TOM WALKER wrote to ROY WITT:

 RW> RW> AB>>>     I have to find a "very affordable" used car for a
 RW> RW> AB>>> family member (somewhere between US$ 1,000 and 2,500?)
 RW> RW> AB>>> Ideally an old hatchback or perhaps a subcompact sedan.  At
 RW> RW> AB>>> this price point I realise that whatever he buys should be
 RW> RW> AB>>> considered a temporary vehicle but if it lasts him a year
 RW> RW> AB>>> or two, that would really help him out of a difficult spot.

 RW> RW>>> My advice would be to go to a supermarket or a dedicated book
 RW> RW>>> store and find a copy of an automotive consumer's report. Also
 RW> RW>>> find a copy of "Blue Book" automotive values. Some cars are
 RW> RW>>> created equal and others are bad news. You'll get the idea once
 RW> RW>>> you read blue book values.

 RW> TW>> Just checked my 2013 CR Buyers guide.

 RW> TW>> Basicly look for a Toyota or a Honda and AVOID a GM or Chrylser
 RW> TW>> and most other Foreigh Cars

 RW>> Which is typical for Consumers Reports...they must have Japanese
 RW>> owners or a majority of share holders, since they have never
 RW>> recommended American vehicles. Never in the last 50 years that I've
 RW>> scanned their pages. And Japanese cars used to be no better than
 RW>> their 'beer can' toys.

 TW> Well the Stats do not LIE,

They do when you get them from CR...

 TW> and they are compiled from actual Owners opinions NOT the Editorial
 TW> Staff.

BS - watch the CR TV program and tell us how many owners are interviewed
there. If they wanted to reach a large audience, then that is where such
lies would be more convincing. Magazine circulation doesn't even compete.

 TW> YES Japanese cars used to be pretty bad. I embember the origional
 TW> Toyo Pet cars imported to Hawaii. But things have changed. With out a
 TW> doubt, despite what you GM lovers think, the Toyota and Honda are
 TW> better quality cars than the GM or Chrysler Product.

Another lie. You forget that I worked in the industry for a time. What I
witnessed to be true isn't what you're saying.

 TW> The Only down side is that the Toyota and Hondas cost more on the
 TW> Used Car Market becasue of the Superior Quality.

They cost more because they initially cost more. That may not be due to
any of them taking high profits, but it is certainly a possibilty.

 TW> And as a side note the CU 2002-2011 "Used Cars To Avoid" listing has
 TW> 30 Chevrolet models on it where as Toyota has 3 and Honda 2.

I wouldn't give any positive credit to anything CU prints...


         R\%/itt


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