As far as quality, I could see how Honda and Subaru would rank high on the list, but how a Ford Ranger beat a Tacoma I will never understand. The tester must have been a crack baby.
Ford Ranger?? That truck hasn't had any significant changes in over 10 years. Reviewer wasn't on "crack", he/she was on payroll!! Well in fairness to Ford, maybe they got it somewhat right after 10 years of trying.....ha ha ha ha.
It's a quality survey, I am not surprised that a truck that has been virtually the same over the past 10+ years has less bugs in it then a 2 year old model. It just makes sense, no?
Also every Ford I have ever owned has been very reliable so again I am not surprised.
It's a quality survey, I am not surprised that a truck that has been virtually the same over the past 10+ years has less bugs in it then a 2 year old model. It just makes sense, no?
Also every Ford I have ever owned has been very reliable so again I am not surprised.
If Fords are so reliable, why is their trade-in value so low?
I've owned a Thunderbird and a F-150. Unfortunately, both of them had issues.
__________________ 2006 Silver Streak Prerunner Access Cab Sport V6 w/ tow
Before you get your panties all in a bunch, remember what the survey is measuring. I believe it is mainly customer complaints, warranty work, and things like that, in the first year of vehicle ownership. Check the posts; we have some of those. A 12-year-old Ford platform has an advantage with all that time to iron out the troublespots, compared to every other midsize out there that's been completely redesigned recently. This survey has nothing to do (well, very little to do) with overall design and engineering quality, which is probably what brought most of us to this package.
Also check out the raw numbers; I believe I read this morning the average number of complaints per vehicle was 1.2 or something, while the Porsche model that was best overall had 0.9. Not that much spread.
I do have to give Honda some credit, though, as girlie a design as that Ridgeline is. I don't know if the Honda owners are just super-cautious drivers, or if Honda carved the Ridgeline mostly out of an existing platform and stuck a bed in place of the trunk, or if they know a little more about building initial quality in a new vehicle, but they did well in this contest, which is a good win for them. They get my congratulations. But they will never get my money for one.
Before you get your panties all in a bunch, remember what the survey is measuring. I believe it is mainly customer complaints, warranty work, and things like that, in the first year of vehicle ownership. Check the posts; we have some of those. A 12-year-old Ford platform has an advantage with all that time to iron out the troublespots, compared to every other midsize out there that's been completely redesigned recently. This survey has nothing to do (well, very little to do) with overall design and engineering quality, which is probably what brought most of us to this package.
Also check out the raw numbers; I believe I read this morning the average number of complaints per vehicle was 1.2 or something, while the Porsche model that was best overall had 0.9. Not that much spread.
I do have to give Honda some credit, though, as girlie a design as that Ridgeline is. I don't know if the Honda owners are just super-cautious drivers, or if Honda carved the Ridgeline mostly out of an existing platform and stuck a bed in place of the trunk, or if they know a little more about building initial quality in a new vehicle, but they did well in this contest, which is a good win for them. They get my congratulations. But they will never get my money for one.
If it's the same platform as the Pilot (I think it is), then it traces back to the Odyssey. Can't beat driving a pickup truck based on a minivan chassis
As far as the quality study goes, I read this morning that they've changed the parameters somewhat this year to include both defects and design flaws (the latter being a newer measure). Apparently BMW suffered largely on the design aspect of the survey, which hurt their overall score. Not sure if this had an impact on the Tacoma measures (I don't see how it could).
I laughed hard when I saw Land Rover once again at the bottom of the overall list. They advertise those things as being so distinguished and well-traveled - the perfect truck for a safari in Africa or a trip across the outback. Wouldn't you love to have that heap of metal break down on you in the middle of the Australian outback.....
Also to you gotta remember how many more rangers there are then Tacos, Everyone freaking company buys rangers as fleet vechiles because they are so cheap. My friend has an 03 edge and that thing rides like a piece of ****
In terms of new vehicle quality, the rankings were, in this order, Porsche, Lexus, Hyundai, and then Toyota. That's right--Hyundai has now surpassed Toyota with 102 problems per 100 vehicles compared to 106 from Toyota. Of course, this says nothing about long-term quality, but it definitely shows that Toyota, in its desire to focus on quantity and be the #1 carmaker in America, could be losing its grip on quality.
In a way I don't see 102 vs 106 as being a big deal. Even 100 vs 120 isn't (IMO). They really should take a survey to see how many of these problems were solved with 1 hassle free trip to the dealer. Cars/trucks will always have issues no matter who builds them, how you are treated as a customer by the dealer after the sale is much more important to me.
Always remember the famous quote from either Mark Twain or Winston Churchill: "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."
The JD Power and other "quality" ranking organizations are usually fairly ambiguous on criteria and weighted measurements ... and the top ranked firms want to keep it that way.
But as Toyota owners, we KNOW we have good vehicles. My dad has a Ranger, and he wishes he had a Tacoma now.
__________________ 2006 Tacoma Double Cab 4WD TRD Off Road
Auto Trans | JBL Sound | PopN'Lock | Fog Light Mod | Clear Bra | Silverstar Headlights (9003) | Luminics JDM Yellow Foglights (H10) Tacoma Frappr Map <--Add Yourself
Odiously Im a taco fan b/c I own one. I also have an beater 94 4cyl Ranger. That Ranger is great on gas, dependable and easy to work on when necessary. I also traded in my 05 screw F-150 (paid for) to buy the Tacoma because the F-150 was a big piece of crap.
The Ranger did so well because it has been bacically the same truck since 1984, give or take a year. They have had time to work the bugs out and there are many of them on the road.
There re-sale isnt that good because there are so many of them out on the road. Many people dont realise the 4 cyl Ranger is Mazda - all the way.
I would never own a Ranger over a Tacoma, but they are good little trucks.
The other thing is that they are compact trucks not mid size. They shouldnt even be in the same compairable class.
Just my .02
__________________
Be prepared to get flamed for not using the search button.
Last edited by lightningxb12; 06-08-2006 at 10:59 AM.
I got a ride from a co worker yesterday in his brand new honda ridgeline. Black on 22" that sucker was smooth felt like a car. Even on a dirt road. If honda did something with there look they would be better. But he had his ridgeline really looking good. Also not a single noise. Very quite cab and no squeaks rattles of such. My tacoma rattles up the ass when i go to work. On a bumpy dirt road. He took me down the same dirt bumpy road and it handled better than the tacoma. So i say honda gots a nice full size pickup for smooth ride. But as far as looks and acting like a truck i dont think so.
You have to remember that JDI surveys issues on vehs that were purch'd in the last year. BMW plummeted b/c they've had new vehs out and so has Mercedes. What matters beyond INITIAL reliability is long term reliability. How many problems will Ford or Hyundai owners have 4 or 5 years from now.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
I wanna see how much that ranger is worth in five years vs the tacoma. 
Linear Mode
