Pontiac G8 reliability - better info

[mkaresh]

I still like my car....

One problem with a car, which if it's typical is enough to get it a "worse than average" reliability rating these days, is hardly a reason not to like a car.

What few people realize is that with Consumer Reports' survey if even one in four owners reports a problem the car gets the dreaded black dot. And they provide little reliability information in addition to the dots.

I'm trying to get people from thinking that "worse than average" is automatically bad by providing the actual repair frequencies and far more detail than they do.

With the G8 it's, "Okay, the control arms in many of them have had to be replaced." A good reason not to get one? I wouldn't think so.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

I have no complaints about my car or the service from my dealer. I had 2 minor issues fixed in 2 visits after owning this car for over a year.

[majesticix]

I question the significance of these tests. People who are satisfied with their products generally don't participate in these questionnaires and I wonder if the results are skewed by "lemon vehicles and/or experiences." I'm not sure if there is any statistical data that would support or refute my claim, but I know from my experience, I usually only speak up if the shit hits the fan or if I had a glowing experience. For most satisfactory experiences, I bet they go unheard. That's just my take.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

I agree with you, unless they survey everyone, then the results aren't accurate.

[mkaresh]

I question the significance of these tests. People who are satisfied with their products generally don't participate in these questionnaires and I wonder if the results are skewed by "lemon vehicles and/or experiences." I'm not sure if there is any statistical data that would support or refute my claim, but I know from my experience, I usually only speak up if the shit hits the fan or if I had a glowing experience. For most satisfactory experiences, I bet they go unheard. That's just my take.

Our survey process is uniquely designed to prevent the distortion you mention. People are only surveyed beginning with the month they sign up. They cannot report old repairs. They cannot know what they'll be reporting at the time they decide to participate.

As for evidence, we do post stats for the percentage of cars with no reported repairs in the past year. In some cases, it's over 90 percent, and many models are over 70 percent:

TrueDelta Nada-odds and Lemon-odds stats

If people joined just to complain, this would never happen.

[Panzer Leader]

So what would you now rate Toyota?

[majesticix]

Our survey process is uniquely designed to prevent the distortion you mention. People are only surveyed beginning with the month they sign up. They cannot report old repairs. They cannot know what they'll be reporting at the time they decide to participate.

As for evidence, we do post stats for the percentage of cars with no reported repairs in the past year. In some cases, it's over 90 percent, and many models are over 70 percent:

TrueDelta Nada-odds and Lemon-odds stats

If people joined just to complain, this would never happen.

Good to know, I'll take a look at your posted URL.

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the Pontiac G8 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. With a reported repair rate of 84 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the G8 is now worse than average.

The suspension has been a common problem area.

We'll have further updates in May and August. The more owners participate, the better the information we can provide.

Pontiac G8 reliability comparisons

[mkaresh]

Just enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May, with a preview for participants in mid-April.

Car reliability research

[ULTRA Z]

whats the susp noises i see post about ??? i put 30K miles this first year and live down a sand drive way that gets rutted up a lot and you wouldn't think a car would even make it till you see this blue G8 come through it and i have not had the first thing wrong with my susp or anything ???