The new MALIBU looks FAR FAR better than either the Accord or Camry. Also, Toyota's reliability has really been slipping over the past few years and is going unreported. There's still a "Toyota is so reliable..." stereotype that is just applied without thinking or researching otherwise. A few coworkers of mine are preparing to trade their newer Toyotas in for Fords or GMs.
Toyota hit hard by new Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings - Autoblog
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Toyota hit hard by new Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings
So you thought Consumer Reports was biased in favor of imports, did you? Today's release of CR's 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey suggests otherwise, as the Toyota Camry V6, Tundra V8 4WD and Lexus GS AWD were all bumped from the magazine's vaunted "Recommended" list for receiving below average ratings. This news also has farther reaching effects, as CR will no longer recommend new or redesigned Toyotas based solely on the automaker's past reliability, a practice for which we dinged them back in August.
Meanwhile, Ford did very well in the new survey, with 41 out of 44 of its products scoring average or better in predicted reliability. Plus, the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Ford F-150 V6 2WD were three of the only four domestic models that earned the label of "Most Reliable".
Follow the jump to find out which other brands made quality gains in the eyes of CR subscribers.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
Overall, however, Consumer Reports states on its blog that U.S. automakers still have a way to go, with 20 out of 44 models on the "Least Reliable" list belonging to domestic automakers. The European brands including Audi, BMW, Volvo, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, are seeing improvements with specific models like the Audi A3, A4 and A6; BMW 3-, 5- and 7-Series, the Volvo S60 and Porsche 911 all earning above average ratings.
Love 'em or hate 'em, disagree with their testing and survey practices or not, but there's no denying that Consumer Reports holds a lot of sway with potential car buyers. Today's new will surely be felt by Toyota at some level, which for so long has enjoyed an unquestioned reign of superior quality that may be coming to an end soon.
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I've seen a lot of the new Malibus on the road and they look GREAT.
I'd recommend the dark grey or black:
Get the V6 with a 6-speed and 26 MPG...
Chevrolet | 2008 All New Malibu from Chevy