WHO Do YOU Trust MORE With Vehicle Reviews? The Media Or OWNERS?

Thanks to the democratization of technology, these days you don't have to rely on the media to post reviews of the latest and greatest all-new vehicles. As we've pointed out over the years, sometimes the media has a tendency to gloss over some critical details, it will post only one or two images or the publisher's opinion on the vehicle is non-conclusive or incomplete.

There's a couple of reasons for the last issue: 1) The publisher doesn't want to ruffle feathers at an automaker so it plays it safe, and 2) It's "in the bag" and wants to ensure it's on the next press junket to Timbuktoo.

But with the power of high-speed computing, DSLR cameras and photo editing software, and cheap access to film and edit video, we've seen media companies become less important. That's because actual owners are conducting reviews of their vehicles and posting them in a public forum. These reviews can be super detailed and provide a tremendous amount of color on an auto. However, with the good comes the bad: First off, some of the buyers have some serious bias as they've made an investment. In addition, a lot of consumer reviews are conducted by individuals that do not drive EVERYTHING on the market.

So, we have to ask: WHO do YOU trust more with vehicle reviews in the current climate — the MEDIA or OWNERS?

LJ745 - 5/6/2015 6:57:56 AM

-2 Boost

Owners are more reliable unless we're talking about demented Tesla owners.

vdiv - 5/6/2015 10:06:54 AM

+3 Boost

What?! No Volt hatred this morning? I'm jealous :p

pepito66 - 5/6/2015 8:28:25 AM

+2 Boost

I would like to say neither but between both I prefer the media and opinion from different sources , because they also respond to specific Interes sometimes , and about the owner they usually try to hide theirs cars issues , men more than women because she doesn't care to much about cars , but men yes they always haves the best cars and the car they choose is the best and never have problem etc etc ". " lol.

Agent009 - 5/6/2015 10:23:02 AM

-2 Boost

Both...
Media for comparisons to other brands and experiences.

Owners with a grain of salt. I recently overheard an owner complaining that oil changes were too frequent for his car and he didn't like that.

"my god, I just changed it about a year ago!"

I clearly remember changing mine every 3,000 miles before synthetics.

Agent00R - 5/6/2015 10:35:45 AM

-3 Boost

For me it has to be a healthy mix of both.

The media has the chance to drive everything so that helps color their opinion, BUT a lot are not providing accurate stories or shooting completely straight as they must ensure they stay on the list for media junkets.

In addition, I love the detailed owner reviews. This is how we find out about a lot of issues that crop up over time. As the media typically doesn't get supplied with long-term cars anymore — very few publications do these days — these things remain hidden. Also some of these folks get SUPER detailed. We love the details!

ParadoX - 5/6/2015 11:42:58 AM

+1 Boost

Media for comparisons, individuals for reliability.

mre30 - 5/6/2015 11:50:13 AM

+1 Boost

Definitely "saabkyle04" on you tube. Although his dad owns a chain of dealers in the south, his folksy approach and earnestness is refreshing.

Also, he is basically living out the fantasy of many motor-heads...I wished my dad owned a chain of car dealerships and I got to drive whatever car I wanted, when I wanted! Not much driving in his reviews but they are fun to watch nonetheless.

LJ745 - 5/7/2015 1:13:56 PM

0 Boost

@vdiv
Volt owners don't walk around acting like their cars are the second coming and they don't turn into rapid lunatics when someone points out that the car COULD be better if a few things were changes. Tesla fans refuse any criticism, even if it will make their product better, and insist that Elon Musk is just the very bestest person evah!

vdiv - 5/7/2015 6:16:42 PM

+1 Boost

Why, thank you. Not according to the folks here who are convinced that as a Volt owner I am certifiably insane (don't tell them, but for once they could be correct ;)

You have to give Tesla owners a little credit. Not all are as you describe. There is a lot of criticism of Tesla and Musk coming from them founded on their experiences. If they (and all plugin owners) are a little jumpy when they receive criticism it is because a lot of it is nonsense, it is repetition of FUD spread everywhere, and it has a singular purpose to discredit the technology and to keep the status quo.