Comments on: Consumer Reports: Honda has best cars in the US http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/ Paul Tan on the Automotive Industry Sat, 26 May 2012 17:45:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: topgunthang http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155866 topgunthang Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:41:39 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155866 my gf had engine failure in the civic near brand new. the part holding the belt pulley to the engine cracked and gave way. they suspect that somewhere along the process, someone used a bolt for the connector that doesnt fit into the engine that tighly. causing vibrations and eventually causing it to crack and this further cracked the connector. honda tech says its one in a million from the thai factory. whole engine is sent to japan for further investigations. meanwhile i have an 8 year old corolla levin. the thing is still tight after all the years even with the hard suspension. no failures what so ever. havent even changed any lights or the battery. dont know where corolla sources thier light bulbs from but i can say its quality shit. after seeing all these holdens, VW's and mitsu's having failed rear lamps even when its near new. also driven a new 2008 corolla sedan for a holiday trip. 2000kms on the odometer. naturally im comparing it to the civic seeing both are brand new. i must say the corolla is impressive. really didnt expect it from toyota. the refined feel of its engine is quite astonishing. the corolla will become a winner for toyota. my gf had engine failure in the civic near brand new. the part holding the belt pulley to the engine cracked and gave way. they suspect that somewhere along the process, someone used a bolt for the connector that doesnt fit into the engine that tighly. causing vibrations and eventually causing it to crack and this further cracked the connector.
honda tech says its one in a million from the thai factory. whole engine is sent to japan for further investigations.

meanwhile i have an 8 year old corolla levin. the thing is still tight after all the years even with the hard suspension. no failures what so ever. havent even changed any lights or the battery. dont know where corolla sources thier light bulbs from but i can say its quality shit. after seeing all these holdens, VW’s and mitsu’s having failed rear lamps even when its near new.

also driven a new 2008 corolla sedan for a holiday trip. 2000kms on the odometer. naturally im comparing it to the civic seeing both are brand new. i must say the corolla is impressive. really didnt expect it from toyota. the refined feel of its engine is quite astonishing. the corolla will become a winner for toyota.

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]]> By: nmh http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155859 nmh Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:05:11 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155859 Just came back from bandung, indonesia start to sell this new accord already. Its very huge Just came back from bandung, indonesia start to sell this new accord already. Its very huge

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]]> By: chap_de_x http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155827 chap_de_x Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:08:09 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155827 i always think that honda is much better then T.....Toyota product line up is worst day by day at malaysia....reliability wise mayb good but i think honda is much better...T is just too boring i always think that honda is much better then T…..Toyota product line up is worst day by day at malaysia….reliability wise mayb good but i think honda is much better…T is just too boring

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]]> By: IsaacVky http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155811 IsaacVky Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:11:51 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155811 My father used to own a Toyota Sprinter 1.5 Automatic (Corolla in Malaysia.) That car was still going strong after 300,000km until his black worker crashed it. I remember I changed ATF fluid for the car, and it's totally BLACK and sticky. My father don't even remember the very last time he changed. Fine, 5 litres of Shell ATF was poured in. Smooth. Remarkable for a 2xx,xxx km automatic car. Land Cruiser Prado 2.8 Diesel, takda asap hitam langsung even though it's already 10 years old. However, Toyota cars by UMW is just piece of shit. UMW run by people that simply just want to make money, introducing old engine old chassis old technology(they're so proud with their SUPER ECT & VVT-i) with a new face outside. Corolla due to launch 14th March, OLD engine from the previous generation. Camry same case, so do Vios. New Honda City expect to see i-VTEC 120ps. My father used to own a Toyota Sprinter 1.5 Automatic (Corolla in Malaysia.) That car was still going strong after 300,000km until his black worker crashed it. I remember I changed ATF fluid for the car, and it’s totally BLACK and sticky. My father don’t even remember the very last time he changed. Fine, 5 litres of Shell ATF was poured in. Smooth. Remarkable for a 2xx,xxx km automatic car.
Land Cruiser Prado 2.8 Diesel, takda asap hitam langsung even though it’s already 10 years old.

However, Toyota cars by UMW is just piece of shit. UMW run by people that simply just want to make money, introducing old engine old chassis old technology(they’re so proud with their SUPER ECT & VVT-i) with a new face outside.
Corolla due to launch 14th March, OLD engine from the previous generation.
Camry same case, so do Vios.

New Honda City expect to see i-VTEC 120ps.

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]]> By: White Jack http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155806 White Jack Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:12:08 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155806 Any bad experience with Toyota cars ? Any bad experience with Toyota cars ?

