RE: Consumer reports

[Frederic Gittler <fjg@ch.hp.com>]

At 11:19 10/22/95 +0000, Richard Klein wrote:
// On 21 Oct 95 at 2:08, Psychos 'R Us wrote:
// 
// > > no, their reliability data comes from their loyal subscribers.
// > > does "inbreeding of data" mean anything to you?
// > 
// > How "loyal" does the subscriber has to get to have CR take the data from 
// > him/her? Personally, I know no one (who regularly subs CR) who has ever 
// > been "contacted" by CR.
// > 
// They print requests for information in the magazine itself, and 
// occasionally mail subscribers detailed questionnaires.  CR was never 
// interested in my opinion when I subscribed, but only because I've 
// never owned a car newer than an '85 (too old for them to care).

I have subscribed to CR for years now, and my opinion about the cars I own
got asked in the questionaires I have received for the last 3 years. I was
also asked about other kinds of things, like washing machines and the like. 

All in all, I find CR to be a good source of informations, esp. for "simple"
things. For more complex items, like cars, there is a tendency to reduce
data too much to "standard meassurements."  For cars especially, relying on
one opinion alone is hardly enough. For example, the A8 3.7 (the "small V8")
has been applauded by some, and heavily criticized by others; the catch is
in what gets acclaimed or criticized. Just like every driver, critics have
their own personal bias!
---
Frederic Gittler

'94 Audi S4 Quattro
'91 Toyota Previa LE All Trac
'86 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro