Re: Audi #3 in JD Powers Survey!

["Jon" <jwilliam@ns1.water.net>]

> From:          "Meron" <phwomp@cosmoslink.net>
> To:            <jwilliam@water.net>
> Cc:            "Quattro List" <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
> Subject:       Re: Audi #3 in JD Powers Survey!
> Date:          Sun, 30 Mar 1997 09:27:31 -0800

> >I was always confused by their methods of obtaining information for 
> >their reliability surveys.  I assume they only poll their subscribers 
> >because I have never once received anything from them even after 
> >having purchased a new car.  JD Powers DID contact me and I let them 
> >know the truth: 
> 
> Jon,
> CR polls their subscribers for the repair information, BTDT, their survey
> is EXTREMELY detailed and JD Powers doesn't even come close in data base,
> you (and the list) are making a big mistake by continuously bashing CR, all
> CR is doing is telling you  information that is out there, they are the
> ONLY source without commercial interest......
> Nobody is telling you what to buy or what to drive.... but that does not
> mean that CR information is wrong. Most people DO NOT buy cars like we
> do...... they buy cars for reliable  transportation comfort and low
> maintenance costs...... you can not deny that Honda or Toyota have better
> records than Audi.......
> Use CR as another data available to you, no more, no less, don't bash their
> methods or their conclusions, make you own......Putting down other's
> (opinions) doesn't necessarily raise your own.....
> Avi Meron 
> 

If you can quote where I have "bashed" their methods, or where I have 
put "down other's opinions" I would love to see it.  What I did state 
was absolutely true:

1. I have never received anything from them in which I could provide 
feedback on any of the cars I've purchased.  Despite all of them 
being either new or a few years old.  

2.  Almost every model car I have owned CR has either been 
indifferent toward or has stated that it was a car to avoid.

3.  All of these cars have given me great reliability and years of 
fun driving.

When buying a used car I do check CR, along with Car & Driver, Road & 
Track and others, not just for reliability but for driving 
impressions and how it rates against others in the industry.  The 
most important thing, though, is the car itself.  A good used car 
that has obviously been cared for by its owner rates mountains over 
any information gleaned from any magazine.  Todays  cars are lasting 
longer and longer, the problem today is not worrying about whether 
your transmission will fall out at 25k's, but rather, "Can I afford 
this sucker?  How much a month and will I enjoy driving it?"

Please don't put words in my mouth or add meanings that aren't there. 
 If I ever "bash" anything or put down someone else's opinion, you'll 
know.

Jon


___
jwilliam@water.net
87 Coupe GT