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]]> By: spock http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155770 spock Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:29:50 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155770 My Accord iVTEC 2005 (CKD) has the following badge of shame: - loose "ignition cable" causing 1 cylinder to fail to combust ( My Accord iVTEC 2005 (CKD) has the following badge of shame:
- loose “ignition cable” causing 1 cylinder to fail to combust (

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]]> By: BanyakMasukWorkshop http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155755 BanyakMasukWorkshop Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:54:50 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155755 I used to own an EK, and today, 3 other members of my family still drive honda's.. the strange thing is, unlike what the people here who have only negative things to say about them, we've never encountered any problems whatsoever with our hondas. mine was a JDM, and we had another JDM, but the others were local CKD cars, but quality was top-notch. in terms of plastic quality, honda beats toyota handsdown anyday. to faizfadil, it doesnt matter to me where or who you work for, but to condemn the company you represent (as an employee) and who pays your salary reflects poorly on your character and who you are. I used to own an EK, and today, 3 other members of my family still drive honda’s.. the strange thing is, unlike what the people here who have only negative things to say about them, we’ve never encountered any problems whatsoever with our hondas. mine was a JDM, and we had another JDM, but the others were local CKD cars, but quality was top-notch. in terms of plastic quality, honda beats toyota handsdown anyday.

to faizfadil, it doesnt matter to me where or who you work for, but to condemn the company you represent (as an employee) and who pays your salary reflects poorly on your character and who you are.

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]]> By: tokmoh http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155728 tokmoh Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:27:12 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155728 mystvearn said, March 10, 2008 @ 11:26 pm Toyota churn too many cars, reliability drops… >>>Toyota lacks passion, that's why they're droppin. How long has it been since they launched a legendary car like the AE86? They're not founded by a perverted man with the passion for cars, but by a committee to make Japan rich.And when that objective is reached, they become like BN, so one day in the future, they'll be hit by a tsunami. The first wave have just started starting with this Consumers Reports. mystvearn said,

March 10, 2008 @ 11:26 pm

Toyota churn too many cars, reliability drops…

>>>Toyota lacks passion, that’s why they’re droppin. How long has it been since they launched a legendary car like the AE86? They’re not founded by a perverted man with the passion for cars, but by a committee to make Japan rich.And when that objective is reached, they become like BN, so one day in the future, they’ll be hit by a tsunami. The first wave have just started starting with this Consumers Reports.

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]]> By: AvE http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155725 AvE Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:22:20 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155725 BMW=Bring More Worries.. Toyota=Totally Odd Yet Over The Average.. Honda=Hot On Nanny Driving Alone.. ahhahaha nothing to type...bored tonight BMW=Bring More Worries.. Toyota=Totally Odd Yet Over The Average.. Honda=Hot On Nanny Driving Alone.. ahhahaha nothing to type…bored tonight

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]]> By: tokmoh http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155724 tokmoh Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:17:09 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155724 @BanyakMasukWorkshop Hontouni moshiaki arimasu, huhuhu. I second your opinion :D . Quoting Jeremy Clarkson (again) abt his article on Gallardo Superleggera, he started by writing all sorts of reasons why supercars are rubbish: extremely uncomfortable (stiff suspension), totally impractical (small boot space and mostly 2-seater oni), terrible mileage, reliability and even more pathetic second-hand value, et cetera. And yet, they tingle the little boy in all of us. They are cars we'd put on walls (think Ferrari F40, any Aston Martin or McLaren F1), they are the avatar of silliness in all of us that craves for individuality, uniqueness and freedom from the ordinary norm. Ultimately, they make you smile, and when they make you smile, you wouldn't mind paying GBP6,000 for a cupholder (he actually ordered his Gallardo Spyder with this!!), you wouldn't mind all the earlier nonsense of buying a supercar that he wrote. At all!! But of course realistically, one still need to be super rich to buy a supercar lah.... So on a smaller scale, an Alfa Romeo can emulate the aura that is similar to a supercar's aura. You can feel the passion and soul implanted into it, so much that Alfa earns the honour to be an evidence for one to claim that he/she is a true petrolhead. As Top Gearians always say, "You can never ever consider yourself a true petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa. They're not cars for posers, but they are cars for the connoisseurs." Or even more practical, I do love the Ford Focus, it's the first car that actually made me fell in love with cars :wub: . Somehow, to me, I feel the genius spirit of Henry Ford whenever I see a Ford Focus ;) . Hahaha, it is perhaps true that Honda is the Japanese BMW, as they've produced some really legendary car like the S2000 and the NSX. This all results from their engineers staying true to Soichiro Honda-sama's passion for innovative engineering. Honda will never be Honda if they loose sight of this. Which sadly they seem to slowly are. I have heard far too many bad things about CKD Honda here, so much that there are even ppl who'd sarcastically describe Honda as Proton's partner in QC-crime!! To be fair, I've yet to hear CKD Hondas fail mechanically ie the engine, transmission, you know, those technical parts. The area they seem to fail are non-technical, so I believe Honda's bullet-proof reliability reputation is still protected. @BanyakMasukWorkshop
Hontouni moshiaki arimasu, huhuhu.

