CR - Anecdote

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

I think the best word on Consumer Reports came from the father of a 
high school friend.  This gent sold Chevies and Oldsmobiles, and his 
comment was:

"The only time I pay attention to them is when they say something 
good about a car I sell."

This comment was made as I was taking delivery of my one-and-only new 
car, a 1977 Chevy Monza Spyder.  According to CR, setting foot in 
this car should have resulted in immediate postnasal drip, a heart 
condition, terminal hemorrhoids, and should shortly thereafter have 
caused my death in a fiery crash as this pustulant example of 
detroit incompetency self-detonated, probably spreading PCB's and 
nuclear waste throughout the town.  (And it said the same thing about 
the 1991 Chevy Citation V-6 4-speed I later bought and drove many 
happy miles, including a trip thru Bondurant's school.)

Hmmm....125K miles later, the Monza resides in my parents' storage 
building with no engine problems, no suspension problems, and a total 
repair record of 3 clutches (don't ask) one rear axle, a master brake 
cylinder, and the odd water pump , shocks and alternator.

Now when it comes to toasters and vacuum cleaners, CR is a great 
help.......but with cars, I find too many emotional issues intrude.   
I also frankly DO NOT TRUST the (self-reported by CU members) 
information which forms the basis for their reliability and service 
ratings.  Flawed data = flawed conclusions.


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Al Powell, Ph.D.                 Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.          Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843      
Http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
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