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CR, JDPA (Reply to this comment)
by mkaresh,  in Cars & Motorsports
Very entertaining piece. But I don't see CR and JDPA as quite so helpful, which is why I'm starting my own reliability research at www.truedelta.com.
I've been thinking about writing a comprehensive critique of CR and JDPA for the site. But until then, this will do. My major issue is that all dot systems can be very misleading.
In CR's system "average" means within twenty percent of average. So with 100 being average, anywhere from 80 to 120. Similarly, "better than average" is 121 to 140. With the average car getting better and better, and the gap between best and worst shrinking, most cars these days earn one of these two ratings.
Many people will insist on "better than average," because it's clearly better. But by how much? Well, it might just be one point better, 120 vs. 121. Or it might be 60 points better, 80 vs. 140. In other words, the difference could be anywhere from virtually zero to 75%.
In the absense of information people will often assume the worst, i.e. 60. In my opinion, any source that distorts purchases by provided such vague ratings isn't providing a good service.
A final note on JDPA: they provide vague dots to consumers so they can sell more detailed numeric data to manufacturers for the big bucks. Aiding the consumer isn't among their top priorities.
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Aug 27 '05
6:14 am PDT
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Hmmm... (Reply to this comment)
by tch7
I don't know how I'll ever choose between a potential family and a hot car. The advantage to going with the car is that it doesn't complain when you try to sell it.
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Nov 03 '04
3:36 pm PST
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What are we going to end up? Who knows.... (Reply to this comment)
by pilarzmom
those thoughts echo in my mind. Last year when our backup care (old Camry, vehicle #3) started having problems, we sold it and started thinking about better car for my husband, who drove a 11 year old Nissan 240SX. Plan was for a SUV. (I have the mini-van)
Well, a year later and he's now in a new Nissan 350 Z. Oh well, I won't have to hear him when he's 80 complain that he never got his sports car, but pray to God that I don't need a back-up car!
Great tips,
Peggy
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Nov 03 '04
12:12 pm PST
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Very well said (Reply to this comment)
by Suzer
I made the mistake one year of purchasing a car based on the "cuteness" factor, and boy did I live to regret it.
Suz
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Nov 03 '04
8:23 am PST
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