Satisfaction Studies - Is There a Point?

JD Power got its start performing reliability research, which is also what TrueDelta has been focusing on.

But some critics mused, “Enough about things gone wrong. What about things gone right? Perhaps some cars are so pleasurable to own and drive that a few extra problems are of little consequence.” And so research firms started conducting a second type of study, on owners’ satisfaction with the design and operation of their vehicles. Strategic Vision might have been first with its Total Quality Index, but if so J.D. Power soon countered with its similarly focused APEAL study. The results of both annual satisfaction studies were released this month.

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kpaxx - 6/28/2007 3:42:40 PM

+2 Boost

As long as these studies are surveying the owners the data will never be valid. Most car owners do not have a clue what is specifically wrong with their car. Though I am sure most readers of Autospies do.

Agent009 - 6/28/2007 3:45:48 PM

+3 Boost

JD Power could be useful if the didn't throw in countless other details to "get a figure". It really clouds the perspective.

After all to them it is about selling results rather than something truly tangible.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 6/28/2007 4:05:35 PM

+1 Boost

At some point early on these Surveys meant something and could be trusted.

Now it is a complete disservice and is of absolutely no use to consumers. Unfortunately the Herd mentality found in the masses continue to encourage people to base their decisions on reports that are compiled in such a convoluted and complicated manner that it ends up being easier to just stop a few people driving the vehicle you wish to enquire about and ask them how their ownership experience is.

Thats what i do and i find that it is completely different to most reports.

bevisroy - 6/28/2007 7:39:05 PM

-5 Boost

Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1 (Benz show 5.4 in their specs)
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the (REPREHENSIBLE) Toyota/Lexus people.....

Homer008 - 6/28/2007 8:50:42 PM

-2 Boost

I agree with you 100%. No refunds or apologies from Lexus..Damn them to hell!!!!

sewingmachine - 6/28/2007 10:32:18 PM

0 Boost

i thought this post was about topless ladies.

EnnNorak - 6/29/2007 12:24:31 AM

0 Boost

Even worse than owners not having a clue is that questions are often designed to to shape the outcome of the survey so as to enhance product perception in favor of the manufacturer.

moto - 6/29/2007 2:50:31 AM

+2 Boost

if owner satisfaction studies are pointless, are anonymous auto enthusiast blogs also pointless? I'm afraid, boys and girls, that the answer is probably "yes". No automotive company is going to waste their time reading our biased drivel.