JD Powers Quality Survey

[jake75]

As an amateur statistician and psychologist it is my opinion that the JD Powers report of initial quality is pretty much useless.1. For all practical purposes the differences are minor. If Toyota has 0.84 problems per 100 cars and Pontiac 1.18 problems per can that is a difference of 0.34 problems per car. Not very much really. If the price difference is $500 then that is an extra $1,500 cost per problem saved, and the problem is likely minor, not necessarily a failed transmission. Moreover, there is always a statistical error of + and -. Maybe Toyota is really 0.99 and Pontiac is really 1.03.2. I think there is a reporting bias - people with Toyota's might overlook a problem reasoning that it is an abberation whereas owners of domestics expect more problems and therefore report them all.Maybe Toyota owners do not report problems because they fear that will adversely impact the premium resale / trade-in value that they are expecting. [It would be in every car owner's financial best interest not to report problems.]Maybe a person who owns a Toyota is more of a car buff and enjoys filling out those Powers surveys, whereas a GM owner is only motivated to do so if there was a problem and wants to report it to get back at GM.I think this is evident in comparing some ratings for Vibe vs. Matrix, unless you believe there is a difference in parts supply between Nummi and Canada production. Just my 3 cents - inflation you know.

[808 Vibes]

Yeah I've always thought something was fishy when we've bought 4 new Pontiacs (and two used ones) and have never gotten a "JD Power" survey.

[gimmegimme]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »2. I think there is a reporting bias - people with Toyota's might overlook a problem reasoning that it is an abberation whereas owners of domestics expect more problems and therefore report them all.I think this probably plays a big part in why Hyundai and Kia have risen so much over the years. I'm not saying they don't make good cars (I don't actually know because I've never bought one), but when you pay a lot less for the same/more car, plus given their past reputation, you expect some issues and accept it as "normal".

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by HawaiiPontiacLover »Yeah I've always thought something was fishy when we've bought 4 new Pontiacs (and two used ones) and have never gotten a "JD Power" survey. I have always received the JD Powers survey after buying a new car - Chrysler, and Pontiac.

[Tubaryan12]

Quote, originally posted by gimmegimme »I think this probably plays a big part in why Hyundai and Kia have risen so much over the years. I'm not saying they don't make good cars (I don't actually know because I've never bought one), but when you pay a lot less for the same/more car, plus given their past reputation, you expect some issues and accept it as "normal".I've owned both Hyundai and Kia. You'd be amazed how many things you don't think of as problems when they are fixed under warranty. My 2001 Elantra went through 3 sets of front wheel bearings, but it never bothered me because they were covered under powertrain. The wife's Sonata blew a power steering hose while we were on vacation, but they fixed it and paid for the tow and rental car. When the repairs cost you nothing, they just don't seem to matter. When you have to scratch the check to get something fixed......you never forget. 60k mile bumper to bumper buys a lot of good will. 100k mile warranty buys even more.btw, other than that, they were rock solid performers, started every day, and never threw a check engine light except when the gas cap was left off. I wish I could have said that about my Vibe. God, I miss the gas mileage that thing gave me.