I second your opinion :D . Quoting Jeremy Clarkson (again) abt his article on Gallardo Superleggera, he started by writing all sorts of reasons why supercars are rubbish: extremely uncomfortable (stiff suspension), totally impractical (small boot space and mostly 2-seater oni), terrible mileage, reliability and even more pathetic second-hand value, et cetera. And yet, they tingle the little boy in all of us. They are cars we’d put on walls (think Ferrari F40, any Aston Martin or McLaren F1), they are the avatar of silliness in all of us that craves for individuality, uniqueness and freedom from the ordinary norm. Ultimately, they make you smile, and when they make you smile, you wouldn’t mind paying GBP6,000 for a cupholder (he actually ordered his Gallardo Spyder with this!!), you wouldn’t mind all the earlier nonsense of buying a supercar that he wrote. At all!!

But of course realistically, one still need to be super rich to buy a supercar lah….

So on a smaller scale, an Alfa Romeo can emulate the aura that is similar to a supercar’s aura. You can feel the passion and soul implanted into it, so much that Alfa earns the honour to be an evidence for one to claim that he/she is a true petrolhead. As Top Gearians always say, “You can never ever consider yourself a true petrolhead until you’ve owned an Alfa. They’re not cars for posers, but they are cars for the connoisseurs.”

Or even more practical, I do love the Ford Focus, it’s the first car that actually made me fell in love with cars :wub: . Somehow, to me, I feel the genius spirit of Henry Ford whenever I see a Ford Focus ;) .

Hahaha, it is perhaps true that Honda is the Japanese BMW, as they’ve produced some really legendary car like the S2000 and the NSX. This all results from their engineers staying true to Soichiro Honda-sama’s passion for innovative engineering. Honda will never be Honda if they loose sight of this.

Which sadly they seem to slowly are. I have heard far too many bad things about CKD Honda here, so much that there are even ppl who’d sarcastically describe Honda as Proton’s partner in QC-crime!!

To be fair, I’ve yet to hear CKD Hondas fail mechanically ie the engine, transmission, you know, those technical parts. The area they seem to fail are non-technical, so I believe Honda’s bullet-proof reliability reputation is still protected.

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]]> By: mystvearn http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155719 mystvearn Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:26:29 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155719 Toyota churn too many cars, reliability drops... Toyota churn too many cars, reliability drops…

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]]> By: faizfadil http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155711 faizfadil Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:42:09 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155711 Why honda???? Frankly speaking, I myself working at honda, their quality is CRAP!!!!! cheap stick on plastics...... n selling em like hot cakes in the us..... Why honda???? Frankly speaking, I myself working at honda, their quality is CRAP!!!!! cheap stick on plastics…… n selling em like hot cakes in the us…..

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]]> By: MyviKiller http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155701 MyviKiller Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:44:19 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155701 SHOCKING!!! I thought Toyota is the best in terms of reliability! SHOCKING!!! I thought Toyota is the best in terms of reliability!

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]]> By: mitlanevo http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155681 mitlanevo Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:32:48 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155681 great job, but why GM and Ford got lowest scores? come on, they should improve lah, malu lor..... great job, but why GM and Ford got lowest scores? come on, they should improve lah, malu lor…..

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]]> By: BanyakMasukWorkshop http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155677 BanyakMasukWorkshop Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:10:57 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155677 tokmoh, not fair, you stole my line ;) sometimes we like to hide the 'pain' by calling it, "the cost of ownership". but to be fair, any car built for performance tend to require more TLC and are usually more expensive to maintain as well. I prefer to say, "you pay for the enjoyment of ownership". I rather pay to enjoy a car that I literally can't wait to get behind the wheel everyday , even just to drive to the office than a car thats boring, lacking in soul and doesn't break down. honda on the other end, always remind me of a japanese "bmw" of sorts. almost all their cars have sporty intentions, just like bmw. they also put a lot of effort and pride in their motorsports involvement, just like ..... tokmoh, not fair, you stole my line ;) sometimes we like to hide the ‘pain’ by calling it, “the cost of ownership”. but to be fair, any car built for performance tend to require more TLC and are usually more expensive to maintain as well.
I prefer to say, “you pay for the enjoyment of ownership”. I rather pay to enjoy a car that I literally can’t wait to get behind the wheel everyday , even just to drive to the office than a car thats boring, lacking in soul and doesn’t break down.

honda on the other end, always remind me of a japanese “bmw” of sorts. almost all their cars have sporty intentions, just like bmw. they also put a lot of effort and pride in their motorsports involvement, just like …..

