Is anyone else confused by the lack of car research online?

[ainster31]

My father's thinking of buying a new car and I'm trying to do research online to help him make the right choice. The issue is that I can't find any research whatsoever. All I get are subjective reviews (which seem to be just marketing ads) and anecdotes.

I can't find objective information on which car brand or model is the best. Isn't this scary because it means that car manufacturers don't have any incentive to improve their cars? Instead, they only have incentive to work on advertising.

He's thinking of buying a Mercedes B200. I'm trying to do research on Mercedes compared to Mazda, Honda, etc but I can't seem to find any remotely scientific information.

 

[russ_watters]

I'm really not clear on what you are asking for/what your complaint is. The specs of the car are all quantitative in nature and easily accessed. But the intangibles are by definition qualitative and are strictly a matter of opinion. Worse, different people have different needs/wants/likes. So there can't be a single, objective, correct answer.

However, none of this at all implies that car manufacturers have no incentive to improve or implies that there is no information or even just no good information to be gained from research.

Your post makes absolutely no sense.

 

[ainster31]

I'm really not clear on what you are asking for/what your complaint is. The specs of the car are all quantitative in nature and easily accessed. But the intangibles are by definition qualitative and are strictly a matter of opinion. Worse, different people have different needs/wants/likes. So there can't be a single, objective, correct answer.

Specifically, I am interested in reliability. Is reliability considered a spec of a car? If so, is there any place where I can find published reports on how often certain car models need repairs? Reliability is definitely objective.

 

[russ_watters]

Specifically, I am interested in reliability. Is reliability considered a spec of a car?

No, it is not a spec, at least not a published one.

If so, is there any place where I can find published reports on how often certain car models need repairs? Reliability is definitely objective.

Yes, there are a number of major/reputable companies that rate cars based on reliability. How hard have you googled? I googled "car reliability rankings" (google filled it in before I was half finished typing it, so common is the search) and all of the hits on the first page looked useful/relevant.

 

[edward]

You can start here:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmu...at-will-go-wrong-with-your-car-down-the-road/

The best source that I know of is the Consumer Reports Buying Guide. It also covers used cars and repair frequency. Free for members, but it can also be purchased. There may even be one at a public library.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOHVFQ6/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Edited

 

[SteamKing]

The reliability of a particular car model can't necessarily and completely be gleaned by casual inspection. It's something that can only be determined over time. Now, some brands have an overall reputation for quality, but, like all human endeavors, there may creep into a car maker's model lineup some features which do not stand up to daily usage.

If you are interested in a particular car model, see if there is a long-term test being conducted by one of the car magazines. That can give you some ideas about cost to own and if any major repairs were required to keep the vehicle operating.

I have purchased two cars brand new in my life, and I spent 9-12 months researching the particular model I was interested in each time. Read the car magazines, look at car review videos, go to auto shows if you can, even rent a similar model for a few days.

 

[jtbell]

The best source that I know of is the Consumer Reports Buying Guide. It also covers used cars and repair frequency. Free for members, but it can also be purchased. There may even be one at a public library.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOHVFQ6/?tag=pfamazon01-20

They also have their data and reviews online at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/ but you have to subscribe in order to get the full benefit of that data. It costs money to buy vehicles for testing and maintain testing facilities (including their own test track). The money has to come from somewhere.

 

[ainster31]

Thanks for the sources everyone.

 

[lendav_rott]

I decide on car brand based on the availability of service centers. In here, Toyota and Hyundai are the 2 main brands. Secondly, I need to decide whether it's diesel or petrol - essentially what I need it for. (Opting for diesel automatically means more power, hence more taxes). Too much to write out.

 

[lisab]

I decide on car brand based on the availability of service centers. In here, Toyota and Hyundai are the 2 main brands. Secondly, I need to decide whether it's diesel or petrol - essentially what I need it for. (Opting for diesel automatically means more power, hence more taxes). Too much to write out.

That's smart. The car I drive is not common where I live, and finding people to work on it is a real pain in the neck. Plus, it's a German-made car, so all repairs and maintenance are much more expensive compared to more common models.

Btw, I use cars.com for research.

 

[ZapperZ]

Thanks for the sources everyone.

So are you not aware at all, until now, about Consumer Reports?

Zz.

 

[ainster31]

So are you not aware at all, until now, about Consumer Reports?

Zz.

No, I was googling stuff like "mercedes b200 vs honda civic" or "mercedes b200 review" and I was getting too much junk.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Be aware that while you can get a decent repair track record for a 2009 model, that may or may not tell you much about the 2014.

 

[collinsmark]

My father's thinking of buying a new car

Specifically, I am interested in reliability.

There are no reliability studies for new car models. Reliability studies only apply to older cars.

 

[ainster31]

There are no reliability studies for new car models. Reliability studies only apply to older cars.

Opps, by new, I meant new to us. He's looking for a car in the 2009-2011 range.

 

[lendav_rott]

The rule of thumb is "that which moves, degrades" - no matter what super car it is, it will need maintenance regularly. By choosing a brand whose brand-workshop is closeby and not spoken ill of, is the easiest way to make sure the car runs smooth.

In that regard it doesn't matter if it's released 2-3-4-5 years ago, unless the car's odometer shows some unrealistic numbers and its technical history shows no signs of changed engines or maintenance on suspension and once you turn the ignition it breathes fire out of the exhaust, that wouldn't be a good sign.

I.e I drive an 04 Celica, maintenance performed roughly every year and a half , some minor things more often such as electronics and filters, tire pressures and stuff like that. Over the nearly 10 years it has had lots of parts swaps (not going to name them individually since the list would be long) - trick is, the workshop is close by, a reputable joint, loads of content customers, quality service. It would have been a bloody headache to deal with it on my own. It's also the reason I went for the 04 toyota instead of another 08 bmw whose price was Too good for the car.