2006 vehicle quality rankings from J.D. Power

[Phlegm]

(AP) Toyota Motor Corp. continued to dominate the initial quality rankings, grabbing the top spot in 11 out of 19 segments in the 2006 survey by J.D. Power and Associates, released Wednesday.

Porsche dominated the overall ranking of brands, averaging 91 problems per 100 vehicles. That compared with an industry average of 124 problems per 100 vehicles.

The study, in its 20th year, was revamped to isolate consumers' concerns about design flaws, as distinct from defects and malfunctions. The change in methodology makes year-to-year comparisons impossible.

However, a parallel survey conducted using the old methodology found that as a whole, the industry improved 8 percent from 2005, said Joe Ivers, executive director of quality and customer satisfaction research at J.D. Power.

Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, came in second in the overall nameplate rankings, with 93 problems per 100 vehicles. The Toyota brand came in fourth with 106.

"They're the closest thing to defect-free," Ivers said of the two brands.

In vehicle segments, Toyota had five winners, including the Corolla for compact car, the Camry for midsize car, and the Sequoia for large sport utility vehicle. Lexus had six top vehicles, including the IS 250 and IS 350 for entry premium car, the SC 430 for premium sporty car and LX 470 for large premium SUV.

Of the Big Three domestic automakers, General Motors Corp. made the strongest showing. Its vehicles won in two segments _ large pickup (Chevrolet Silverado) and large car (Pontiac Grand Prix). The Chrysler Town & Country was the top-ranked van, and the Ford Ranger won for midsize pickup.

Hyundai Motor Co. scored a sleeper hit with consumers, with the Hyundai brand coming in No. 3 with an average 102 problems. The Hyundai Tucson took the top spot for compact SUV or crossover.

For the study, J.D. Power collected responses from 63,607 purchasers and lessees of new 2006 model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership.

This year's survey included 217 questions, up from 135 in previous years, and asked for information specifically about design problems, as well as defects.

BMW AG's BMW brand had few defects, but one of the highest number of complaints about design _ specifically about the way the brand integrated new technology into its vehicles, Ivers said.

[Ginzburgh]

My GF just bought a 2007 Toyota Camry SE. It's bad ass.

[Aatrex]

The new Camry looks pretty hot.

[Ginzburgh]

The SE has the ground effects, the fog lights and the bigger engine.

[Narrock]

The new Camry kicks ass fo sho.

[Captain Insano]

I always hate those surverys...


If you buy japanese or european a "problem" is that the plastic knob on one of your seat adjustments tends to crack...

When you buy a Ford the same "problem" is that the transmission falls out at 30k miles.

and the Japs still manage to run away with it.

[Markarado]

Personally I dislike the way most Toyota's look. I'm all about Honda ~

[Narrock]

Yeah, Honda makes a great product too.

[Ginzburgh]

Honda needs to update the look of their four door accord. It looks like a grandma car. Toyota suffered from this for years but just changed the Camry body style for 2007 and now it looks bad ass.

[Narrock]

I agree, Ginz. Hondas have legendary reliability, but their body designs seemed somewhat outdated and "grandma'ish" in prior years. The '06 Accords look much better though.













Base MSRP*: $29,300

Destination and Handling: $550

MSRP as Configured: $29,850

[Ginzburgh]

[Narrock]

HAHAHA they look almost identical with the exception of a few minor details. How much was your g/f's Camry?

[Ginzburgh]

They look alot different. The front and rear are totally different, the accord doesn't come with the ground effects either.

She got the Magnum Gray SE with:

Black Leather interior + heated seats
Navigation
V6
Power everything
XM radio + 1 year subscription

28,000 and change.

The dealership she bought it from gives free oil changes for the life of the car too, which is something she had to take into consideration because she drives like 3 hours round trip to work every day.

[Narrock]

They look alot different. The front and rear are totally different, the accord doesn't come with the ground effects either.

She got the Magnum Gray SE with:

Black Leather interior + heated seats
Navigation
V6
Power everything
XM radio + 1 year subscription

28,000 and change.

The dealership she bought it from gives free oil changes for the life of the car too, which is something she had to take into consideration because she drives like 3 hours round trip to work every day.

Well, if you're going to have to commute that far you might as well do it in comfort and style.

[Ginzburgh]

Yeah and she had an SUV prior to getting this so she has been putting like $150 in gas in every week.

[Drem]

every car now looks the same

[Captain Insano]

mazdas and nissans look way better then hondas.

[Narrock]

mazdas and nissans look way better then hondas.

To each his own.