Ploppity Drown

Consumer Reports Cars Best & Worst for '08 came out this week. The '06 RX-8 earned an Average overall reliability rating. (In previous issues, there was insufficient data for '06.) As such, the RX-8 has regained the CR Recommended check mark, with Average reliability predicted for the '08 model.

This reliability prediction is quantified as ~10% worse than average, based on data from 2005, 2006. There was insufficient data for '07. Note that "Average" reliability covers -20% to +20%.

The 8 is mentioned under "Qualities that Count - Responsive Steering" for "great steering characteristics." And it makes the lists of "Most Fun to Drive" and "Best Dry Braking" at 117 ft.

Also of note is that the RX-8 places third among Sports/Sporty Cars with a Vehicle Rating of 82 points out of 100. The GTI is second with 85 points. And the Mazdaspeed3 is tops at 92.

Here's hoping the '07 data set is completed by April and boosts the reliability prediction even higher for the Annual Auto Issue.

expo1

Who buys a sports car based on consumer reports? Also with sales since 2006 so low CR results on the 8 cannot be considered accurate.

Ploppity Drown

They wouldn't have published their results if they didn't consider them accurate. Because sales have been low there was insufficient data for the '06 RX-8 in April's auto issue. And for the same reason, they won't publish the data they've acquired thus far for '07 RX-8's. They need a certain amount of responses before their analysis can be considered accurate--i.e. the standard deviation is low enough.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

Screw consumer reports listen to Jeremy Clarkson instead. lol

expo1

All they need is 100.
2.2. How many samples do you have of each model?
While we do not publish information on individual sample sizes for specific models, we require a minimum of around 100 cars to publish reliability information for a model in a given model year. Our sample sizes tend to track quite closely with market sales. Individual sample sizes vary from year to year and range from a hundred to several thousand for the more popular models. A typical model has about 200 to 400 samples for each model year and engine variant.

With a claimed circulation of 4,000,000 100 is not a good number to go by. Based on the 8 not being in past issues they must have just barely gone over 100.

Zephyrzone

You BAD AS CAN EXPO!

callee

sad but true.

DemonRX-8

And he knows he's the best!

OK, back on track. Take it with a grain of salt, but at least it's some good publicity.

Zephyrzone

So, Consumer Reports is reporting that the 8 reliability has gone up to "average". I guess that's a win...but a relatively modest one. At least it was on Car ad Drivers 10 best for 3 years. Anyone know why it fell off in 07?

Ploppity Drown

Did you read the rest of that FAQ?

Also, comparing the minimum sample size to the magazines circulation is not very meaningful. If you compare the minimum sample size to the number of 8's on the road you get 0.6%. That's a pretty big sample, and I bet the actual percentage is higher.

And, who values Consumer Reports' research when shopping for a sports car? Someone who wants a well-balanced sports car--one that tests highly relative to its competition in performance, comfort and convenience, fuel economy, safety, reliability, etc.

laythor

If you used CR for the basis of the majority of your purchases.. you'd have some pretty bland *** crap around your house.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

+1 Very, very true. It'd be reliable though...

4me2

This is about Reliability, remember.

Zephyrzone

LOL. Yep.

I think CR ratings are kind of bogus anyway. They're reports from CONSUMERS right? Mots consumers are, ummm, kinda stupid.

New Yorker

Seems a lot of you have your heads stuck in the sand and still think of CR the way it was eons ago, when it was all about boring reliability and practicality—and nothing else. Mad Magazine even did a brilliant parody of it back in the 70s. But that hasn't been true for years. Read CR's review of the RX-8 or the Miata or other sports cars, and I think you'll find their right on target—the days of "we can't recommend this car because it rides hard and there's no room for luggage" are long gone.

I use to consult CR only for practical stuff, too, but now it's one of the sources I check when buying a sports car. In fact, it was CR's rave review of the 8 that first got me thinking about it. Here's excerpts from the current road test:

"The RX-8 is a fun-to-drive sport coupe with a practical twist: two small rear-hinged back doors. It has excellent road manners, delivering both agile handling and a very comfortable ride for a sports car. The transmission glides from gear to gear, and the engine revs with equal smoothness, although fuel economy is unimpressive.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The RX-8 provides good isolation from bumps and impacts, and the highway ride is almost sedanlike. Wind and road noise are tolerable for a sports car. Despite its softer suspension, the RX-8 feels sure-footed, agile, and lithe, even in bumpy corners. The steering is quick and communicative, and it responds quickly to changes of direction. The car was stable and balanced at its limits on both our handling course and through our avoidance maneuver. A smooth-revving 232-hp, 1.3-liter rotary engine provides lively acceleration, but the car is not as quick as some competitors, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, or Nissan 350Z. The six-speed transmission shifts precisely. Expect only 18 mpg overall. Braking performance is excellent.

