wont start.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper
10/25/2016 at 12:55

I’m willing to give up some reliability to own a car that’s a joy to drive, for sure, but I sure don’t want to daily drive a ticking time bomb that’s going to be on a flatbed every other month!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shift24
10/25/2016 at 12:58

I’d have to concur with you. I love driving my M3, but have had my fair share of issues with it (before 100k). Hopefully my wife’s MDX will roll 300k before anything goes wrong!

nermal > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 13:28

The best way to measure a vehicle’s long-term reliability is to get a quote for an extended warranty on it. The warranty companys aren’t dumb, they know how often shit breaks and how much it costs to fix, and price things accordingly.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > nermal
10/25/2016 at 13:41

Great tip!

Jay, the practical enthusiast > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/25/2016 at 14:10

This was our 3rd civic. The first two were great. The last one had problems specific to the 1.8 engine that were covered under a previous recall that didn’t apply to my model year.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jay, the practical enthusiast
10/25/2016 at 14:26

I really think they lost the plot when they tried to chase Toyota in sales volume. Hope they can get back to what made them great in the 80s & 90s.

Shift24 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/26/2016 at 00:02

The MDX is a beast, my dad had a 07 which he used as a DD and then on the weekend he used it to tow a trailer for his landscaping business. All he had to do to was put tires and regular oil change.

And yep I have an E39 with almost 150k on it and I have had to go through way more stuff on it than my 340K+ Accord.