bernie

these guys recommend the 350z, yet they dont like the cintzy interior, seats or ride. They rate the 8 with a good ride and comfy. they are bozo's


Now whats the problem with the cats on these things?

V_for_velocity

Consumer Reports should stick to rating blenders and pimple cream. They have no passion for cars. The same could be said for audio/visual gear. They are clueless.

BlueEyes

So, they didn't recommend the 8? Or they recommended both cars and you just don't agree?

truemagellen

consumer reports never reviews the whole car in their decision making...even though they say they do

they went off early reports of flooding and gas mileage yet the scion gets equally low gas mileage and they give it a pass

I took my consumer reports mag and threw it away...besides we shouldn't be compared to the 350z anyhow

babylou

You don't get Consumer Reports. They are written for the average consumer. Like you are with blenders. If you are passionate about something there are a billion other periodicals that specialize in everything from cars to baking.

V_for_velocity

Your point being . . .?

BlueEyes

His point being you don't understand the point of Consumer reports. Clearly you still don't.

PaulyG CT

CR clearly puts reliablity very high in their weighting of car attibutes. I do not think it is wrong as most people want a reliable auto. RX-8 owners, especially on this website, are enthusiasts and are likely willing to put up with more problems to get what they want (handling, uniqueness, etc.) Your (and my) weighting system is clearly different than CR's. Not better, just different. I am sure if you go find the website for old Jags, Lotuses, etc. you will find plenty of people willing to put up with problems to own the car they own. I wouldn't put up with the torture of maintaining these cars, but they do....

Ike

Someone call a waaambulance.

V_for_velocity

Sure I do. Next time I need a vacuum cleaner I'll check it out. There aren't many vacuum cleaner magazines at my local newsstand.

BlueEyes

it's quite apparent you don't understand it. You are a car enthusiast, and it seems, a bit of an audiophile. It is natural that you would find their comments of these topics less than adequate because you know a lot about them. You can jump into car review or amp review and understand what their talking about. However, someone who doesn't know jack **** about a car or stereo is well served by looking there first. That's what it is for.

I use it when I am looking for appliances, and when I was getting my parents a digital camera and many other times when I want to start researching a product I know little about.

spork

Man, it annoyed me too at first but I got over it as soon as I understood their recommendation reasoning.

The thing is CR WILL NOT recommend any car that has below average reliability. The 8 qualifies as this. Other than that, it's very obvious CR loves the RX-8. They praise everything except for it's mileage and reliability. They mention the 8 in the review of the Mustang (saying that the 8 is in the top of the class along with the WRX STi), the Audi TT (saying ride isn't as enjoyable as the RX-8 or Porsche Boxter), and the Nissan 350Z (the 8 is more agile).

C'mon that's a crap load of love thrown our way. And they mention a few times in there that they cannot recommend anything with below average reliability (they withdrew their recommendations for some cars that they DID recommend when the reliability numbers fell below average).

MI_FamilyMan

In the latest issue of Ward's AutoWorld, one of the guys that writes a monthly opinion column had his entire article devoted to the Consumers Reports debate.

He was supportive of Consumers Reports and claims that they vigorously test their cars and that they have "car guys" on staff (from Motor Trend, etc.). Again, his opinion.

I think the Consumers Reports is a nice reference for a getting a broad look at the automotive market, but like any other mag, you always take it with a grain of salt. You can't get too worked up over the results. You need to seek out those results on your own, or by getting additional data from multiple sources (bulletin boards, friends, acquaintances, other magazines, test drives, etc.).