Consumer Reports survey for 2009 - Versa is worst small car

[arco]

The Nov. 11 issue of Consumer Reports is listing the Versa as the worst small car in its latest reliability survey.

I don't subscribe to their paid site, so I guess I'll just pick up the magazine when it comes out.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27341890/

[#1Tango]

ouch that sux

[NorCal_V]

I just don't think it's true.

[vpnavy]

What they left off was the *

* Data based on only one model year.

What year? Absolutely no clue!

What they also didn't say was that out of 34 cars - the Versa was number 14.

Then, on Used Cars to avoid (thru 2007 - nothing for 2008) - the Versa wasn't on the list.

Worst of the worst (thru 2007 - nothing for 2008) doesn't list the Versa.

Now, on the car reliability - that is very very interesting.

2007 Hatchback had Average (Power System and Fuel System Problems) - Below Average

2008 hatchback above Average (half red circle)

(Power System and Fuel System) - Average

2007 Sedan (5 below average)2008 Sedan (No rating)

If you want more specifics - let me know.

[DUCeditor]

I stopped paying attention to Consumers Reports many years back when, if memory serves, they listed the best small cars for two consecutive years a fiat 128 and then the American Motors Gremiln.

[greggie195]

I had a subscripition to CR for 1 year and it is awful! They listed a Hyundai as the number 1 car. A HYUNDAI!!!! Thats when I cancelled my subscription. It amazes me how often CR is "quoted" but they are terrible. I know quite a few people with Hyundai's that have been nothing but problems. This is my third Nissan and I love Nissan. Nissan is never listed as their top cars. CR sucks. They also ask for "donations" every other week, because they are "Not for Profit". Let me know the reliability of a Hyundai with 200K miles on it and Ill let you know the reliability of my Nissan with 200K on it. Guess which one will be more reliable.

my past cars:1986 200SX got rid of with 225,000 miles on it and engine was still in mint condition1992 Maxima got rid of with 220,000 miles on it when head gasket blown (only engine problem I ever had)

Family member past cars:2001 Hyundai Elentra was returned after 200 miles the engine seized2002 Hyundai transmission blew with 60K on it, Hyundai refused warranty.

Yalk to people who actually own the car and base your decision on that and personal experience. Not on some magazine that claims to be unbiased.

[7speed]

I agree. with ^^^ I love my V, and have only had two problems with it. The first was when the cable that opens the gas filler door (Fuel Problems?) broke, was replaced under warranty (ahem...was malfunctioning. Warranty people don't like the word broke...

The second was that the defroster on the PS mirror never worked (Power Problems?), again replaced under warranty.

I've only had one other Nissan (a Datsun, actually). It was a 1981 4x4 pickup. I learned to drive on that beast. No power steering, no power anything, and a rusted through box, but the engine and mechanical gear was bulletproof.

Not sand proof though. Got stuck in a sand bar fording a river....destroyed the bearings and brakes. My dad didn't want to pay to fix it, so off it went to the wreckers. 313,000 km, and dead because of a stupid teenage boy, not because of any fault of Nissan/Datsun.

My .02

[grogman]

I stopped paying attention to Consumers Reports many years back when, if memory serves, they listed the best small cars for two consecutive years a fiat 128 and then the American Motors Gremiln.

when i was 9 the gremlin came out and i thought that car was awesome looking. i was the kid that told my brothers in the mid sixties that mountain dew tasted great they wouldn't try it but i did. i also liked prune juice for some gawdawful reason lol.

[Slither]

I stopped paying attention to Consumers Reports many years back when, if memory serves, they listed the best small cars for two consecutive years a fiat 128 and then the American Motors Gremiln.

Fiat 128 did that bcome the Lada..?

Gremlin - I was too busy doin wheelie's on me chopper to notice any goldfish bowls...

[marleyfan]

Fiat 128 did that bcome the Lada..?

Gremlin - I was too busy doin wheelie's on me chopper to notice any goldfish bowls...

Naw....it was the Pacer that was the goldfish bowl. The Gremlin had the weird angled chopped off back end. I actually kinda liked it too. My brother-in-law had one and I always wanted it. Ended up getting an AMC Javelin later.

[Bubs daddy]

Ah yes. The Gremlin. Matador. Pacer. Ambassador. Rebel. Hornet. Javelin. The AMC Jeep.

[Slither]

Naw....it was the Pacer that was the goldfish bowl. The Gremlin had the weird angled chopped off back end. I actually kinda liked it too. My brother-in-law had one and I always wanted it. Ended up getting an AMC Javelin later.

me too busy doing wheelie's.

[BBISHOPPCM]

Th

Fiat 128 did that bcome the Lada..?

Gremlin - I was too busy doin wheelie's on me chopper to notice any goldfish bowls...

