Who makes the most reliable new cars? • Hacker News Board

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#561

Post by to11mtm » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:50 AM UTC

nebula8804 wrote: post #509

to11mtm wrote: post #294

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think a lot of companies started 'getting it right' during that time. FBOW however, the increasing demands of Fuel Economy and emissions standards led to a lot of poorly-executed moves for various companies from a reliability standpoint; Sometimes it's dual clutch transmissions or CVTs, sometimes it's stuff like cylinder deactivation or a cheaped out Turbo 4 or 3 cylinder design. And then, all the speeds on an auto…

To me it feels like Mazda did it right even though they got a lot of crap for it. Still feels like they are a hidden gem. What they did was focus on fleet average . Their thesis was whats the point of being green if you still are selling gas guzzling hogs and you just sell some garbage EV to offset them. So what they did was first drop their pickup truck and then develop a smooth and efficient 4 cylinder engine mated…

Mazda does OK. They did have their own missteps (a diesel) but they at least haven't been Toyota'd like Subaru.

> Their thesis was whats the point of being green if you still are selling gas guzzling hogs and you just sell some garbage EV to offset them.

Ford doesn't do this, but at the same time I find it hilariously suspicious that despite the success of the Maverick, there doesn't seem to be any messaging about increasing capacity. And I say that because even as an early adopter -most- problems have been in the 'I can still drive it' category. And yet they won't increase production.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#562

Post by chubs » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:50 AM UTC

pbhowmic wrote: post #557

I find it remarkable that Mercedes-Benz is near the bottom of the list.

My mechanic who specialises in Euro cars told me to avoid buying one, for one piece of anecdata.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#563

Post by brailsafe » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:52 AM UTC

lotsofpulp wrote: post #527

kyrra wrote: post #522

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you miss my point. When CAFE standards drastically increase the price of small cars, it impacts choice. It's similar to house prices. The more regulations you pile on, the more things cost. While those things are seen as "good", it removes choice and increases cost.

I understand what you are saying, but I predict removing or fixing those regulations will not change anything (other than increased fuel or weight taxes), because the underlying reason remains the same. People (in general) prefer sitting higher up and being in bigger vehicles.

> People (in general) prefer sitting higher up and being in bigger vehicles

I don't think that in isolation people broadly prefer bigger vehicles, but in the context of other people having bigger vehicles, a circular problem exists, with people feeling like they're in ever increasing danger behind the wheel if they have a small car but are surrounded by behemoths. If it weren't contextually dependent, I don't think it would be a relatively recent phenomenon, since big vehicles have always been available, and I think you'd see people getting large vehicles despite what's common around them, in terms of both geography and what's on the road. I'd prefer a larger vehicle if I was driving around polar bear country, and I think every other car on the road in North America is a metaphorical polar bear.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#564

Post by diogenescynic » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:53 AM UTC

I wish Volvo's were more reliable. Their safety record is appealing.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#565

Post by yurishimo » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:54 AM UTC

FinnKuhn wrote: post #324

Interestingly a similar study from Germany for 2022 has some very different results and I need to say I prefer their way of measuring things, as the ADAC (the equivalent of AAA) has looked at how many cars needed actual help on the road in comparison to registered cars, so minor problems don’t count and you can say things about the longtime reliability of manufacturers. However some differences probably stem from dif…

There are very few Toyotas on that list. Isn’t that a good thing? The ANWB in neighboring NL has a similar report and Toyota scores extremely high on their lists (as in, they very rarely need any sort of roadside assistance).

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#566

Post by eru » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:54 AM UTC

digdugdirk wrote: post #555

orwin wrote: post #546

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a US thing, pedestrian safety continued to improve in France (mainly caused by infrastructure improvements), but we are starting to have the same sized cars, with the same issues)

I've always understood the US's giant car problem was an unintended consequence of the CAFE fuel efficiency legislation, why is Europe getting caught up in the giant car fad? I'd imagine that'd be much more obvious of a terrible idea when the streets are half the size.

CAFE standards have a loophole for SUVs, don't they?

Those standards are pretty silly, even without the loopholes. They should just tax CO2 emissions (or petrol), and let the market sort it out.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#567

Post by diogenescynic » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:55 AM UTC

Tactical45 wrote: post #53

I wonder if hybrid being more reliable than gasoline cars is simply a function of most of those being Toyota, versus any effect stemming from the car being Hybrid.

This is a great question!

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#568

Post by yurishimo » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:55 AM UTC

riku_iki wrote: post #493

bagels wrote: post #382

My parents bought a new Chrysler because "It's american". Transmission failure a few months in, and out of commission for 6 months. Not surprised to see them in last.

you can tell them that toyotas are produced in US nowdays..

Assembled* in the US. Many of the engines are built in Japan and shipped around the world to be installed in local factories to avoid import tariffs.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#569

Post by secabeen » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 3:58 AM UTC

supportengineer wrote: post #399

denvaar wrote: post #343

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> extremely mechanical 4Runner Same sentiment for my washer/dryer. Bought an older (used) set for $300, They have lasted 7 years so far, which is in addition to however long they were in use before: I would guess at least 7 more. Seems like lots of people lament how things like cars, refrigerators, washers, etc. are becoming less mechanical and more electronic. Maybe there's a market for "bespoke" mechanical items.

My base level Kenmore washer and dryer are over 20 years old. When it's time to replace them I would only consider Speed Queen.

SQs are reliable, and pretty robust. However, it is important to know that the top-loader agitator models and are popular on the Internet use quite a lot of water and are pretty hard on clothing. You may keep the SQ longer, but a modern front-loader may allow you to keep your existing clothing longer.

Re: Who makes the most reliable new cars?

#570

Post by diogenescynic » Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 4:00 AM UTC

algidagreen wrote: post #106

Very weird that Volvo Cars, from the land of Spotify and all the other unicorns, has such huge problems with reliability (they consistently rank one of the lowest in the reliability due to infotainment/computer problems). They must be doing something really wrong. All that talent in Sweden and they can't make it stable? The stock has been tanking massively for a while now. Anyone knows whats up? Did they outsource th…

I really like Volvo's for their safety record (XC90 has never had a fatal crash I believe), but the reliability scares me away... I wish car companies just offered a "dumb" version without the infotainment package.