RELIABILTY
We expect reliability to be average, according to our latest subscriber survey."

New Yorker

Ah, the irony.

Not that facts matter or anything here on the internet but, for the record, the reports are NOT from consumers. I think it's called that because they don't accept advertising, so their income is from consumer subscriptions. The articles and product tests are performed by CR staff—not consumers.

laythor

Their testing is done by CR labs, their reliability reports are done from surveys sent to consumers.

No one is asking you to cancel your subscription to CR New Yorker.

Razz1

What's wrong with average reliabilty in someone elses eyes?

Did you know the average reliabilty of a car is very high?

Ploppity Drown

I don't understand all the negative reaction to this good news I posted. With RX-8 sales dropping by over one third each year since introduction, I would think you guys would be glad to know a reputable source like CR is again recommending the 8.

It sounds then like you would prefer to buy products which do not outperform their competition, are unreliable, and/or are of questionable value. I guess that can be an exciting way to live...

Hey, I have the solution to your RX-8's poor gas mileage:

CarAndDriver

I guess the enough new models balanced out the below average 04s.

laythor

My point was that using CR as a guide for which car you're going to purchase makes great practical sense but very little sense when you're in the market for a sports car.

Zephyrzone

It was good, positive news. Thanks PD. We're just a bunch of cynical a-holes. Except NewYorker, he's a cheerleader (I really do mean that in a good way). I think I was too before the rest of the trolls on this board got to me.

Thanks for the info. I'm happy. I really want the wankel to last in the US.

And for the record: No. I don't think consumers know the average reliability of their products. I think they're typically only aware of catastrophic failures. This is why American car companies thrived for so long and people still buy V-Tech products.

Tayninh

Ive been buying CRs for years. Back in 75 I wanted a VW Rabbit because the concept and car looked pretty good to me and well done considering VWs were ok cars for years. My major bad. I should have waited for till they came out with the CR report on the car. A couple months they did and said if you see one at a dealer keep walking. A major bad car. They were 100% correct too. That was my worst car ever! I was in college then and the stupid car spent more time at the dealership being repaired then it did on the open road. The worst was I was going down a highway at 60 MPH and the car flat out died for no reason. Had it towed to the dealer and I spent the whole day waiting. I watched them try to fix it and they kept putting in this part and that. When I asked about that they said they were replacing one part at a time to get it to start. The cat fell down off its hanger, heater controls broke and one time the accelerator went full to the floor. I pulled over and found a bobby pin on the road to fix the linkage enough to get it to the dealership and this was a new car. Oh this was my first hint. Paid for the car, go outside and start it up and drive down the street and thing cut out right in front of the dealership. So the lesson learned was if I had waited till CR had came out I wouldn't have bought a seriously bad car. yet I have been disapointed with them on the RX. Mine is an 04 and I still like the car. I don't like the noisey tires but this is a sports car and looks great.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

What's sad is that CR listed the FWD Mazdaspeed 3 as the best sports/sporty car.

Halo car?

Ploppity Drown

Actually, the 2004's just fell off of the chart. CR projects reliability based on the previous three years. So for 2008 they look at data from 2005, 2006, and 2007.

There was insufficient data for the '07s, and I would assume that they are more reliable than the previous years. So once that data set fills out, we'll see the projected reliability go even higher. (This means, as well, that they are underestimating the reliability of the '08 model.)

I hope to see that happen in the Auto Issue in April, but realistically it may not be until next November, when they'll be rating the '09s. (New rotary vehicle in '09?)

And although it's clear that many RX-8 shoppers disregard Consumer Reports, their good press generally coincides with successful models. (See Civic, Accord, Camry, WRX, Miata...) Of course, CR's (or any automotive publication's) influence on the market is debatable, especially in certain segments. Compared to other automotive publications, they tend to emphasize fuel economy and reliability, which is likely why they don't rate the RX-8 more highly.

In any case, I really look forward to Mazda's next rotary vehicle. I think with improving reliability, and a rotary with more power, less emissions, and more MPG the next RX could be a huge hit, and a boon to continued development of this sensational engine.