Consumer Report's Top Picks for 2008

Hmmmm where are the German cars on this list??

— richard112360 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 2:04:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I guess Taylor never seen a Aston Martin...lol. I would say that the LS is the best looking Top End Sedan next to the MB S.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:33:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Yeah, sure, if the Audi A8 didn't exist.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:42:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

GoObama, I can say that the LS looks like a bigger version of the camry. Heck, even the interiors look similar. So stop it with your worthless posts. Get out of this site if you can't appreciate other brands.

— audirevolution (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 1:00:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Putting your childish comments aside, I honestly did once see an LS from a distance and think it was a Camry, and the same thing happened to me when I was seeing a Camry (thought it was an LS). They have very similar side profiles and rear end styling.

The A8? It's pretty much accepted that that car is beautiful. It's timeless and still stunning, inside and out.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/2/2008 11:18:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

was that even in the article?

— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:21:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I bet you've never even driven a car.

— audirevolution (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 1:01:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

LOL! rattles? rattles?

Stoolchecker ought to troll some of the BringMoreWampum sites and read about the complaints of ENGINES and TRANNYS needing major work, if not replacement.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 3:21:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

this list is fixed.

— DROOPYSAKK (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 2:22:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Congrats to Hyundai for getting not just one, but TWO cars on the list.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 2:41:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Underperforming, the v6 rav 4 with well over 200hp ( I think its around 250 or so) blows the doors off of all other competitors in its segment, so I wouldn't call it underperforming.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 10:02:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

^^^ LOL! whatever became of Rosko the Klown anyway? did he get banned?

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 3:00:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Yeah 0-60 in the low 6 seconds is slow. Sure 269hp and 246lb/ft torque with a 5 spd auto is weak and slow. Yeah the handling isn't the best but it is by no means slow. what else in that class even offers that kind of power?

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 11:01:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

This sounds like last year's choices

— tecnopolis (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:00:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

LS460 is just perfection. Till now it's got so many awards, good media coverage...etc. Love it.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:20:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

how did VW make it to the top of the list for reliability. I would have put them at the bottom.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:24:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

If that was the only cars I could buy I would quit driving and ride a bicycle.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:29:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Overall it's a great list for people who hate cars.


Small Sedan: Hyundai Elantra SE
Midsize SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe
Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS 460L
Family Sedan: Honda Accord
Upscale Sedan: Infiniti G35
Fun To Drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
Green Car: Toyota Prius

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:36:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

My personal List

Luxury Sedan: Mercedes C saloon
Family Sedan: Nissan Altima
Upscale Sedan: Lexus IS350
Fun To Drive: Subaru WRX
Minivan: Honda Odyssey
Small SUV: Saturn VUE
Green Car: Toyota Prius

I guess you cannot argue with the Prius as VW does not have it's new diesels here yet, and it is still the #1 selling hybrid of all the others.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:42:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I know there has been controversy over CRs Top 10. I would like to get more insight on their pool of new car buyers. First you have to be a CR subscriber and if that pool of subscribers are majority of Japanese car drivers then the list is biased. Results also come from less than 2,000 adults!!! Simply rubbish.

For sometime CR would simply recommend Toyotas without any supporting evidence and if that is not bias then what is? Of course this has changed recently, most likely due to Toyotas quick expansion resulting in more cars being built and greater chance of failures.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:45:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Good to see my Chevy Silverado on there "surprising" for CR. Def the best truck out there. Not nearly as fun as my Porsche but has the best ride of any truck I have tested (all fo them). Tundra edges it in looks.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 3:50:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I'll never understand why what's on somebody else's list causes such an uproar.

If you like it and it's not on the list, you can still buy it. And if it is on the list and you think it sucks, you still don't have to buy it if you don't want to.

A lot of you people here seem to give way to much concern over what others think.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 4:27:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The top ten cars, brought to you by the people who review toasters, refrigerator, and garbage disposals.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 4:29:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i see all the german fan boys are debosting as usual please give credit where credit is due. the LS460 is an awesome car and its ahead at the moment and until the next s class or the next 7 series comes out just take your beating like men. Not children!

— macker83 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 8:18:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

POINT IS THIS: MOST SATISFYING CAR BUILT IN THE WORLD IN GENERAL TERM: NO OTHERS COMES NEAR JAPANES PRODUCT EITHER IN TERMS OF ELECTRONICS OR CARS, PERIOD. If you disagree go googling and stop whining you cry babies.