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]]> By: tokmoh http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155667 tokmoh Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:12:38 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155667 @charles27 Aiya, BMW nice to drive oni, bt they're very manja...like a mommy's boy, it likes to go back to his mama (workshop). That's why its well known as Banyak Masuk Workshop and Banyak Makan Wang :P The current Camry ah...I read got lots of problems wit its gearbox. Bt that's in US la, in Msia, dunno lor...shud b ok. I remember when Jeremy Clarkson was reviewing the Honda S2000, he said that Honda hv been making 13 million VTEC engines for 15 yrs (or was it 15 million VTEC engines for 13 yrs? either one la), and he said NOT even ONE failed. Another thing, in UK, Honda is old ppl's fav car, n there could be oni one reason for this: reliability. I remember readin Clarkson's article which nailed this point: "the oni criteria that old ppl want in a car is a car that can outlive them, and Honda is the best of them lot. It's a pity that while we may crave that amazing VTEC technology, we can't buy it cuz ppl will think there's some old man/lady in the driver's seat." Pretty much the opposite situation here, eh? Here, Toyota is more for old ppl who dun want any sporty-related car, while Hondas are like Ah Beng's choice :P @charles27
Aiya, BMW nice to drive oni, bt they’re very manja…like a mommy’s boy, it likes to go back to his mama (workshop). That’s why its well known as Banyak Masuk Workshop and Banyak Makan Wang :P

The current Camry ah…I read got lots of problems wit its gearbox. Bt that’s in US la, in Msia, dunno lor…shud b ok.

I remember when Jeremy Clarkson was reviewing the Honda S2000, he said that Honda hv been making 13 million VTEC engines for 15 yrs (or was it 15 million VTEC engines for 13 yrs? either one la), and he said NOT even ONE failed. Another thing, in UK, Honda is old ppl’s fav car, n there could be oni one reason for this: reliability. I remember readin Clarkson’s article which nailed this point: “the oni criteria that old ppl want in a car is a car that can outlive them, and Honda is the best of them lot. It’s a pity that while we may crave that amazing VTEC technology, we can’t buy it cuz ppl will think there’s some old man/lady in the driver’s seat.”

Pretty much the opposite situation here, eh? Here, Toyota is more for old ppl who dun want any sporty-related car, while Hondas are like Ah Beng’s choice :P

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]]> By: tokie http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155651 tokie Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:28:40 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155651 In terms of reliability, it depends on how does the user / car owner take care of it. In terms of reliability, it depends on how does the user / car owner take care of it.

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]]> By: normaluser http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155629 normaluser Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:23:30 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155629 Really? Acquaintances of mine have a 20+ year old prelude and 15+ year old accord (more than 200K km), both of the cars' carburator engines are still good with strong acceleration without any major overhauling. Really? Acquaintances of mine have a 20+ year old prelude and 15+ year old accord (more than 200K km), both of the cars’ carburator engines are still good with strong acceleration without any major overhauling.

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]]> By: abtm http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155619 abtm Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:38:18 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155619 well the difference between honda and toyota in terms of reliability are simillar, but while most hondas will be problematic when they reach 150,000km to 200,000km, the toyotas will keep going strong beyond that well the difference between honda and toyota in terms of reliability are simillar, but while most hondas will be problematic when they reach 150,000km to 200,000km, the toyotas will keep going strong beyond that

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]]> By: charles27 http://paultan.org/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155613 charles27 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:26:49 +0000 http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/10/consumer-reports-honda-has-best-cars-in-the-us/#comment-155613 well.. really supprise that honda finally doing a really good job. thanks to civic, crv and accord mostly. camry is really loosing the position now. And recently i read some cars review online (regarding accord, camry, and sonata). camry appear to the the worst among those 3. Really supprise. Camry is getting soft. But accord is getting stronger. :) sad to see BMW is ranked so low as well. Thought to get 1 soon. dissappointed now. well.. really supprise that honda finally doing a really good job.
thanks to civic, crv and accord mostly.

camry is really loosing the position now. And recently i read some cars review online (regarding accord, camry, and sonata). camry appear to the the worst among those 3. Really supprise. Camry is getting soft. But accord is getting stronger. :)

sad to see BMW is ranked so low as well. Thought to get 1 soon. dissappointed now.

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