As was already pointed out, "The Evil Robot Lady" is taking an undeserved vacation.

In the face of that, I decided to re-read the latest consumer reports and noticed something interesting. Well, a few things.

First, the Mustang (and most of the Fords) show only stock photos with their review. It's the same shot of the Mustang that has been on the web for nearly a year. I can't imagine this is Ford's doing. At the same time, manufacturers that CR typically praises (Honda, Subaru, Toyota) all have more attractive outdoor shots (mountains, open roads, etc.) of thier vehicles. To me, that seems a bit unbalanced.

It's also interesting that they seem to have tested just about the most expensive configuration possible - over 29K. I can't help but feel that's to justify their continuous fit and fit comments by making the Mustang seem closer in price the to comparable imports they're always praising. Even the Focus, which is way cheaper and gets recommended by CR, gets blasted for having a "cheap" interior. Isn't a cheap (13K) car supposed to have a cheap interior?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm seeing things that make me feel CR isn't as even-keeled as they would have us believe.

Or maybe I'm just cross because I couldn't hear that sweet voice tell me C/U one more time this week...

 

I agree with you and have said the same thing before.
C/R doesnt ever seem to test base models, they always review top of the line items.
As for the cheap interior, they said the same thing about the 02-04 nissan altima. I dont understand how cars interior is not supposed to look like plastic when it is plastic, unless it has a "woodgrain" finish, but then would they complain that the woodgrain looks fake?

 

I know what you mean. I rode in a friend's Toyota Matrix today. To me the interior looked much cheaper than the Mustang because it had plastic trying to look like chrome. Yet it's one of their picks.

Interestingly enough, every Toyota with the exception of the Tundra (I think) was recommended...

 

Did CR drive a premium GT with IUP and find the interior cheap? If so they're pretty hard to please. I really like mine (charcoal), better than my old Acura with the plastic fake wood trim everywhere.

 

Yup...GT. I assume w/ IUP since they say it was priced at 29K+

 

I don't pay any attention to what CR says. To them, if you're not driving a boring Japanese car (Honda, Toyota, or Nissan) you're driving junk.

I do have one use for CR magazine though, it involves a bathroom trip, and it's not to read.

 

Exactly. I had a Jeep Wrangler for many years and used to always get a laugh by reading CR reviews of it. Stuff like "it has a rough ride and the top flaps and it doesn't get good gas mileage." Why yes, this was all true--that's what made it a Jeep! They just don't get it with certain types of vehicles.

I haven't read their review of the mustang, but I wouldnt' be surprised if they complained about stuff like "its exhaust is loud and when you push on the gas pedal, it throws your head against the seat."

 

i hate consumer reports. they're always raggin on the stang. i have yet to see the say something positive about it.

see you in heck consumer reports!

 

 

I've never relied on what CR says. They are clearly biased. Plus, if someone goes by their reliability ratings, of course they are going to say they have no problems with their cars....it's a self perpetuating type of survey.

Just to give one example, they rated my previous RX8 as having less than average predicted reliability. Yet, when you look at their rating boxes, each one said it was better or much than average....huh?''

Their bias toward Toyota and Honda products has been going on for years.

 

Quit reading it a long tinme ago. They served a useful purpose at one time when the consumver needed all actual facts regarding a product. Now, guess they get p'off when they have to come down from their pedistal to do a review

 

If these guys had their way a cars would still have the Ralph Nader 85 MPH speedo, run on cow Sh-t and have ten seats so everone could car pool.

 

I had two BMW M3's (E36 and E46 models...the latest ones...) before buying my 05 GT...well, in my opinion, the interior of my GT (w/IUP and Med. Parchment leather) looks better than the interior of those M3.
Now some BMW lover (I still absolutely love M3's, but the new Stang stole my heart)...can flame me, go ahead, but I firmly believe it.

 

I noticed that, too, last night. I was looking a reliability data for Mercedez which they never seem to like. They say people only buy them for status. Well, several models were above average in every individual category but still given a below average expected rating overall.

In the end, I don't really care. I'm happy I ordered a Mustang, and I can't wait for it to arrive, but I had never really noticed how far they had fallen.

 

That and stability control. They went out of their way in the opening article to say it was the latest thing since sliced bread and mentioned the feature in a number of their top picks.

Let's just give everyone the same car and have them all drive the same way...

 

I love how they try to get people to buy the magazine with the pic of the Mustang right on the front too. Why don't they put their favorite car on the front instead of a car they think is only so-so...see how many Camry drivers would pick that up.

 

Isnt that the truth!
The other night history channel had a show on the convertibles and it mentioned how Nader pushed to get the Corvairs demise, which was pretty much the beginning of the end for verts.
I wonder why Nader hasnt pushed for the end of SUVs since they roll over with improrper driving?(like the corvair)

 

As a former subscriber to Consumer Reports, I feel like I've got a unique perspective on the magazine's content and editorial. I'd give them a score of "less reliable than average." You have to take what they say with a grain of salt. The best place to get advice on cars is a variety of trade publications. Although it's nice to have CR's recommendation, I think it's better to have a concensus of positive reviews from a number of sources. No one should base their decision to purchase a car on one publication.

As far as CR editors being unfair to Ford products, that may be true. I'm not sure what their problem is, but as someone who has read their magazine for years, I can tell you that their criticism has softened quite a bit.

I'd be more concerned about their unfair assessments of Ford products other than the Mustang. It's not like the Mustang is counting on CR's approval! The car virtually sells itself. In fact, you probably wouldn't want them to rave about the new Mustang. It's hard enough for Ford to keep up production without a deluge of orders from former Toyota owners!

 

As with Car and Driver, just leaf through and see which Japanese car has the most advertising in that month's issue, that the car of the month.