Honda Sweeps Vincentric's Top Ten Cars: Value and Reliability

A recent Vincentric study has been featured at Forbes.com under the title "Ten Toughest Cars On The Road."

It confirms my opinion of Honda.

To be considered for Vincentric's top-10 list, NHTSA safety ratings of 4 stars and an IIHS "good" rating were prerequisites.

A minimum 70 "very good" Consumer Reports' 2007 reliability rating was another cull factor.

Owner satisfaction in the first 90 days was based on Strategic Vision's 2007 New Vehicle Experience Study.

And Vincentric's own estimated 5 year repair costs including warranties were used.

1. Honda Odyssey

   Odessy's Consumer Reports (CR) 91 Road Test Score, 22 problems per 100 vehicles, 14% owners reporting problems, and 5-year repair bills of $686, were good for the top position.

   Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) gives Honda's minivan a 4 Star depreciation rating.

   Great numbers, but who's in the market for a minivan?

2. Honda Accord

   Honda's midsize earned a Consumer Reports Road Test Score of 88, 34 problems per 100 vehicles, 22% of owners reporting issues, and 5 year repairs running $681.

   Accord has an ALG 4 Star depreciation rating.

3. Toyota Highlander

   Highlander came in third with a CR road test of 86, 32 problems per 100 vehicles, 17% reporting problems, and five year repairs of $718.

   Automotive Lease Guide gives the Highlander a 3 Star depreciation rating.

4. Honda Civic

   Civic has a CR road test at 82, 35 problems per 100 vehicles, 25% of owners reporting problems, and $686 for 5-year repairs.

   I like Civic's futuristic styling and Automotive Lease Guide 5 Star depreciation rating.

5. Honda Pilot

   Pilot has a Consumer Reports road test at 79, 37 problems per 100 cars, 22% with problems reported, five year repairs of $686.

   ALG gives Pilot a 4 Star depreciation rating.

6. Audi A4

   CR road tested the A4 at 77, 39 problems per 100 vehicles, 25% of A4 owners reported problems, and five year repairs were $1,093.

   Audi A4 has an Automotive Lease Guide depreciation rating of 5 Stars.

7. Honda CRV

   74 on the CR road test, 31 problems per 100 vehicles, 19% reporting problems, and $686 in five year repairs landed CRV the 7th spot.

   CRV is rated five stars at ALG.

8. Volvo XC90

   The Volvo wagon got a 74 on Consumer Reports' road test, has 53 problems per 100 vehicles, 19% reporting issues, and five year repair costs of $993.

9. Subaru Forester

   Forester's 71 CR road test, 43 problems per 100 units, 28% of owners reporting problems, and half-decade repair money at $746 made the Top Ten Toughest list at number 9.

10. Acura RDX

    RDX tested 72 at CR, had 47 problems per 100 vehicles, 27% reporting problems, and five year maintenance issues of $747

So Honda dominates Vincentric's study, with six of ten places.

"Honda builds an outstanding product. They are highly reliable, and they last a long time."

Dave Wurster, president, Vincentric

Biased study?

I don't think so - Vincentric, LLC, is Detroit based (Bloomfield Hills, MI), and lists GM and Ford among its main clients.

And for those who suspect me of pro-foreign car bias, here is the disclosure;

I have no relationship with any firm, foreign or domestic.

I drive Fords - 3 of 'em.

I wouldn't touch a Toyota due to dealer arrogance and quality slippage.

Dealer arrogance disease has begun to infect Honda franchises as well, with unacceptable tactics like additional markup stickers showing up on the most popular lots.

I'm shopping for a late model low mileage used car now, from a financially-challenged private party as usual.

With millions of mortgages more than one month behind, now is the perfect time for used car shopping.

But I flat cannot find any desperate sellers of fresh Hondas. They are gone in 60 seconds.

The most frequently flagged-for-removal scammers on Craigslist are pushing "unbelievable deals" on Accords.

Since I must have a super deal, it might be a Chevy or another Mustang.

Yes, these minivans, crossovers and economical cars are boring.

Sportier 5 star depreciation cars I like that didn't make the list;

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