The Fiat 128 became the Yugo GV, after the stamps and engine dies and tooling were sold to Zastava of Yugoslavia.

[Slither]

Yeppa I just checked Wikipedia it was the Fiat 124 that became the Lada.

Back to topic Re: Consumers

I've had my V over 2 years - no warranty claims.

It's all a question of luck you can get a Toyota that's a lemon or a Ford that runs for years.

[vpnavy]

Yeppa I just checked Wikipedia it was the Fiat 124 that became the Lada.

Back to topic Re: Consumers

I've had my V over 2 years - no warranty claims.

It's all a question of luck you can get a Toyota that's a lemon or a Ford that runs for years.

I completey agree. I've had my 2007 Sedan since June 2007 and have 24K on her - absolutely no problems. Yea, I get a few clunks and had to have the hub caps replaced (dealer broke them and replaced them) but the ride has been super.

[Nismo V]

Consumer Reports has always been suspect to me, there are far too many free car reviews online from reputable sources to determine the quality of any given car.I test drove the Fit, Yaris, xA before I bought a Versa they all sucked big time Yaris cheap interior sluggish acceleration, xA way to small and weak as well, the Fit also slower and the whole magic seat thing is way overplayed just a bench style seat that folds a little lower then the old xB did, funny thing the new xB rear seat is removable now that's magic...

Consumer Reports

[fathertoall]

I have had my 2007 Versa SL Sedan for 13K miles and am extremely pleased. I haven't had the first problem and the car is a pleasure to drive and ride in. For the price I paid the dealer I almost feel guilty for all that it came with. I routinely get 30 mpg or better combined city and highway. CR has always been biased in their approval of particular cars. Maybe things have changed at the Mexican Plant but when they built my V they did a great job. No rattles or issues.

[vpnavy]

Maybe things have changed at the Mexican Plant but when they built my V they did a great job. No rattles or issues.

Try driving your ride between 55 and 60 and see what you mileage is.

98.4 Miles - 55 MPH - 42.78 MPG - August 25th, 2007

I consistantly break 40 MPG when I keep her below 60 MPG on 200 mile trips. I should say that that is no City driving. I fill her up on the highway and reset the Odometer and compute the mileage next time I pull off the highway for gas.

When I combine her in the City/Hwy - I consistantly get between 30/34 MPG. My ride didn't come with CVT just a standard 4 Speed (the plant ran out of CVTs).

[iluvmyVersa08]

I had a subscripition to CR for 1 year and it is awful! They listed a Hyundai as the number 1 car. A HYUNDAI!!!! Thats when I cancelled my subscription. It amazes me how often CR is "quoted" but they are terrible. I know quite a few people with Hyundai's that have been nothing but problems. This is my third Nissan and I love Nissan. Nissan is never listed as their top cars. CR sucks. They also ask for "donations" every other week, because they are "Not for Profit". Let me know the reliability of a Hyundai with 200K miles on it and Ill let you know the reliability of my Nissan with 200K on it. Guess which one will be more reliable.

my past cars:1986 200SX got rid of with 225,000 miles on it and engine was still in mint condition1992 Maxima got rid of with 220,000 miles on it when head gasket blown (only engine problem I ever had)

Family member past cars:2001 Hyundai Elentra was returned after 200 miles the engine seized2002 Hyundai transmission blew with 60K on it, Hyundai refused warranty.

Yalk to people who actually own the car and base your decision on that and personal experience. Not on some magazine that claims to be unbiased.

I agree with you ... Hyundais suck! That is why the Accent has been selling for under $10,000 brand new!My previous car, before my Versa, was a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (2 door) ... It took me around where I had to go, but the cars have no guts / no power. Honestly, when the A/C is being used, the car does not want to move and go forward. I traded it in with 150,000 km ... Hyundais have no value. As soon as you drive them off the lot they are worthless. My Accent was in pristine condition but who wants an Accent!? No one! And I test drove an 08 Accent and it felt like I was driving my 01 Accent. In 7 or so years, they have not improved their cars at all. The ride was so bumpy and noisy. Not a smooth car at all. The only reason I had an Accent in the past was because my dad bought it used for me to drive to and from university. (I commuted over 2 hours each day to get to and from school). I thought I would give it another chance by test driving the new one, but it wasn't worth the money. I would much rather spend the extra money on a decent car, so I went with the Versa which I absolutely LOVE Best decision I ever made!!!!!

[greggie195]

I agree with you ... Hyundais suck! That is why the Accent has been selling for under $10,000 brand new!My previous car, before my Versa, was a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (2 door) ... It took me around where I had to go, but the cars have no guts / no power. Honestly, when the A/C is being used, the car does not want to move and go forward. I traded it in with 150,000 km ... Hyundais have no value. As soon as you drive them off the lot they are worthless. My Accent was in pristine condition but who wants an Accent!? No one! And I test drove an 08 Accent and it felt like I was driving my 01 Accent. In 7 or so years, they have not improved their cars at all. The ride was so bumpy and noisy. Not a smooth car at all. The only reason I had an Accent in the past was because my dad bought it used for me to drive to and from university. (I commuted over 2 hours each day to get to and from school). I thought I would give it another chance by test driving the new one, but it wasn't worth the money. I would much rather spend the extra money on a decent car, so I went with the Versa which I absolutely LOVE Best decision I ever made!!!!!