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 10:07:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

willis the LS is ahead of the consumer report in the luxury segment it got 99 out of 100 did you read the article!thats what this whole column is about. you just proved my aboue comment thanks.

— macker83 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 11:00:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The LS460, Miata, and G35 are the only cars that are worth anything on that list imo.

The majority of vehicles on that list are cars, that are designed and engineered for people who don't care about cars. Cars for people who are looking to just get from point-a-to-point-b (read:basic transportation). It amazes me that people are actually standing-up and defending these automotive appliances. Wow!

Anyone who puts any value into CR's car reports, would be the last person I would ask for car advice.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 2/29/2008 11:19:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

consumer reports reviews: toaster ovens, washing machines, health insurance, dvd players, TVs, etc. oh, and cars.

nice data point, but certainly not who i'd look to for advice on what to buy. notice how boring most of the cars are?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 2:02:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

ok, from the CR site itself. this is the background for their tests. the MOST COMPREHENSIVE of any product testing.

"To supplement laboratory testing, the survey research department gathers the experiences that hundreds of thousands of our subscribers have had with products and services through an annual questionnaire. Those results are the basis of our well-known auto Frequency-of-Repair index and other product-reliability reports.

More than 100 testing experts work in seven major technical departments--appliances, auto test, baby & child, electronics, foods, health & family, and recreation & home improvement, while more than 25 research experts work in three departments--product acquisition, product information, and statistics & quality management. In addition, we have more than 150 anonymous shoppers throughout the country. (Pay a virtual visit to our auto-test track.)

State-of-the-art testing equipment is always used and is sometimes complemented by equipment designed by our engineers. The actual tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply.

Consumer Reports has been testing products since 1936. Visit our online gallery to see a selection of vintage testing photographs from our archives."



personally, the ONLY gripe i have about CR's results, is that they are OVERLY safety oriented. the ONLY reasons the hyundai and the silverado got selected over the better handling civic and tundra, was the fact that those vehicles had Vehicle Dynamic Control as standard eqpt.

at least, they DO SPECIFY which cars rate better in handling and the other overall automotive virtues. IF you retards actually bother to read the articles.

their strongest bias just happens to be toward SAFETY.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 7:47:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

who follows CR? I have a passion for cars but a guide from those who review appliances, etc isn't gonna cut it. I buy what I think is best for me. This list doesn't mean anything unless you try out the cars here.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 9:44:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Loser spellchecker001, Toy Sienna = 3.5 V6 fastest in class, can be had w/ HID's, AWD, Laser Cruise...

RAV 4 is ugly, but V6 is faster than all, as fast as an X5 4.8.

— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 11:08:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

spellchecker,
Read the EPAs 2008 review of the E320 Bluetec and GS450h.

E320 23/32/26mpg (not the 29mpg claimed)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2008&make=Mercedes-Benz&model=E320%20Bluetec&hiddenField=Findacar

GS450h 22/25/23mpg
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2008&make=Lexus&model=GS%20450h&hiddenField=Findacar

And the MB E350 only gets 19mpg combined.

Considering the GS is heavier, larger, has a bigger displacement engine and is significantly faster, 3mpg isn't less isn't a huge tradeoff. It was also never intended to be a fuel miser (Performance Hybrid).
The GS450h simply destroys the E430 CDI in every category.

The Yaris is slow and doesn't handle well. Big surprise there. I wonder if they mentioned the Yaris and BMW 128i have the same quality rear seats?

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 12:17:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

There should be a BMW somewhere on that list.

— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/1/2008 7:37:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

yes, it is you. that is the moron.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/2/2008 12:55:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Maybee the new 7 series will get higer on that list?

Pics of it here:

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2900122.aspx

— MPowerDK (View Profile)

Posted on 3/2/2008 3:03:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Is this a site for 12 year olds?

— snatchandgrab (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 11:40:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hey Obama,

I have a question for ya.

Where in US you can buy new 116i and 120d… (was it) from BMW, so you comparing them. BMW USA has 2 models, brand spanking new and they as follow are 128i and 135i. I have not driven them as there is a line. Shouldn’t you be comparing them instead 116i that is nowhere to be found around here, fairness brother.

PS. Problem with the “European crap” that breaks easy, (by words of my friend) lay in American “grease monkeys” and their incompetence. End of quote. VW is much more reliable then an Opel in Germany, should I mention who owns that company. Apropos… we will start having more Opels here in US and pretty cheap as well, I’m curious to see how they would be as reliability.

— Trabi (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 11:53:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1