Yes, it's something auto watchers, both casual and professional, seem to forget quite quickly. J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study results that were released today have next to nothing to do with vehicles from model year 2008. That's not to say an automaker that out-performed its rivals in 2005 won't do it again in 2006, 2007, or 2008; only that we're talking about used cars that were sold some years ago; some of which aren't even built anymore. Widely respected as the final word on consumer issues such as this, J.D. Power & Associates suggests this year that, "finding a quality used vehicle is getting easier each year." They point to numerous factors, available for reading below in a good old fashioned GoodCarBadCar Numbers format.
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27 - total vehicle nameplates to post improved results in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study in 2008 (for MY 2005 vehicles) out of the 38 brands involved, meaning 27 automakers posted fewer problems per 100 vehicles this year than last
206 - industry average of problems per 100 vehicles over the preceding 12 months
9 - categories under which problems can fall including: (1) ride, handling, and braking; (2) sound system; (3) features and controls; (4) seats; (5) engine; (6) transmission; (7) heating, ventilation, and cooling; (8) vehicle interior; and (9) vehicle exterior
65 - fewer problems per 100 vehicles posted by Saab this year compared with last, the greatest improvement in the 2008 study.... although Saab is still ranked 33rd with 254 problems per 100 vehicles
36 - increase in problems per 100 vehicles posted by Subaru this year compared with last, the worst decline in the 2008 study, placing Subaru 22nd with 228 problems per 100 vehicles
28 - rank of Toyota subsidiary Scion, third place in the Toyota sweepstakes behind 1st place Lexus and 4th place Toyota
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