I hear this all the time from Hyundai owners, except for 1 person who loves his. CR doesnt seem to take anyone's opinion into account except their own

[Bubs daddy]

I've had the Versa for almost 2 years and it's been a pretty good car.

I've also had a Hyundai Sonata and it was as a reliable car as any I've owned and driven.

[Ever Victorious]

I just don't think it's true.

Take it from someone who has had TWO Versas that were lemons.

It's true.

Gremlin - I was too busy doin wheelie's on me chopper to notice any goldfish bowls...

Yeesh, you can't even insult the model right. The Pacer was the goldfish bowl, not the Gremlin.

Maybe things have changed at the Mexican Plant but when they built my V they did a great job. No rattles or issues.

Wait another 10k or so before you count your chickens. Versa #2 developed significant rattling at the dash-window line at about 21k miles.

I agree with you ... Hyundais suck! That is why the Accent has been selling for under $10,000 brand new!

No, that would be because of competition and loss-leader sales.

Quote »My previous car, before my Versa, was a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (2 door) ... It took me around where I had to go, but the cars have no guts / no power. Honestly, when the A/C is being used, the car does not want to move and go forward. [/quote]And the new upcoming 1.6L Versa will be no different. Their power ratings and curves are virtually identical. Except the Accent is lighter, so the 1.6L Versa HAS to have the 6-speed to even match pace.

Not that speed is what you want in an economy car.

I also wouldn't trust the 6-speed as far as I could throw it, after what happened to Versa #2. Never again will I own a cable-selector manual transmission.

Odd day for me to poke my head back on this board. Seeing this thread made me log in and complain about mine again. Bad times, bad times.

Oh, and for those of you that still remember me and give half a rat's arse... I've been in the Kia just over 3 months now. My driving rate has increased to be on pace to hit 40,000 miles in just the first year. 11.5k miles on it right now. It has never been to the shop for warranty repairs, only routine maintenance.

By this point, Versa #1 had been to the repair shop FIVE times under warranty, been hit by a Ford, and traded in. By this point, Versa #2 had been in the shop twice under warranty, but sadly the rate accelerated dramatically after that.

The Kia has been superior in almost every aspect to both Versas. It's tied in fuel economy, despite having an automatic. Its only gripe point is that it's not as comfortable to sleep in as the V... but I will GLADLY trade the comfort in exchange for the quantum leap in reliability.

[Bubs daddy]

I haven't had the problems with my Versa that EV had with his but I have experienced owning a Hyundai and it was reliable as it gets. Never had a problem with it.

The fit and finish was excellent. Certainly as good as any Honda or Toyota and for the price, like the Versa, the Hyundai offered many more features for the money than other comparable cars.

I know of a few people who have had their Hyundais and Kias with high mileage and they are very pleased with the reliability and value.

Hyundais of 10 or 12 years ago were rough around the edges and the reliability was spotty but they have narrowed the quality gap considerably.

In fact, it is Hyundai and Kia that have attracted first time new car buyers at an amazing rate because they have been building a reputation of reliability, quality and value.

Honda and Toyota are taking them seriously as they have taken a lot of sales from the two Japanese car giants.

The fit and finish on my Sonata was superb and it was loaded with stuff that cost thousands more on comparable cars. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Hyundai at all.
Modified by Bubs daddy at 10:21 AM 11/1/2008

[Bubs daddy]

Hyundai/Kia is a force to be reckoned with:

From autoblog:

Less than a decade ago, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was ranked 11th in the world in total sales volume. According to the latest publishing of the Automotive News 2008 Global Data Book, the automaker has impressively passed Honda to take 5th position.

To climb six positions in just eight years isn't a simple accomplishment as it required stepping over such global automakers as Fiat, Chrysler, PSA/Peugeot, Nissan, and Honda. Last year, Hyundai-Kia sold 3,961,629 automobiles worldwide (Hyundai sold 467,000, and Kia 305,473 in the United States alone).

While they still have a long way before they reach 4th position currently held by Ford (global sales of 5,964,000 in 2007), their move into other markets as witnessed by the luxurious 2009 Hyundai Genesis and the group's favorable June automotive sales (even in a depressed market) demonstrate the increasing strength of the Korean automaker.

[Slither]

Tsk tsk EV feeling all sour grapes are we?

Never mind life's worked out for you and you've moved on.

Ta ta.