Unbiased car reviews where?
January 30, 2023 7:27 PM Subscribe
Where do you find unbiased new car reviews? Is it still mainly Consumer Reports (which requires a paid subscription) or is there anything newer/better/free?
This is me, and I'll likely be speedily buying a car, which is something I usually deliberate for a good long time about, so that's why I'm asking.
This is me, and I'll likely be speedily buying a car, which is something I usually deliberate for a good long time about, so that's why I'm asking.
Do you currently have a mechanic you trust? Ask for a consult. They'll probably do you one for free bc it's worth it to retain your custom.
The mechanics of my acquaintance are extremely up on what cars are good/bad to work on, get parts for, get tools for (more and more), how long they last, what are their weak points (like one really cheap part that ruins an otherwise bulletproof system).
This might not help for a completely new model, but it will help to sort out which model upgrades are bullshit and which are beneficial; which models are being consolidated or killed for good or bullshit reasons, etc. Mechanics (generally) fucking love cars and they will usually know.
posted by toodleydoodley at 7:53 PM on January 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
The mechanics of my acquaintance are extremely up on what cars are good/bad to work on, get parts for, get tools for (more and more), how long they last, what are their weak points (like one really cheap part that ruins an otherwise bulletproof system).
This might not help for a completely new model, but it will help to sort out which model upgrades are bullshit and which are beneficial; which models are being consolidated or killed for good or bullshit reasons, etc. Mechanics (generally) fucking love cars and they will usually know.
posted by toodleydoodley at 7:53 PM on January 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Honestly, you'll likely have pretty good luck by simply going to youtube, searching for "(car name) review" and then sorting by view count.
The main bias you'll run into, that's worth factoring in as you watch and read reviews, is that car reviewers tend to be driving enthusiasts, and therefore will often place more emphasis on performance and handling, versus day-to-day practicality.
C&D's website is also worth checking - especially for the long-term tests where they keep review cars around for months and put thousands of miles on them.
posted by kickingtheground at 7:56 PM on January 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
The main bias you'll run into, that's worth factoring in as you watch and read reviews, is that car reviewers tend to be driving enthusiasts, and therefore will often place more emphasis on performance and handling, versus day-to-day practicality.
C&D's website is also worth checking - especially for the long-term tests where they keep review cars around for months and put thousands of miles on them.
posted by kickingtheground at 7:56 PM on January 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
nthing Car and Driver . I often use "make model host:caranddriver.com" as a search term in Google, for example "Buick Regal Tourx host:caranddriver.com" , to find their reviews of a specific car. You could add model year in there too, if you like, but once you find a review for one model year, often their articles have links to other years. I find C&D to be pretty objective; they lean a little hard on the 'fun/sporty to drive' aspect, but the reviews are good and as kickingtheground mentions, for some cars they do a 40,000 mile test.
posted by TimHare at 9:22 PM on January 30, 2023
posted by TimHare at 9:22 PM on January 30, 2023
Motor Trend is the other long-term player in this field, though they have the same bias toward fun-to-drive that most of the non-CR auto press shares. It's easy enough to read around that, though.
There's also A Girl's Guide to Cars, The Truth About Cars, Jalopnik, and The Autopian, which are all independent but have their own biases (but not toward any particular manufacturer or anything like that).
(This is a bit of an aside, but Consumer Reports has a focus on practicality and economy that pushes aside the emotional and other reasons people might have for choosing what is probably the second-most-expensive thing they own.
You probably don't want to buy something unreliable, and they're helpful with that (so is J.D. Power), but you don't necessarily want the white four-cylinder Accord/Camry or mid-sized CUV they're going to suggest to like 90% of people.
You might want something with leather seats, or something that works well for your hobbies, or even something that's good at long fast highway cruising or twisty backroads--and there's nothing wrong with any of those choices.)
posted by box at 5:50 AM on January 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
There's also A Girl's Guide to Cars, The Truth About Cars, Jalopnik, and The Autopian, which are all independent but have their own biases (but not toward any particular manufacturer or anything like that).
(This is a bit of an aside, but Consumer Reports has a focus on practicality and economy that pushes aside the emotional and other reasons people might have for choosing what is probably the second-most-expensive thing they own.
You probably don't want to buy something unreliable, and they're helpful with that (so is J.D. Power), but you don't necessarily want the white four-cylinder Accord/Camry or mid-sized CUV they're going to suggest to like 90% of people.
You might want something with leather seats, or something that works well for your hobbies, or even something that's good at long fast highway cruising or twisty backroads--and there's nothing wrong with any of those choices.)
posted by box at 5:50 AM on January 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Edmunds.com reviews seem pretty decent, but Consumer Reports is the gold standard for no conflicts of interest if you're looking for a grocery getter type car.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 6:04 AM on January 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 6:04 AM on January 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
Autogefühl and autogefuel If a car is available anywhere in Europe then they probably have a detailed review for it. They are particularly good at pointing out small design differences in addition to the usual dimensions, practicality and performance stuff.
posted by Lanark at 6:11 AM on January 31, 2023
posted by Lanark at 6:11 AM on January 31, 2023
Is there a mechanic or two you could talk to? My independent mechanic has really great, honest & reliable advice.
posted by smorgasbord at 11:35 AM on January 31, 2023
posted by smorgasbord at 11:35 AM on January 31, 2023
carcomplaints.com is good for finding known problems. Of course diminishing returns for new model cars, until people discover the issues
posted by couchdive at 12:11 PM on January 31, 2023
posted by couchdive at 12:11 PM on January 31, 2023
Also check out TrueDelta. I have been reporting on my vehicles there for over a decade now.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 5:58 AM on February 2, 2023
posted by rabbitrabbit at 5:58 AM on February 2, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:39 PM on January 30, 2023 [19 favorites]