Most Reliable Cars

The big news yesterday was Consumer Reports tease and release of some very minor info in regards to which cars were voted (according to their ranking system) as the most/least reliable.

The article on MSN Autos wasn't as informative as I expected, but I was surprised when the CNBC one wasn't any better. They're just teasing us after all, CR wants us to buy the mag or subscribe online to get the real dish. I'm a subscriber, so I'll be drumming my fingers on the kitchen table till I finally get my sweaty hands on the issue that covers this info in more detail. Usually, the cars issue is the April one...but they do previews throughout the year.

Some of the info we're able to draw from the bits n pieces out there is that Ford is doing really well, with two vehicles (Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan) in line right behind Prius as the top in reliability. Subaru kicked it with the exception of the WRX which sucked apparently. I was genuinely shocked to hear this, but can't say I didn't see it coming after Edmund's long term WRX experience.

Personally, I've owned my Milan for 2 years and it's given me enough trouble that I'm looking for greener pastures. First the key became deprogrammed, stranding me in the thick of winter. Then something happened to the drive shaft (under 20K miles mind you), which took 2 months to get replaced due to dealership part procurement issues. More recently, I hit someone's blow out on the interstate at high speed, and, three weeks after my first visit, I'm still waiting for the second portion of the lower front grille to be replaced.

Fords parts leaves me lots to desire, even though their parts supply chain is getting kudos elsewhere. Maybe it's just my dealership giving me grief? Either way, can't wait to move on out to an SUV (hopefully imported). It's hard to work just in time parts fulfillment in these economic times. Especially if their part suppliers are suffering too and can't put out parts as fast as the customer would like to... that's my supply chain silver lining explanation, in reality, I'm fuming.

UPDATE Nov 2, 2009: I just came across this from Lifehacker: How to Use Reliability Index to Purchase Your Next Car. Which links to the original on Consumer Reports' website. ^_^;