Americans’ satisfaction with their cars and trucks hit an all-time high in the second quarter, according to a new study by the University of Michigan cited by the Detroit News. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated autos 81 on a 100-point scale, up 1.3 percent over the same period last year. Toyota sat atop the list of automakers with a score of 87 for the second straight year. However, U.S. automakers manage to narrow the gap, with Buick rising to an 86, GMC to an 82, and Chevrolet up to the industry average of 81. Unfortunately, Saturn, Pontiac, Dodge, Jeep, and Ford all ranked below the median. What’s more, Ford tied Kia for last palce with 77 points.
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08/15, 1:25 PM
posted by:
Penny Tentiary
Please, the worst is only 10% below the best, how do you measure satisfaction any way. More bogus lists for people who cannot rationalise a purchase any other way
08/15, 1:53 PM
posted by:
Jay
HOLY CRAP! Ford in about the same range as Kia… wow they must be doing bad…
08/15, 2:34 PM
posted by:
Carsfeverguy
I always like how toyota tops these things… Maybe.. Just maybe.. the people answering these surveys that have toyotas don’t actually know ANYTHING about cars. (or care…) and hence can’t mention anything wrong with their cars because they don’t know how things are supposed to be.
I once talked to a buddy driving a corola. His comments ran along the lines of.. “yeah, my dad changes the oil every once in a while, I don’t know how anything works. I just get from place to place.” -> Truly enthusiastic thinking if you ask me, and really quite the descriptor we ought to take as an example of how to like our cars.
08/15, 2:46 PM
posted by:
Merkin Madness
That’s the only reason I can explain why DCX is not bottom of the list Carsfeverguy
08/15, 3:11 PM
posted by:
raptor
yes everyone who buys a toyota(2nd car company in the world in sales) doesnt know what their talking about. Great point carfeverguy
08/15, 3:15 PM
posted by:
Carsfeverguy
umm, thank you for your approval raptor
seriously though, go for a drive through a crowded area, and look at them, sitting in that beige box, brainless…
08/15, 3:18 PM
posted by:
BCM
Ford may be below average, but Lincoln-Mercury was above (83).
This survey (which covers many categories of products and services, not just cars) does show a very narrow range between highest and lowest for automobiles, and most products; basically, most buyers of all brands are generally satisfied. To give an idea of scores outside the auto industry: Dell, 77; Apple, 83; Yahoo, 76; Google, 81; Whirlpool, 82; GE, 82.
08/15, 3:25 PM
posted by:
Arne
“Truly enthusiastic thinking if you ask me, and really quite the descriptor we ought to take as an example of how to like our cars.”
Not everyone can love the same things as you do. So drop that sarcastic tone.
“seriously though, go for a drive through a crowded area, and look at them, sitting in that beige box, brainless…”
And what are they supposed to do? Keep screaming “YEAH, I LOVE THIS CAR!” while gesturing heavily? Not everyone is such a nutcase.
08/15, 3:34 PM
posted by:
Carsfeverguy
Arne.. why are you on here? …if you don’t have that bug which makes us all nutcases.
08/15, 4:29 PM
posted by:
Arne
Look in the mirror while you are in your car. If you see a guy yelling “I LOVE THIS CAR” all the time, then your initial point is valid. Otherwise, the “brainless” look of those people can also be on your face.
08/15, 4:33 PM
posted by:
Pocket Pool
Satisfactionn is subjective, i.e it cannot be quantified which is why ice dancing and synchronized swimming are not sports. I can be very satisfied with my purchase of a Mercedes-Benz as I have finally realized an ambition, even if it breaks down, whereas I could be dissatisfied with a reliable Caliber (oxymoron i know) because it was all I could afford
08/15, 5:15 PM
posted by:
A non E mussssss
I am increasingly satisfied with my TrailBlazer even though I have done 2 sun-gear replacments, a tranny and a rear axle within 50,000 miles. It is still a dream to own and I wouldn’t trade it for anything (except maybe a new GMT-900 SUV or Hummer)
08/15, 6:03 PM
posted by:
Ed
My own personal experience with a 2001 Lincoln LS (leased new) was so far and above my experience with my 2004 Acura TL that if the survey were based on my experience alone, Honda would rank near the bottom of the list (definitely above Pontiac but well below Lincoln, BMW and yes, even plain old Ford).
08/15, 6:18 PM
posted by:
Paul D.
Too bad. My TL was one of the best cars I have ever owned. Not perfect, but very well built, quick and the 6-speed gearbox kicked ass. But the Lincoln LS was also a great car, too bad Ford let it sit so long without updates
It had SO much potential. But then again, we also got the current DEW98 Mustang out of it so I can’t be too disappointed.
08/15, 6:20 PM
posted by:
Paul D.
BTW, forgot to mention that my TL was traded for my current 330i because I wanted a rear driver, not because I didn’t like the car.
08/15, 6:57 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
I love all 8 of my Hummers
08/15, 8:04 PM
posted by:
GL
The WORST car I ever bought was a Ford mustang GT.. In less than 28,000 miles the CD player quit working the transmission went out and the clutch as well and so did the brakes twice.. it was a serious piece of ****.. and no its NOT how i was driving the car either as i currently have a corvette with 60,000 miles and it still has all its parts and the brakes havent needed to be done either or the clutch… Last place for Ford quality sounds just about right for me from personal expierience.
08/15, 11:06 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Remember the “at Ford, quality is job one” slogan? Well, they didn’t finish the job, that’s all.
08/16, 12:49 AM
posted by:
NoName
Could it be that people are getting used to the bad quality? I think it is very possible.
08/16, 7:31 AM
posted by:
Renton
People who buy American cars have lower expectations than their foreign car driving counterparts.
They are easier to please.
08/16, 9:44 AM
posted by:
ooodaddy
RENTON,
You never fail to amaze me you are without a doubt the biggest dip **** that uses this site. Awhile back i suggested you get a neck handle to pull your head out of your ass, advice you should have heeded my friend
08/16, 10:45 AM
posted by:
1234
Could it be that all those “brainless beige” drivers of Toyotas and Hondas sitting in traffic appear worry-free about their autos because their vehicles run perfectly for years with only oil changes and they have more important things to think about?
08/16, 10:58 AM
posted by:
Renton
ooodaddy- I’m hardly the biggest dip **** here. You for one, outshine me regularly. I am an opinionated asshole no doubt. I certainly do not carry a dying torch for crappy construction.
How other than low expectations and blinders could someone buy an American vehicle with their hard earned cash when better product is at the foreign dealership for similar money?
When they build a better car I’ll be there.
ooodaddy, if you drove a nice German of Jap car, you would not be so angry.
08/16, 7:23 PM
posted by:
Troyota
Why is it we can’t have adult discussions about topics and have some good “verbal jousts” without descending back into SEVENTH GRADE!?! Come on…We can all have our own opinions and use fact and even some opinion on topics. But seriously, do we have to make sophomoric and even baseless comments and jab at each other? That’s what liberals do; they make arguments and statements based on emotion and rhetoric instead of on logic and fact. Oops! Did I say that?!?