Can you be more specific as to the questions on the CR survey? Or are you swarn to secrecy as a Consumer Union member?
Do you think that the questions are biased to make Japanese cars look better?
My wife has had two Japanese cars an Eagle Summit Wagon and a Mazda MPV. We've had the MPV for three years now and I have taken it in for a brake recall and that's it. In seven years and 80K miles the Summit had a bit of weatherstripping, a speedo cable, and an airbag clockspring fail and that's it.
My Mystique, on the other hand, has had recurring brake problems, the main cat, an O2 sensor, and a failed bearing as the major problems in 70k miles. Everything else has been annoying things like leaks, recalls, and minor electrical problems. I have found all of the American cars that I have driven ('85 Topaz, '90 Probe (mostly American. 3L Vulcan) and my Mystique) to have strong drivetrains but poor execution on the details.
I will say this, however, I was very down on my Mystique in the near month's time it took the dealer to get the cat fixed. Now that the car is at full capability again, I have fallen in love with it all over again.
