Based on my experience, Consumer Reports trends have not applied to me. A lot of the vehicles in the study (that I have owned) are peppered with the dreaded black dots (as opposed to the red donuts that Civics get). And, most of the cars that I have owned have been fun to drive, dependable, and much loved. "Fun to Drive" is apparently not something that Consumer Reports cares to really evaluate, which is fine because it is subjective. But, I dare say that buying a car is not like buying a refrigerator. There are a lot of intangibles about cars that make them desirable, beautiful, longed for, etc. Some cars (old Jaguars, for example) are worth a few hiccups. But, even then, I have trouble understanding why certain cars do well. Consumer Reports polls basically their members, who are of the same mind in buying cars.

A few contradictions arise, such as one car doing better than its identical twin, which are built on the same line and use the same engine, etc. How do you explain those instances, which have arisen over the past few years? And, could it be that Buick or Toyota owners enjoy solid reliability because many are from a generation that is accustomed to heavily pampering cars to keep them in running order? My guess is that most Buicks/Lexus are also garaged, driven short distances, and kept reasonably clean since most of their owners are retired, fairly well off, etc. Finally, there is the story of my Dad's Accord, which was forgiven of all kinds of trim breakage, engine mount wear, door latches breaking, etc. My Dad considered it normal wear and tear, and defended the car's reliability as excellent. Meanwhile, his previous Olds was somehow deemed "unreliable" by him, even though it never broke down. In the end, people really believe what they want to believe. And, I assume that in part, Consumer Reports continually reinforces those beliefs.