Consumer Reports

[fringe@netcom.com (Fringe Ryder)]

Sounds more reasonable than it is.  Much of the mechanical quality is in
the final preparation and testing - the Q.A., to use software development
vernacular.

I run a large web page on laptop computers at:
  http://www.fringeweb.com/laptops.html
If you peruse it, you'll note that there are many different brands, but
only a few actual manufacturers of laptops.  Further, within a maker
there are large variations in quality at the retail point.  At one point,
I decided to find out why.

Quite simply, some sellers simply slap a label onto boxes from Taiwan
and ship them out.  Others test the units, put better connectors in,
or order them without some parts (such as drives and sound cards) and
put better stuff in, and tighten all the connections.  Some vendors
turn on and burn in every computer.  Others don't.

I see no reason to believe that auto makers are any different.

Additionally, don't forget that GM sisters often have different
suspension components, different transmission shift points, etc.
Buicks and Oldsmobiles, though nearly identical on the outside, differed
as to the performance vs. comfort focus for years through these minor
changes.  If one company pays more attention to the details than the
other, this could affect reliability also.

Regards
        Fringe
        '97 A4Q 2.8L, black/black leather

>From: "J. Sala" <jsala@skynet.uah.ualberta.ca>
>- - Pick one of the many vehicles GM flogs in more than one division which 
>  is built on one platform (the Blazer/Jimmy comes to mind for example).
>  These vehicles are produced in a single factory, then shipped to 
>  Chevrolet or GMC for final preparation; the interior trim, badges, grill 
>  assemblies, and those other minor distinguishing details. Mechanically, 
>  these vehicles are identical.
>
>- - Look the products up in CR, compare the mechanical results: lo &
behold, 
>  wide variations in the reported reliabily/durability of the _mechanicals_
>  of each model.
>
>Conclusion: Although having the largest sample set available on the
>market, CR still has big problems with their results. Since the mid 80's,
>I have not checked for this phenomenon. If it is no longer visible, they
>are probably aware of the problem and the discrepancy may be fudged out. 
>Perhaps they have improved their methods or, perhaps they have become 
>omniscient. I have to add however, that I think they do make valid