2009 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study-Lexus receives awards for IS, GS, GX, LS & LX
06-26-09, 10:55 PM
#61
Congrats to Lexus for getting to the top again, especially considering they were #2 to Porsche for several years. Although this is the IQS, which is only for the initial factory impression...after the survey change I wasn't sure if Lexus would be able to take the top spot from Porsche (IIRC they would still have ranked tops if not for the survey change, letting Porsche get ahead). Now it seems they also got the Platinum award back, but not to Tahara, instead to Higashi Fuji (SC 430 production). And kudos to the LX 570 for taking the best overall vehicle award; previously was the LS 430 and the SC 430.
06-29-09, 07:01 PM
#62
Lexus Fanatic
Mini laughs off last place quality rankings.
Looks like mini has a BIG problem
The carmaker owned by Germany's BMW AG has seen sales fall over the last year but has snapped up market share from its bigger rivals. On Monday, it announced plans to open 17 new dealerships across the country.
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Mark Lennihan / AP
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J.D. Power’s 2009 Initial Quality Study shows the quality of vehicles built for American consumers has improved this year, but imported brands are still top of the list.
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updated 1:02 p.m. PT, Sun., June 28, 2009
NEW YORK - For Mini, the maker of sporty — if sometimes eccentric — pint-sized hatchbacks, landing at the bottom of another closely watched vehicle quality study this week is almost a point of pride.
Mini says it deliberately engineers quirks into its cars, like oddly placed dashboard controls or unusual interior lighting, that drag down its ratings in such studies. But Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini's U.S. operations, said those design features are central to the brand's personality.
"Mini has some idiosyncrasies that we engineer into our cars," said Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini's U.S. operations. "We want to make our cars remarkable little cars."
The carmaker owned by Germany's BMW AG has seen sales fall over the last year but has snapped up market share from its bigger rivals. On Monday, it announced plans to open 17 new dealerships across the country.
View related photos
Mark Lennihan / AP
Interactive
Most reliable cars
J.D. Power’s 2009 Initial Quality Study shows the quality of vehicles built for American consumers has improved this year, but imported brands are still top of the list.
Most popular
Most viewed Top rated Most e-mailed
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Most viewed on msnbc.com
updated 1:02 p.m. PT, Sun., June 28, 2009
NEW YORK - For Mini, the maker of sporty — if sometimes eccentric — pint-sized hatchbacks, landing at the bottom of another closely watched vehicle quality study this week is almost a point of pride.
Mini says it deliberately engineers quirks into its cars, like oddly placed dashboard controls or unusual interior lighting, that drag down its ratings in such studies. But Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini's U.S. operations, said those design features are central to the brand's personality.
"Mini has some idiosyncrasies that we engineer into our cars," said Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini's U.S. operations. "We want to make our cars remarkable little cars."
06-29-09, 07:38 PM
#63
Lexus Fanatic
I have no clue why this mini thread was merged. Its a different company all together
*** it's merged because it's from the SAME study on ALL auto manufacturers ***
*** it's merged because it's from the SAME study on ALL auto manufacturers ***
Last edited by Gojirra99; 06-29-09 at 07:50 PM.
06-30-09, 09:33 AM
#64
Lexus Champion
Initial quality means very little in my book. My Fusion was great for a few months, then all hell broke loose and off and that POS rated great in initial quality.
Who purchases a car for 3 months? Initial quality is not a bullet proof indicator of long term reliability.
Who purchases a car for 3 months? Initial quality is not a bullet proof indicator of long term reliability.
06-30-09, 01:17 PM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
Mini isn't "flavor of the month" currently.....
06-30-09, 01:30 PM
#67
Lexus Fanatic
The CR form goes out once a year to paying subscribers, and includes not only new/used cars but appliances and a number of other things as well. You simply check off what you bought and your experiences with it. If you didn't buy anything, of course, there is nothing to fill out.
06-30-09, 05:46 PM
#69
Lexus Fanatic
06-30-09, 06:07 PM
#70
Lexus Fanatic
The Mini Clubman I reviewed recently didn't have any audible squeaks or rattles, but otherwise did not seem particularly tightly screwed together. A number of the interior and exterior trim parts, besides their obvious quirkiness, had a somewhat cheap, loose feel.
06-30-09, 11:42 PM
#72
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
mini meet in england... 
07-01-09, 12:46 AM
#73
Lexus Test Driver
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Really? They seem remarkably well put together and really do exude the premium nature their pricetag would warrant (IMO). Body hardware is as good as any BMW. Everything just feels solid, well done. Seems to me much better than lots of other cheaper cars this size.
Okay now.. Car chat is great. I will miss the laughs
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